While not all encompassing, these guides serve as a starting point to help your parents. There are many family dynamics at play when these types of planning conversations arise, so you need to be cognizant of patterns and relationships. Starting earlier will reap dividends for everyone; delaying these conversations can…
Articles Posted in Probate Court
Finances and Medicaid Planning: What Houston Seniors Need to Know
In continuation of the series on estate and life planning, this column focuses on how Medicaid factors into financial planning for long-term care. Seniors need to have a plan in place for long-term care, should they need care assistance in the future. A recent article in The Victoria (TX) Advocate…
Elder Abuse Accusation in DJ Casey Kasem’s Estate Feud
"Detectives are still actively investigating the elder abuse case," LAPD spokesperson Jane Kimtold THR. "They want to be as thorough as possible before a case is presented to the DA's office." The hits just keep coming in DJ Casey Kasem’s estate battle. The Hollywood Reporter quoted private investigator Logan Clarke…
Blending Families? Estate Planning a Must for Houston Families
Blended families without a proper estate plan for wealth transfer could run into additional obstacles not observed by traditional families. For example, state inheritance rules, intestate laws, and conflicts in beneficiary designations could be inconsistent with the will. In addition, a disinheritance of new family members without the knowledge of…
Lessons Learned from Robin Williams’ Estate Battle
There’s barely a person over the age of 40 or so who does not come with a family squabble about, well, things following the death of a well-loved parent, grandparent, or family friend. Even Robin Williams, who planned his estate well, could not avoid a family feud after his passing.…
High Wage Earners in Houston Should Mind Tax Tips
There is less emphasis on estate taxes because the exemption—$5.43 million per person—is so high now. But income taxes are higher, so know what you are in for. Maybe the estate tax doesn’t apply to you, but what about rising income taxes? How should you plan accordingly? According to a…
Can You Get Out of Dodge?
One attorney calls it the "Get out of Dodge plan"—the best way to keep your assets intact before applying for Medicaid to cover nursing home costs. New Jersey is one of the most restrictive states when it comes to permitting residents to preserve assets for their benefit while Medicaid pays…
New Year…New Financial Goals for Houston Families
The New Year is a great time to regroup on your financial plans, reevaluate and/or create new financial goals. By sticking to your financial resolutions throughout the year, you can keep on track towards achieving your financial objectives in 2015 and beyond. Make the New Year a happy one by…
Houston Families: Do You Have Your ICE File?
Create a file that you name sometime like "ICE," which stands for “in case of emergency.” Some people call this their “grab-and-go” file, since that’s what it’s for. Make sure that anyone who needs to have this information knows how to access it. For example, if you have to leave…
2015: New Financial Goals for Houston Families
If history is a guide, this coming week nearly half of us will make resolutions seeking to improve some facet of our lives, many of which will be focused on personal finance. If one of your goals for the New Year is to get your financial life in order, here…