Although it is a difficult subject to face, you have options when it comes to protecting your estate and your family. The steps you take now can help prevent the wrong people from making decisions for your loved ones. If you have minor children, who will take care of them…
Articles Posted in Probate
Estate Planning in a Virtual World for Houston Planners
Roos said it’s important that people plan ahead and put “someone in charge of these digital assets and giving the family the opportunity to take over accounts if something were to happen, so they can control the information so it doesn’t get into the wrong hands.” Have you heard the…
“Downton Abbey” — A Good Lesson for Houston Families
The viewers of this high-end PBS costume drama, which takes place about a century ago, could very likely be your clients' demographic. Look at who's a top corporate sponsor: Viking River Cruises, which told The New York Times that “our demographic is affluent Baby Boomers 55+.” It's a big group:…
Houston Family’s New to Estate Planning? See Helpful Guide
Whether you want to provide for your family after your death or you just want to ensure that the process is as easy as possible for your family, estate planning is the easiest way to accomplish your goals. What exactly is estate planning? Are you unsure of where to begin?…
Yes. YOU Do Need Estate Planning!
Have you thought about dying lately? Most of us don't. Make sure you do some estate planning today before things get complicated. End-of-life planning is not a fun topic to think about. Nobody wants to think about passing away, but is that going to change the inevitable? Not a chance.…
Important Documents For Houston Families: Before Dementia Strikes
Accounting for the possibility of your own and your loved one’s eventual mental incapacity is a key part of any estate plan. If your loved one appears to be showing signs of diminishing mental acuity, ask if he or she has the proper documents in place. If so, find out…
Daughter Fights to Ensure Father’s Proper Military Burial
Until Feb. 20, when Missouri state authorities intervened to help Yvette James get control of her father's remains, James was stuck in a nightmare of red tape. All she wanted was to rightfully fulfill her father’s burial wishes, something she should have legally been allowed to do from the get-go.…
“The Widow Lincoln” Sheds Light on Financial Lessons for Houston Widows
As Mary Todd Lincoln’s character in “The Widow Lincoln” faces dozens of unpaid bills for home furnishings, clothes and jewelry, she asks, “How will I ever pay these debts? I am nothing. I am no one.” On top of moving out of the White House, mothering her sons and moving…
Houston Estates Can Be Subject to Same Discord as Celebrity Estates
Ernie Banks died on January 23rd at age 83 from a heart condition. Interestingly, his death certificate listed dementia as a “significant condition contributing” to his death. Why is that important? Well, three months before he died, Banks signed a new set of estate planning documents, including a power of…
Multimillion Dollar Estates Can Be Subject of Family Feuds
Dr. Richard Grossman amassed his fortune as the founder of the Grossman Burn Center in Los Angeles, one of the first to use a hyperbaric chamber to prevent infections in burn victims and speed their recovery. He retired from his medical practice in 2013. Lawyers for his children and widow…