Understanding testamentary and non-testamentary assets and why your will is not the only document that passes your assets read more...

An unexpected trip to to the emergency room. A very dear and longtime friend goes in to the hospital unexpectedly. I go to the hospital as soon as I find out and the nurse asks me if I know what medicines my friend is taking. I have no idea. My friend, although alert, is not read more...

It is a sign of the times: simplify, simplify. It is why the life-changing magic of tidying up book is a best seller. But occasionally the benefits of something “not simple” are worth considering.  Trusts are not simple but the benefits may outweigh the added complexity. One often overlooked area where a trust can be read more...

“Avoid costly probate! Save taxes! Protect your family!” At least every three or four months, I either receive a mailing or see an advertisement inviting me to a seminar on the benefits of creating a living trust. Headlines scream out the benefits, creating the impression that only a fool would not attend the seminar and read more...

One of the more difficult challenges my sister and I dealt with as my mother began to show signs of Alzheimer’s Disease was finding the balance between respecting my mother’s dignity and autonomy and keeping her safe and secure. This last spring, the Texas Legislature added an additional tool to help maintain that balance. It read more...