Dallas Elder Law Attorney

This article describes how you can plan if your beneficiary has a gambling addiction.

Even though you generally cannot benefit from slaying someone, Reiner’s son could prevail to get some funds from a trust in which he was to be already be receiving benefits before their death. Language of the trust will dictate whether he succeeds or not.

Is a human embryo considered personal property or a human being? The laws (which are evolving) differ by state. What happens to an embryo if there is a divorce or death? Jelly Roll and Bunnie XO plan on IVF even though they are getting divorced, but what happens if they disagree before the divorce is final as to what happens with any embryos?

A signature controls how assets of an account will be distributed. A joint account may pass by the will of the deceased whereas a joint account with right of survivorship account passes to the survivor. This article describes an probate battle over whether the account was a joint account with right of survivorship was established if the signature card was not initialed and there was no definition...

Anna Nicole Smith died without a proper estate plan. Years later, her daughter is still living with the consequences. This episode breaks down how one of the most publicized estate disasters in celebrity history continues to play out, what poor planning actually costs a family, and why the people left behind are the ones who pay the price. If Anna Nicole Smith's estate can fall apart, yours can to...

He was dying. He tried to change his life insurance beneficiary. He signed it in front of two witnesses. But a few unchecked boxes meant the form was rejected. He died before it could be fixed. His ex-wife finished the form the day after he passed. Six years of legal battles later, a court still had to decide who gets the money. The answer will surprise you. This episode breaks down exactly what w...

She murdered her husband, then wrote a children's book about grief using his likeness. The Kouri Richins case is more than a true crime story. It's a warning. Forged powers of attorney, drained accounts, a secretly changed life insurance policy, and an estate still tangled in court after a murder conviction. This episode breaks down every legal angle and what it means for your own family's plan.

Most people don't realize their brain health and their estate plan are connected. Until it's too late. Once cognitive decline sets in, you can no longer legally sign a will, trust, or power of attorney. The window to protect your family closes faster than anyone expects and most people miss it entirely. This episode breaks down the POINTER study, the research that actually identified what keeps yo...

A $275 million estate. Co trustees at war. And legal fees that could quietly drain the entire trust. Even well structured estate plans can fall apart when control and communication break down.

A Lady Bird Deed can be a powerful tool in Texas estate planning, but what happens if creditors come into play? This article breaks down how disclaiming a Lady Bird Deed may impact creditor protection and what you need to know to protect your assets and your family’s future.

For years, they defended Michael Jackson. Now they are suing his estate with serious new allegations. This legal battle raises major questions about credibility, prior settlements, and whether claims can resurface after millions have already been paid.

When someone uses a power of attorney to make gifts to themselves, is it allowed or a serious legal problem? This blog explains how Texas law treats self-dealing, what “good faith” really means, and when those actions can be challenged or upheld.

What happens to a $50 billion empire built on crime when its kingpin is gone? This gripping article unpacks the complex battle over the alleged fortune of Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera, revealing how U.S. and Mexican authorities pursue illicit assets tied to drug cartels. From bitcoin trails to evolving anti-terror laws, discover why seizing these hidden fortunes is far more difficult than it seems...

What happens if a loved one passes away and the only will you can find is a copy? This must-watch podcast breaks down the surprising legal hurdles of probating a copy of a will in Texas—from tracking down heirs to proving why the original is missing. Discover why one small oversight can create major complications, and how to protect your family from the stress and uncertainty.

A shocking dispute is unfolding over the private archives of Hugh Hefner, as Crystal Hefner raises urgent concerns about thousands of undisclosed, explicit images that may have been taken without consent. This eye-opening podcast dives into the legal and ethical battle surrounding privacy rights, potential AI misuse, and whether these materials should ever be digitized or shared. As investigations...

What happens legally when someone disappears and may never be found? This compelling article explores the complex process of declaring a missing person dead, from seven-year presumptions to the role of circumstantial evidence in high-profile cases like Nancy Guthrie. Learn how courts handle estates, notify the missing, and what happens if they unexpectedly return, revealing a legal process as unse...

Five categories of ways to avoid the process of court approval for assets to be collected, evaluated, and distributed are explored.

Some residential homes purchased by an entity (including trusts) may be required to report to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) as of March 1st

It is better to have a trust as a beneficiary rather than an individual since you can have protection on how your property passes in contrast to the grantee/beneficiary's heirs or estate of if the grantee/beneficiary predeceases you.

Ten negative consequences for superseding the powers granted in a power of attorney of elderly mom are described.

Diane Keaton reportedly established a pet trust for the benefit of her golden retriever. Different ways to take care of your pet are explored.

Proper language is required in a trust for the homestead and other exemptions to be retained if your home is deeded into a trust. This article described the proper language for exemptions and creditor protection.

Long-term care Medicaid, which helps pay for care in a nursing home or at home, is "means-tested". However, certain resources, such as the applicant's homestead, do not count. This article not only mentions the amount of the equity limit for the homestead to not count as a resource, but it also discusses how to avoid the claim for reimbursement by the state for benefits advanced after the death of...

Many states have a "slayer statute" whereby a convicted murderer cannot inherit from the deceased victim. This article compares California and Texas slayer statutes.

This article discusses ten of the most frequently asked questions about powers of attorney, ranging from the different types to when the power is effective and terminates.