Dallas Elder Law Attorney

Many are unaware that extra powers in a financial power of attorney go beyond statutory language. It can be useful, but it is important that you trust your agent when giving broader powers.

Sometimes it is best to have a professional trustee or financial institution as a trustee. Sometimes it is best to have an individual or family member serve as trustee and sometimes it is best to have a combination to serve as co-trustees. This podcast discusses what should be thought about prior to choosing a trustee.

This podcast discusses a case whereby a Medicaid compliant annuity was used to save thousands of dollars each month under governmental rules for governmental assistance.

The general rules regarding physician-assisted suicide in the states that have permitted this are discussed along with the waiver of residency requirements in Vermont and Oregon.

Knowledge of the law and rules can be beneficial in shifting long-term care costs to the government.

The difference between hospice and palliative care is discussed along with 7 documents used in planning for end-of-life.

Although there are some who try to defraud through the use of fake deeds, the protection of title lock companies is generally overblown. Steps to recognize issues and reduce risk are discussed.

Jerry Lee Lewis constantly battled the IRS and he was married 7 times. His attempt to "protect" the homestead since he didn't own it when he passed shocking his son who thought he would get his father's home as set forth in the will of Jerry Lee Lewis. Instead, he got evicted by his first cousins.

If the original of your will is lost, then the law requires additional steps during probate to be valid as the law presumes the original will was destroyed.

Passing your life lessons, values, stories, and beliefs may be more valuable than assets transferred through estate planning.

The Texas legislature is discussing various bills for property tax relief. Possible options, including reduced property taxes for serious are discussed.

Although never tested, a new law may give planning opportunities to save more for a spouse or family under public benefits laws.

The government will sometimes pay for care at home. A description of how one obtains eligibility and the conditions for coverage are described.

The signature card establishing a bank account will determine how the account is transferred at death. Some may be surprised that joint accounts are not necessarily entitled to an account after the other joint account owner dies.

Planning (or lack thereof) will determine real estate upon a Texas resident's death.

The budget bill that passed at the end of December 2022 gave a benefit for those disabled between ages 26 and 46. This article describes ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) accounts and how such accounts benefit may who are disabled.

The 5 year battle over Manson’s estate continues illustrating the need to have your estate planning documents properly done.

Elvis Presley made some errors in planning for his estate, and his daughter, Lisa Marie, made different mistakes in her planning. This discusses what actually happened and some things that could have been done.

Simple solutions on a couple of cases to save assets in connection with long-term care costs.

There is more to estate planning than just having a Will. This discusses 9 documents besides a Will that should be considered.

This describes how and when the government will help pay for a spouse's care without the couple paying.

The requirements for sufficient mental capacity for a Will, to sign a contract, or to make a gift are different. This podcast describes the requirements for each.

There are options to avoid the expensive and time consuming court process of getting guardianship of the estate. This podcast describes some of these options.

Sometimes it is better to have a Will, and sometimes it is better to have a Trust. This podcast describes some of the advantages and disadvantages of either option.

The government has determined Americans are not saving enough for retirement. As a result, new laws have passed to encourage participation in saving for retirement and to encourage employers to help employees save for retirement.