The Strickland Law Firm Podcast

When a loved one passes away, grief doesn’t pause the bills—and in many cases, bank accounts are suddenly frozen when families need funds the most. So how do you access money quickly without getting stuck in a long probate process? In this episode of The Strickland Law Firm Podcast, we break down one of the most important (and misunderstood) tools in Texas probate: the Small Estate Affidavit. You’...

You finally close on your property, sign the paperwork, and get the keys… But what if one small mistake in your deed could come back years later—and put your ownership at risk? In this episode, we break down one of the most overlooked (and dangerous) parts of real estate transactions: the type of deed you choose at closing. Most buyers assume a deed is just a formality—but in reality, it’s a legal...

A financial gift for a loved one with special needs should bring security—not the loss of SSI and Medicaid.  But in Texas, even a modest settlement or inheritance can blow past the strict $2,000 asset limit and put critical benefits at risk overnight. In this episode, we break down how Special Needs Trusts (SNTs) work as a legal shield, allowing families to protect both government benefits and qua...

A financial gift for a loved one with special needs should mean security — not the loss of Medicaid, SSI, and critical long-term support. Yet in Texas, even a modest settlement or inheritance can instantly violate the strict $2,000 asset limit and trigger the loss of life-sustaining benefits.  In this episode, we break down how Special Needs Trusts (SNTs) work, why they matter, and how Texas famil...

Episode 3: Dying Without a Will in Texas: The 5 Shocking Consequences Most Families Never See Coming Nearly 60% of Americans die without a legally valid will—and in Texas, that single mistake can completely rewrite your family’s future. In this episode of The Strickland Law Firm Podcast, we break down what really happens when you die intestate in Texas and why the state’s rigid formula often leads...

Episode 2: Do You Need to Worry About Estate Taxes in Texas? Is the government going to take a massive cut of your estate when you die—or is that just fear-based misinformation? In this episode of The Strickland Law Firm Podcast, we break down the truth behind the so-called “death tax” and explain exactly how estate taxes work for Texans—what you don’t owe, what you might owe, and why timing matte...

7 Life Events That Can Break Your Texas Will (and How to Fix Them) A divorce you forgot to update. A new child left out. An ex-spouse still named on a retirement account. In this first episode of The Strickland Law Firm Podcast, we break down the seven critical life events that can silently override your Texas will—and why simply “having a will” is often not enough. Drawing on real Texas probate s...