04 January

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Empowering Your Future: Understanding Durable Power of Attorney in Texas

in Business Law, Estate Planning, Legal Advice, Real Estate Law, Wills & Trusts

Introduction: In the vast landscape of estate planning, one crucial document that residents of Texas should be well-acquainted with is the Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA). This legal instrument empowers individuals to make important financial decisions on your behalf, offering peace of mind and security in times of need. In this SEO blog post, we'll delve into the specifics of a Durable Power of Attorney in the state of Texas, highlighting its significance, key elements, and how it can be a cornerstone in your comprehensive estate plan. What is a Durable Power of Attorney? A Durable Power of Attorney is a legal...

03 January

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Navigating Legal Partitions in Texas: Your Comprehensive Guide

Posted by Robert Newton

in Probate, Real Estate Law, Wills & Trusts

Introduction: Legal partitions in Texas play a crucial role in property ownership, division, and rights. Understanding the intricacies of these partitions is vital for property owners, investors, and anyone involved in real estate transactions in the Texas. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the legal aspects of partitions in Texas, offering insights and guidance to navigate this often complex terrain. Defining Legal Partitions in Texas: Legal partitions refer to the division or separation of real property among co-owners. This can involve physically dividing the property or assigning specific rights and interests to each party. In Texas, legal partitions are governed...

06 January

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Texas Medical Power of Attorney

Posted by Robert Newton

in Estate Planning, Probate, Wills & Trusts

A Texas Medical Power of Attorney is a document which is usually prepared by a Texas estate planning attorney as part of the estate planning process. The purpose of the Texas Medical Power of Attorney is for a person, known as the principal, to name an agent to make medical decisions on the person’s behalf if the principal is unable to make his/her own health care decisions. Texas estate planning attorneys typically provide the name, address, and phone number of the agent in the Texas Medical Power of Attorney. After all, the agent often needs to be notified of the principal’s...

04 January

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Texas Durable Power of Attorney

Posted by Robert Newton

in Estate Planning, Probate, Wills & Trusts

A Texas Durable Power of Attorney is an instrument that allows an agent to perform certain actions on behalf of another person, usually called the principal. A Texas Durable Power of Attorney is usually prepared in relation to a person’s broader estate planning, which includes a Last Will and Testament, Revocable Living Trust, Durable Power of Attorney, Medical Power of Attorney, Directive to Physicians, and other ancillary documents, all of which are usually prepared by a Texas estate planning attorney. However, the Texas Durable Power of Attorney may also be executed without the other documents. The Texas Durable Power of Attorney...

22 December

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2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

Posted by Robert Newton

in Business Law, Government/Legislation, Real Estate Law, Wills & Trusts

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has now been passed by Congress and is awaiting President Trump’s signature. The question now arises, what does this mean for the average resident living in Frisco, Texas? Tax bills, as are most bills, are horrible to read because they simply amend existing sections of code. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is no different. So, below are a few highlights into how the Act could affect you, if and when President Trump signs it into law. Individuals The biggest change to individuals will likely be the increase of the standard deduction to $24,000 from $12,700...

13 April

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Help! I Owe Property Taxes on Inherited Property!

Posted by admin

in Foreclosures, Litigation, Probate, Real Estate Law, Wills & Trusts

From time-to-time, clients will contact me because they owe property taxes on property that they did not even know they owned. Almost always, my client’s ownership arises from an inheritance they did not even know existed. Sometimes, the decedent is a fairly distant relative. Sometimes, the decedent is an estranged parent. Sometimes, it was just property that was forgotten over the generations. To many, this may seem like a “first-world” problem, and, to some extent, it is. However, the tax bill is real, the lawsuit is real, and the resulting foreclosure is real. Unfortunately, the value of the property is...

22 November

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Estate Planning for Blended Families

Posted by admin

in Probate, Real Estate Law, Wills & Trusts

Blended families are a common occurrence in Frisco, Texas. However, meeting a spouse of a blended family that has their estate planning complete is rather rare. That is a problem because when a spouse dies without a will, and s/he has children from a prior relationship, the laws of the State of Texas are rather cruel to the surviving spouse. For instance, if a husband enters a marriage with two children, never signs a will after becoming remarried, and then dies, his children will own half of the house with their stepmother, as well as one-half of the personal community property...

21 July

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Transfer on Death Deeds

Posted by admin

in Probate, Real Estate Law, Wills & Trusts

In 2015, the Texas Legislature created a vital new estate planning tool, namely, the Transfer on Death Deed. The Transfer on Death Deed will serve an important role in future estate planning needs by lessening, and sometimes removing, the burden of probate. The Transfer on Death Deed is similar to an Enhanced Life Estate Deed, which is sometimes called a Lady Bird Deed. So, exactly what is a transfer on death deed? A transfer on death deed is an instrument that transfers interest in real property from the transferor to beneficiaries named within the deed upon the death of the transferor....

26 September

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Irrevocable Trust

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in Real Estate Law, Wills & Trusts

An irrevocable trust is an instrument created by a person called a settlor and managed by a trustee for the benefit of beneficiaries. In Texas, the same person can hold multiple titles under the trust. Unlike revocable living trusts, though, the trust is generally irrevocable. Irrevocable trusts are created much less often than revocable living trusts. They are primarily used as creditor protection tools. Other benefits include avoiding probate and the ease of succession to manage property after the settlor dies. Irrevocable trusts do not qualify for the exception to the due on sale clause on mortgages. This means that settlors must...

26 September

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Revocable Living Trust

Posted by admin

in Real Estate Law, Wills & Trusts

A revocable living trust is an instrument (i) created by a person, the Settlor or Trustor, (ii) managed by a trustee (iii) for the benefit of the beneficiaries. In Texas, the same person can hold multiple titles under the trust. Typically, revocable living trusts are revocable during the lifetime of the trustor(s). Revocable living trusts are popular estate planning tools because (i) the trustor retains control over the trust property during his lifetime; and (ii) the beneficiaries avoid the cost of probate after the death of the trustor. Also, revocable living trusts may allow for more effective management of the trust...

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