Menu
My Spouse Died . . . and Now I Have My Own Survivor's Trust?
January 31st, 2024
Many married couples share almost everything, including finances. This may be reflected in their estate plan by using one joint living trust instead of two separate trusts. Separate trusts can provide greater flexibility, but a joint trust can be str…
Read More
Celebrating International LEGO Day Jan 28
January 28th, 2024
Mark your calendars: January 28 is International LEGO day, which celebrates the date when the patent for the globally famous plastic brick system was filed. Since the 1940s, people have been creating their own worlds, brick by brick, with LEGOs. With…
Read More
Categories: Estate Planning, General News, Miscellaneous, News, Planning for Minor Children, Trusts, Wills
What Is the Last Surviving Spouse Rule in an Estate Tax Situation?
January 24th, 2024
Estate planning can be a significant part of successful financial management, especially for married couples. One key consideration is minimizing any estate tax, which can substantially affect the distribution of money and property to a married coupl…
Read More
The Testamentary Trust: The Best of Both Worlds
January 17th, 2024
You have several different options when it comes to creating the right estate plan. Some people believe that a revocable living trust is the best way to go, while others think that a last will and testament (commonly known as a will) is best under ce…
Read More
Nine Common Errors That Make Online DIY Estate Planning Documents Unenforceable
January 10th, 2024
Any time a new year begins, many people set a goal to finally get around to creating an estate plan. And too many try to do it themselves with online DIY estate planning documents. While sometimes that can work out okay, too often it causes more head…
Read More
Categories: Estate Planning
Can Artificial Intelligence Programs Write Basic Estate Planning Documents?
January 3rd, 2024
It’s a new year, and perhaps your goal is to get your estate planning in order. With the increased coverage of artificial intelligence (AI) and all of the applications it can have in our everyday lives, some people may wonder whether an AI prog…
Read More
Categories: Estate Planning
Is Your Trust Protected? Six Ways a Trust Protector Could Help
December 27th, 2023
Trust protectors are commonly used in the United States. Essentially, a trust protector is someone who serves as an appointed authority over a trust that will be in effect for a long period of time. They ensure that trustees maintain the integrity of…
Read More
Categories: Trusts
Sharing Your Estate Planning Details With Loved Ones: Should You?
December 20th, 2023
When you decide to create a comprehensive estate plan, there are many things to consider. One is whether to tell your loved ones about your plan and how much information to share with them. Estate planning can be a complex and sensitive matter, so yo…
Read More
Categories: Estate Planning
How Much Authority Does a Trustee Have Over the Stuff in My Trust?
December 13th, 2023
A trustee is a person or entity responsible for and with the authority for managing and administering your trust according to your instructions and in accordance with state law. They are considered a fiduciary (meaning they are held to a higher stand…
Read More
Categories: Trusts
Blindsided: The Michael Oher Conservatorship Controversy Explained
December 6th, 2023
We are in the home stretch of the NFL season, and things are as exciting as ever. Aside from which team has a stellar rookie quarterback (Go, Texans!), or which team is on fire on the road (Go, Jags! (Keep in mind that McCreary Law Office started in…
Read More
Categories: Guardianship
Attorney Jana McCreary
Houston Estate Planning Attorney Jana R. McCreary has been an attorney for over twenty years, a career move she made after working for over a decade with adults and children with intellectual disabilities and mental illness. Graduating summa cum laud… Read More