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Demystifying Probate and the Executor’s Role
March 20th, 2024
When creating a last will and testament (commonly known as a will), one of your most important considerations is who to choose to serve as the executor (also called a personal representative) of your estate. As the name implies, the role of the execu…
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Beware of Nonlawyers Acting Like Lawyers
March 13th, 2024
Contributor: Jana R. McCreary
When people think about creating an estate plan, they may think it just involves getting a set of forms that convey their wishes regarding their finances, health, and what will happen to their stuff when they die. Although the documents that comprise…
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What Is a Residuary Clause and Why Is It Important?
March 6th, 2024
When developing your estate plan, it is nearly impossible to address every account or property you own. There are sure to be some things you unintentionally overlook. However, by including a residuary clause, you can intentionally disburse any remain…
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What Is the Difference Between a Probate and Trust Administration Attorney and an Estate Planning Attorney?
February 28th, 2024
Estate planning attorneys and probate and trust administration attorneys play crucial but distinct roles in the legal processes involving legacy planning, asset distribution, and wealth preservation. Estate planning attorneys focus on creating a plan…
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Saying Goodbye Is Hard: How a Comprehensive Estate Plan Can Help with Funeral or Memorial Arrangements
February 21st, 2024
When people think about estate planning, they usually focus on who will receive their money and property when they pass away and how it will be received. However, estate planning can also address your end-of-life wishes—the considerations and expen…
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What Happens to Real Estate With a Mortgage When I Die?
February 14th, 2024
Your mortgage, like the rest of your debt, does not simply disappear when you die. If you leave your home that has an outstanding loan to a beneficiary in your will or trust, your beneficiary will inherit not only the property but also the outstandin…
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What Happens to My Twitch Account When I Die?
February 7th, 2024
In the digital age, our online presence extends beyond social media. Platforms like Twitch, where users engage with live-streamed content, present unique considerations when it comes to estate planning. Do you know what happens to a Twitch account af…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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