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The “Death Box”: One Step That Can Make a Difficult Time Easier for Your Loved Ones
June 3rd, 2026
Losing a loved one is challenging enough without added complications. One way you can take some of the pain out of administering your estate is by preparing a death box, also called a death binder, next-of-kin box, or legacy folder. It serves as a ce…
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The Family Meeting: Not Just for Billionaires
May 13th, 2026
For some people, the term family meeting may not bring to mind a pleasant gathering where everyone shares fond memories and warm feelings. When someone says, “We need to talk,” it often implies that something is wrong or that tough decisions need…
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When Your Parent Plans to Disinherit Your Sibling
April 29th, 2026
Your parent has made the difficult decision of disinheriting your sibling from their estate plan. While this decision will undoubtedly land heavily on your sibling, the decision also places you in a complicated position. As the child who was not cut…
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Why Real Estate Title Matters in Estate Planning
April 22nd, 2026
Real estate can be owned in several different ways. The form of ownership, or how your real estate is titled, can determine how much control you have over it, how vulnerable your property is to creditor claims and lawsuits, and what will happen to it…
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How to Own Your Real Estate
March 18th, 2026
Your real estate encompasses not only your primary residence but also any vacation homes, rental properties, or even vacant land you may own. The ideal form of ownership varies depending on the type of property and your individual circumstances. Your…
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The Hidden Gender Gap in Estate Planning—and How to Close It
March 11th, 2026
You have probably heard of the gender pay gap. But there is also another common disparity: the estate planning gender gap. Although the two are interrelated to some extent—earning less than men puts women on an unequal path to investment and retire…
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Categories: Estate Planning, Guardianship, Health Care Surrogates, Living Will, Powers of Attorney, Property, Trusts, Wills
Caution: Using a Do-it-Yourself Deed to Avoid Probate Can Lead to Costly Unintended Consequences
March 4th, 2026
One goal of estate planning is to ensure that your assets, including your home, pass to your chosen beneficiaries quickly and with minimal expense. In real estate, a common strategy to avoid probate (the court process of validating a will and distrib…
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Estate Planning for Heirlooms: A Guide to Distributing Sentimental Items
February 25th, 2026
Personal items accumulated over our lifetimes may be left in estate planning limbo when we pass away. You may have kept many personal effects and everyday items more for sentimental reasons than for financial value, such as your clothing, jewelry, bo…
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Why Receiving an Inheritance Changes Your Estate Plan
January 28th, 2026
Receiving an inheritance can be a meaningful and transformative experience, but it can also create challenges if not handled thoughtfully. Without a clear plan, an inheritor may struggle to manage newly acquired assets, face creditor or tax issues, o…
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Categories: Estate Planning, Hiring an Attorney, Planning for Minor Children, Property, Trusts, Wills
Why Retirement Is the Right Time to Revisit Your Estate Plan
January 21st, 2026
Retirement can mean many different things to different people. For some, it opens up a new world of travel, experiences, and creative pursuits. For others, it may herald quiet days at home with a good book, a steaming mug of tea or coffee, and no oth…
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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