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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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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…
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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…
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Categories: Trusts
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…
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Categories: Trusts
Will the Corporate Transparency Act Apply to You?
November 29th, 2023
Starting on January 1, 2024, under a new law called the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), owners of certain business entities must file a report with the federal government including details regarding the ownership of their entity. The CTA was enacte…
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Sometimes Stuff Is the Most Important Part of Your Estate Plan
October 18th, 2023
Most people usually think about who will receive their retirement and bank accounts, life insurance proceeds, real estate, and other valuable possessions upon their death. However, a person’s personal property (their stuff) can also be a source of…
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Four Things Your Spouse Should Know Before You Die
September 27th, 2023
It is normal for spouses to share almost every aspect of their lives with each other. But when it comes to death, even the closest couples might become tight-lipped about certain topics. According to one study, half of all couples fail to discuss the…
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Collecting A Debt on Behalf of Your Deceased Loved One
September 20th, 2023
People often engage in transactions that result in money being owed to them, such as loaning money to a friend or business partner or renting a house to a tenant. But what happens if someone passes away before they receive payback of that debt, the m…
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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