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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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Celebrate Your Life Your Way: How to Make Funerals and Memorials Meaningful
April 8th, 2026
Many people have a childhood memory of somebody close to them passing away. Whether the deceased was a parent or grandparent, an aunt or uncle, or a family friend, it may have been their first real encounter facing grief or attending a funeral. That…
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What to Do When Your Doctor Tells You to Get Your Affairs in Order
March 25th, 2026
Five words no one ever wants to hear from their doctor are “Get your affairs in order.” Unfortunately, 76 percent of Americans do not have a will, and it often requires a chronic disease, terminal illness diagnosis, or other life-changing event t…
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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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Business Succession: Why Planning for Absence and Incapacity Is Indispensable for Business Owners
February 11th, 2026
As a business owner, you have likely considered establishing an estate plan to ensure your company’s continued success after your passing. However, comprehensive estate planning also addresses what will happen if you become mentally incapacitated (…
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Categories: Business Succession, Estate Planning, Health Care Surrogates, Powers of Attorney, Trusts
How to Get Organized to Meet with Your Estate Planning Attorney
February 4th, 2026
You have decided to meet with an estate planning attorney to get your affairs in order and ensure that your loved ones are protected. Now that you have scheduled the appointment, it is time to get yourself organized and prepare for the first meeting.…
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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
Foster Children in an Estate Plan
January 14th, 2026
A foster child may come into your life through the court system, an agency, or your own extended family. However it begins, the relationship can grow into something deeply personal, with the unshakable feeling that this child is yours. However, the l…
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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