2016-03-19 18:53
This is the last post for the Texas Estate Planning and Probate Law blog. I did my best to try and keep it up, but just found it too difficult to update on a regular basis. In addition, I… Read More
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Texas Estate Planning And Probate Law Blog
texaslawyer.blogspot.com
Gary M. Howell, with Hirsch & Westheimer in Houston, Texas, advises and represents clients in the areas of probate; estate administration, estate planning, trust creation, charitable foundations, guardianship, probate and trust litigation, and will contests.
2016-03-19 18:53
The Hurricane Katrina Emergency Tax Relief Act (KETRA) allows unlimited gifts to charity up to a donor's total income until the end of 2005. This provision also permits unlimited IRA withdra… Read More
2016-03-19 18:53
Sometime shortly, the Senate is expected to vote on the fate of the estate tax. The House has already voted to repeal the tax; however, several Senators have found it difficult to vote for… Read More
2016-03-19 18:53
As you know, the Houston and Southeast Texas area are hunkering down for what is right now a Category 3 hurricane. In light of that, my office has been closed for the last two days so that… Read More
2005-09-13 14:18
I apologize for not having updated the blog earlier, but I hit an extremely busy stretch there for three weeks and so I had no real free time to update the site. In the meantime, I have rece… Read More
2005-08-23 15:19
I constantly receive calls from existing and potential clients about “living trusts” and how they have heard someone talking about how much they need one. My response to most of… Read More
2005-08-16 19:45
There are times when the full administration of an estate does not make much sense. For example, what if there is only a couple of assets of the estate, such as a house and a bank account… Read More
2005-08-11 03:15
It was a nice trip to Colorado this past week, one of the most beautiful states you can travel to during the summertime. I highly recommend a whitewater rafting trip such as the one we took… Read More
2005-07-29 14:48
I am taking a much needed vacation beginning July 30th and heading to what I hope are the much cooler climates of Colorado for a week. I will not be posting anything in the meantime; howev… Read More
2005-07-26 19:54
I have often been asked: Do I have to pay my executor? If I create a trust for my children, does the trustee have to be paid? In Texas, the answer is both simple and complicated, as mos… Read More
2005-07-22 17:00
Texas is one of nine states that are considered “community property” states, meaning generally that property acquired during the marriage is considered owned equally by both spou… Read More
2005-07-19 00:01
In my last post, I discussed making organ donations at your death. Hopefully you will take advantage of making such organ donations to give others an opportunity for a longer lifespan. But p… Read More
2005-07-14 15:32
Every 18 minutes another name is added to the national organ transplant waiting list in the United States. During the past seven years, the transplant waiting list has more than doubled fro… Read More
2005-07-11 20:35
Quite often annual exclusion gifts will be made to minor children or grandchildren as part of someone’s estate plan. In some instances, these gifts may create problems for the donor a… Read More
2005-07-07 20:15
Many people own life insurance policies, either through their employment or as supplements to their employer-funded policies, or have individual retirement plans (IRAs) or employee benefit p… Read More
2005-07-05 16:30
In my previous post, I covered the basic duties of an independent executor in Texas. The role of an executor is an important one, and requires attention to detail and an ability to deal with… Read More
2005-07-03 22:12
In a previous post, I discussed the importance of naming the right person or entity in your Last Will to handle your estate administration. The role of the executor is a demanding one, requi… Read More
2005-06-28 16:38
The federal government now requires each state to implement an estate recovery program, the purpose of which is to attempt to recover part or all of the costs associated with providing long… Read More
2005-06-24 03:35
When leaving property under your Last Will and Testament for your beneficiaries, whether you leave the property outright or in trust is a major consideration. Your decision will usually be g… Read More
2005-06-20 16:43
Many people worry that they will owe estate tax at their death, but the reality is that fewer than 1% of all Americans will ever be subject to the estate tax. This is especially true (at lea… Read More
2005-06-17 14:20
When making your Last Will and Testament, you probably put a lot of thought into who is going to receive your assets. I would argue that as much thought needs to go into who is going to adm… Read More
2005-06-14 16:03
Planning for disability is an important part of your overall estate planning and one part of the plan that many people tend to either overlook or not prepare for well enough. They think havi… Read More
2005-06-14 15:05
In various posts, I have discussed the importance of having a Last Will and Testament and the time, trouble and money having one will save your family. Even a simple Will (if done correctly)… Read More
2005-06-13 01:48
Well, that doesn't sound very palatable, does it? That's probably because it isn't. No one enjoys preparing for death, but in getting your affairs together, you can save a lot of heartache a… Read More
2005-06-10 05:18
Imagine a husband and wife with two young children, ages 5 and 3. The parents are going off on a trip to Spain, leaving the kids to stay with the husband's parents. En route to Spain, the pl… Read More
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