The chances of a married couple dying simultaneously in a common accident or within a very short time of one another are probably quite slim. However, it does sadly happen. And it happens frequently enough that most states have laws to address the issue and the problems that can arise from simultaneous deaths. What are these […]
Marriage as a legal institution has taken a variety of forms throughout history. As society evolves, how we identify marriage in our society also changes. While not lawful everywhere, in Texas a couple may be deemed married without having participated in judicial or religious ceremonies. These marriages are called common law marriages. Their existence creates some […]
An important element of creating an estate plan is choosing a responsible party to handle your legal, medical, and financial affairs if you become unable to manage them yourself (i.e., become incapacitated) or die. The individual or entity you choose must be someone whom you can trust to make crucial and often time-sensitive decisions, who is […]
When you met with an attorney a few weeks ago, perhaps all you expected was a simple will. Maybe you thought that, with your situation, the work should be easy and the documents should be few. But now that you have finished working with the attorney, your parting gift is a large binder filled with hundreds […]
Despite what some believe, children born to unmarried parents are commonplace. Historically, children in this category have been treated poorly by both society and the law. In many cases, they had no right to inherit from either parent. This legal scheme eventually changed and provided means for these children to inherit from their mothers, but rarely […]
Many people associate spring with cleaning out the old, brushing off the dirt accumulated from the long winter, cleaning out their closets, and starting projects around the house that have been neglected for far too long. Perhaps, however, your home is fine as is and there’s something else that needs to be updated this summer. Estate […]
In honor of the recent Teacher Appreciation Week (the first week of May), we are taking this opportunity to say a bit “thank you” our teachers for their time and dedication to teaching the future generation. Teacher, you provide the foundational knowledge necessary to ensure the success of tomorrow’s leaders. We are here to make sure […]
After covering everything from the conventional to the groundbreaking in disposition of your mortal remains, it may seem as though burial (both natural and traditional) and disposal of cremains (by storage or scattering) to be the only options. And yet, there are so many more choices for your final remains than simply these. Case in point, […]
The impact of our lives, and even our deaths, is becoming a growing concern for many people. Cemeteries have been described as “landfills for bodies,” which year after year are filled with wood, metal, concrete, and embalming chemicals. Moreover, the graves are then covered with grass, which must be watered, fertilized and cared for to preserve […]
Cremation has been part of human history since ancient days. Archeological evidence from around the world show cultures following the practice as early as 8,000 B.C.E. The practice has gone through times of favor and disfavor, depending on religious acceptability. However, in the 21st century, as concerns about lack of burial space and environmental impact of […]
