COVID-19 has deeply impacted the economy in the United States and this will likely continue for a long time. As a result of the pandemic, interest rates continue to fall and are currently sitting at a historic low. Today, the interest rate rests at 0.25%, the same as it was during the 2008 Housing Crisis. Many […]
Far too many families end up fighting, or at least experiencing tension, over a family inheritance, but it does not have to be that way. Many families have worked through the details of divvying up a deceased relative’s property remarkably well and ended up even closer. Having counseled families for years, we offer the following advice […]
When planning your estate, you might be worried about estate taxes. The good news is that for many families, this is not something you need to worry about. In Texas, there is no state inheritance or estate tax. Additionally, the federal gift and estate tax exclusion is currently very high, sitting at $11.58 million for an […]
If you are a restaurateur, you have crucial demands on your time, but you should still find the time to create an estate and business succession plan. If you become ill or suddenly pass away, who will run the business in your stead? Is there someone else who is authorized to make payroll, pay your bills, […]
An obituary can be much more than just a dry announcement of the time and location of your funeral or memorial service. It can be a way to share your life story, communicating information about significant events and people, as well as important values you would like to impart to others. You do not need to […]
COVID-19, often referred to as coronavirus, has been all over the news—and with good reason. As of April 13, 2020, there were over 570,000 cases of COVID-19 in the United States, and more than 23,000 deaths, according to Wikepedia. We should all care for our neighbors, our communities, and ourselves by staying home, washing our hands […]
All children are a blessing. From the day they are born, you begin making plans to ensure that your child or grandchild has a bright future. What will their interests be? What job will they have? Who will they marry? While these are common concerns for most families, for those with child or grandchild with special […]
Preparing for one’s passing is stressful enough, but it can be aggravated by worries regarding the validity of a will. Individuals want to ensure that they are leaving something behind for their loved ones, and it would be impossible to properly distribute their property if the court does not find their will to be valid. Today, […]
One of the main reasons for getting an annual check up with your doctor is to detect and treat problems before an illness or health condition becomes serious. Likewise, it is important for your estate plan to get a regular check up to address changes in your life circumstances or in the law to ensure that […]
On December 20, 2019, President Trump signed the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act (SECURE Act), which became effective on January 1, 2020. The Act is the most impactful legislation affecting retirement accounts in decades. It will have a positive impact for many older Americans but could have negative tax consequences for many beneficiaries […]
