George Washington (1732-1799) - 1ST President of the United States (1789-1797) George Washington is known for his greatness as a general and as the nation’s first President. He was very disappointed when two different political parties were developing at the end of his first term. Much to the nation’s disappointment Washington did not run for a third term. In addition to serving as our first president, he was a successful leader in the fight for independence from Great Britain, the first person … [Read more...] about Famous Estates – Legacy Champ or Chump?
Financial Planning
The Medicaid Program in Texas
Medicaid is a federally funded health insurance program for low-income and elderly individuals. Unlike the Medicare program, the Medicaid program is income-based and reserved for certain groups of individuals with limited means and resources. Medicare is age-based and does not depend on an individual’s income. Medicare is available to U.S. citizens and other legal residents who are at least 65. In Texas, residents with limited means may qualify for Medicaid insurance if disabled, blind or at … [Read more...] about The Medicaid Program in Texas
Famous Estates – Legacy Champ or Chump?
Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969) - 34TH President of the United States, 1953-1961 Prior to his presidency, Eisenhower was a five-star general in the United States Army during World War II, and served as Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe. He had the responsibility of planning and supervising the invasion of North Africa in 1942-43, and the successful invasion of France and Germany in 1944-45. In 1951, he became the first supreme commander of NATO. Eisenhower defeated Adlai … [Read more...] about Famous Estates – Legacy Champ or Chump?
Famous Estates – Legacy Champ or Chump?
Rosa Parks (1913-2005) - Civil Rights Activist Most historians date the beginning of the modern civil rights movement in the U.S. to December 1, 1955. That was the day Rosa Parks, an unknown seamstress in Montgomery, Alabama refused to give up her bus seat to a white passenger. She was arrested and fined for violating a city ordinance. Her single act of defiance inspired tens of thousands of working-class blacks, led by Martin Luther King, to boycott the local buses for more than a … [Read more...] about Famous Estates – Legacy Champ or Chump?
Texas Intestacy Estate Planning for Children Born out of Wedlock: Part 2 of 2
Continuing our two-part blog series focusing on the rights of illegitimate children or children born out of wedlock, we’ll cover when an illegitimate child can inherit from your biological father. As you know from reading the first blog in this series, an illegitimate child can inherit from his or her natural mother if she includes him or her in her Will and even if she failed to create a valid Will. Under the state’s intestacy laws, an illegitimate child has intestacy rights to inherit from … [Read more...] about Texas Intestacy Estate Planning for Children Born out of Wedlock: Part 2 of 2
Famous Estates – Legacy Champ or Chump?
Jessica Savitch (1947-1983) - Television News Anchor Savitch was a popular local television newscaster at KYW-TV, the former NBC affiliate (now CBS) in Philadelphia, and a Washington correspondent for NBC News. Thanks to her screen presence and attractive style, she was eventually promoted to the news anchor of the weekend NBC Nightly News, and she also anchored Frontline on PBS. Her autobiography, Anchorwoman, was published in 1982. However, her unstable personal life became … [Read more...] about Famous Estates – Legacy Champ or Chump?
Texas Intestacy Estate Planning for Children Born out of Wedlock: Part 1 of 2
In most states, including Texas, a child born out of wedlock is an illegitimate child. Rightfully, illegitimate children are treated as heirs in some cases. According to Texas law, they can take advantage of many of the state’s intestacy statutes. However, illegitimate children may not be able to receive inheritances under the state’s intestacy laws. Texas law gives illegitimate children or children born out of wedlock the intestate rights to inherit from their natural mothers but not from their … [Read more...] about Texas Intestacy Estate Planning for Children Born out of Wedlock: Part 1 of 2
Be Careful With Financial Planners
Using the services of a financial planner can be extremely beneficial as a way to preserve and grow your assets for your estate. However, not all financial planners are equal and you should have an idea of what to look out for when deciding which one to use. The wrong financial planner can cost your estate money. The first thing you should ask potential financial planners is what their qualifications are. Find out if they have any degrees or certifications and what they had to do to get them. … [Read more...] about Be Careful With Financial Planners
What to Do After Winning the Big Lottery Jackpot
You may have heard that a recent lottery made millionaires out of some people. Because the jackpot was a record $64o million it was actually difficult to avoid news about it. You may have dreamed about what you would do with the money if you ever won that much in the lottery. But, have you ever considered what the first thing you should do is? The first thing you should do is to speak to an attorney experienced in financial planning and estate planning. The state lottery agencies like to make a … [Read more...] about What to Do After Winning the Big Lottery Jackpot
Divorce and Estate Planning for Texans: Part 3 of 3
Another important consideration with life insurance beneficiary designations concerns spouses are not required to carry life insurance policies as part of their divorce settlement agreements but fail to substitute beneficiaries. For example, imagine Husband and Wife divorce in 2010. Following the divorce, Husband forgets to name a different beneficiary in his life insurance policy. Under Texas law, if Husband forgets to change his life insurance beneficiary designation, his former wife probably … [Read more...] about Divorce and Estate Planning for Texans: Part 3 of 3
