The Mendel Law Firm, L.P.

Attorneys & Counselors

Call Now: 281-759-3213

LP Payment button
Home » blog

Pass the Mic and the Guardianship

by

Often times, parents with young children disagree over who should be appointed as guardian of their children should something happen to the parents. The husband wants someone in his family to serve in that role, and the wife wants someone in her family. There is no need to fight about it. You can compromise. In this case, you can actually learn a valuable estate planning lesson from a member of the Beastie Boys. Adam Yauch, better known as MCA, passed away in May 2012, leaving behind a wife … [Read more...] about Pass the Mic and the Guardianship

Texas History – What was the Name of the Third Political Party in Texas?

by

The People's Party. Farmers and laborers constituted the bulk of the membership of the People's Party in Texas after its formation in 1891. Nationally, the People's Party (known generally as the Populist Party) became the most significant third-party movement in American history. … [Read more...] about Texas History – What was the Name of the Third Political Party in Texas?

Stepchildren and Your Estate Plan

by

Estate planning is more difficult today than it used to be because the modern family often includes people that the law does not account for. That's because the law originates from an earlier time when families were different than the are today. One common area where this is seen is with stepchildren. Today, it is not unusual for people to have stepchildren that they have raised from infancy. However, the law does not do a good job of accounting for these stepchildren. In most cases, if you do … [Read more...] about Stepchildren and Your Estate Plan

Texas History – Who Invented the Hamburger?

by

America's most purchased and favorite food, the hamburger, was invented by a Texan. The hamburger got its start in the Henderson County town of Athens in the 1880s. Fletcher Davis served up a meat patty topped with mustard, a pickle, and onions, between two slices of bread. The sandwich caught on, and Davis introduced the hamburger at the World's Fair in St. Louis in 1904. … [Read more...] about Texas History – Who Invented the Hamburger?

Divorce and Previously Drafted Wills in Texas

by

As a domicile of Texas, you may be able to rely on the state’s probate laws to a limited extent should you divorce. Almost all estate planning lawyers will recommend periodic reviews of estate planning documents. Your estate planning attorney will most likely ask you to review your estate plan during or after important life-changing events. One of these events is divorce. At least one time after your divorce, you should sit down with your estate planning attorney to review your estate plan. … [Read more...] about Divorce and Previously Drafted Wills in Texas

Texas History – What was the Fifty Cent Act?

by

The Fifty Cent Act advocated by Governor O.M. Roberts was approved by the Texas Legislature July 14, 1879. It provided for selling Texas public land at fifty cents an acre, one half of the proceeds to be used for paying the public debt, and the other half to be used to establish a public school fund. The Act opened the settlement of about fifty-two West Texas counties, out of which 3,202,283 acres were sold for $1,600,645.55. The Act was repealed in January 1883. … [Read more...] about Texas History – What was the Fifty Cent Act?

Religious Estate Plans

by

Parents usually hope that their children will grow up to have the same religious faith as the parents. It seems like grandparents often having even greater hopes for this for their grandchildren. We all know that it does not always happen, but that does not stop some people from trying to use their estate plans to make sure that their wishes are known and carried out. Some people insert clauses in their estate plans that disinherit a child or grandchild who marries outside of the deceased's … [Read more...] about Religious Estate Plans