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Divorce and Previously Drafted Wills in Texas

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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?

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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 The Act was repealed in January 1883.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

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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

Texas History – Where were the First Lightship & Lighthouse in Texas?

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The first lightship was moored at the entrance of Galveston Bay in 1849. It was discontinued from use in 1906. In 1852, the first two lighthouses operating were: (1) Matagorda Lighthouse on Matagorda Island at Pass Cavallo; and (2) Bolivar Point Lighthouse on Bolivar Peninsula at Galveston Bay. The Bolivar Point Lighthouse discontinued service in 1933. The Matagorda Lighthouse discontinued service in 1995. … [Read more...] about Texas History – Where were the First Lightship & Lighthouse in Texas?

Famous Estates – Legacy Champ or Chump?

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Edith Altschul Lehman (1889-1974) - Philanthropist Early in her marriage to Herbert Lehman, Edith Lehman successfully organized a lay social service committee to take care of the family needs of hospitalized patients, which later led to the establishment of Mount Sinai Hospital's first professional social service department and to her many years of association with the hospital. She was involved with two other institutions that would become lifelong causes: the Henry Street Settlement, founded … [Read more...] about Famous Estates – Legacy Champ or Chump?

Protecting Your Image

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Some people never consider that they have more to protect after they pass away than their property and money. Yet, many people do have more that needs protection. Many people have an image that needs to be protected. If you have ever appeared on television or radio for any reason, then your image and voice can exist forever. You can determine who can use them in your estate plan. You might have thought that you were just giving a simple interview to a local news station about your business or … [Read more...] about Protecting Your Image

Texas History – Who were the First Indians to Be Tried in a White Man’s Court of Law?

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Colonel Ronald S. Mackenzie arrested Satanta, Satank, and Big Tree, members of the Kiowa Tribe, for their leadership role in the massacre of the Warren wagon train crew en route from Weatherford to Fort Griffin. Mackenzie ordered them to be sent to Jacksboro to stand trial for murder in a Texas district court. Satank died in an escape attempt while being escorted from Fort Sill. At the trial, Satanta and Big Tree received sentences of death by hanging. While awaiting their execution at the Texas … [Read more...] about Texas History – Who were the First Indians to Be Tried in a White Man’s Court of Law?