James Stephen "Big Jim" Hogg was the 20TH Governor of Texas and the first native Texan to become governor. Prior to becoming governor, Hogg was elected state Attorney General in 1886 on the platform of railroad regulation reform and to reign in abuses by other large corporations. In 1888, Hogg sued the rail companies for attempting to create a monopoly. Hogg won, defeating the powerful rail baron Jay Gould. Hogg tackled the "wildcat" insurance companies, forcing several of them to leave the … [Read more...] about Texas History – Do You Know When Texas Enacted Antitrust Laws?
Thought for the Day:
It is no good getting furious if you get stuck. What I do is keep thinking about the problem but work on something else. Sometimes it is years before I see the way forward. In the case of information loss and black holes, it was 29 years. Stephen Hawking … [Read more...] about Thought for the Day:
Staggering Disbursements – Why Gifting a Lump Sum Isn’t a Good Idea
Deciding who will receive which assets is hardly the only important decision you will have to make when you create your estate plan. Once you have made that decision, you must decide how you will gift the assets. Gifting a lump sum may not be the best idea. In fact, more and more people are choosing to stagger disbursements to ensure that the assets are not mismanaged. In years past, it was common to leave an adult child who was only 18 or 21 years old a lump sum of money in an estate plan. In … [Read more...] about Staggering Disbursements – Why Gifting a Lump Sum Isn’t a Good Idea
Texas History – Do You Know What Is the Texas Highway Department’s Oldest Ferry?
The Galveston-Bolivar Ferry has been a part of the Texas transportation system since the 19TH century when the skiff, The Tarpon, began operating from Galveston Island. These early operations were commercial ventures and only made the trip when they had paying customers. In 1929, the first regularly scheduled ferry service between Port Bolivar and Galveston Island was established by a privately owned company. By the end of 1929 the company sold its two ferries to Galveston County. After six … [Read more...] about Texas History – Do You Know What Is the Texas Highway Department’s Oldest Ferry?
Thought for the Day:
The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go. Dr. Seuss … [Read more...] about Thought for the Day:
Disinheriting a Grandchild in Your Estate Plan
Estate planning decisions can be difficult to make, particularly if you have a potential heir whom you feel does not deserve to be included, or who will squander the inheritance. If you have a grandchild (or child) who falls into this category, making the decision to cut him or her out of your Last Will and Testament can be heart wrenching. Estate assets typically fall into one of two categories – cash or liquid assets and sentimental or personal assets. Leaving either type to a grandchild can … [Read more...] about Disinheriting a Grandchild in Your Estate Plan
Texas History – Do You Know What San Antonian Served with Neil Armstrong on the First U.S. Space Docking?
On March 16, 1996, command pilot Neil Armstrong and San Antonian David Scott were launched into space on the Gemini 8 mission. The flight was originally scheduled to last three days but terminated early due to a malfunctioning thruster. The crew performed the first successful docking of two vehicles in space and demonstrated great piloting skill in overcoming the thruster problem and bringing the spacecraft to a safe landing. … [Read more...] about Texas History – Do You Know What San Antonian Served with Neil Armstrong on the First U.S. Space Docking?
Thought for the Day:
How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. Anne Frank … [Read more...] about Thought for the Day:
Texas History – Do You Know If the Falls in Wichita Falls are Real?
A flood in 1886 destroyed the original falls on the Wichita River for which the city is named. After nearly 100 years of visitors wanting to visit the non-existent falls, the city built an artificial waterfall beside the river in Lucy Park. The recreated falls are 54 feet high and recirculate at 3,500 gallons per minute. … [Read more...] about Texas History – Do You Know If the Falls in Wichita Falls are Real?
Should I Execute a Durable Power of Attorney?
You are likely familiar with the concept of a power of attorney. You may even have executed one at some point in your life without giving it much thought. A power of attorney can be a very useful, and flexible, addition to an estate plan; however, it is extremely important that you understand the authority conveyed in one, particularly in a durable power of attorney. Despite the name, a power of attorney has nothing to do with your attorney. The two people involved in a power of attorney are … [Read more...] about Should I Execute a Durable Power of Attorney?
