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International Marriages and Estate Planning

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Every year the world gets a little bit smaller. As travel between countries becomes easier, and businesses go global, and people from different countries mix much more than they did just a few decades ago. One consequence of the ever shrinking globe is that international marriages are far more common today than they have ever been. In fact, nearly five million Americans were married to someone from another country in 2010 – double the number of international marriages that existed in 1960. … [Read more...] about International Marriages and Estate Planning

Texas History – Do You Know When Women First Served as Jurors in Texas?

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On May 18, 1953, the Texas Legislature passed House Joint Resolution 16, which proposed an amendment to the Texas Constitution providing that qualification for service on a jury should "not be denied or abridged by reason of sex." It passed the Texas House by a vote of 123 to 6 and the Texas Senate by a vote of 32 to 7. The proposed Constitutional amendment was presented to the voters of Texas on November 2, 1954. The amendment passed with 57 percent of the votes favoring the change. Less than a … [Read more...] about Texas History – Do You Know When Women First Served as Jurors in Texas?

How to Discuss Estate Planning with Your Parents

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Talking about financial matters with your parents is probably not easy. By the same token, talking about the inevitable death of your parents is probably not something you want to do; however, sitting down with you parents and discussing their estate plan is something you should make an effort to do. As members of the baby boomer generation ease into their golden years, the country awaits the largest wealth transfer ever from one generation to the next. If your parents are part of the baby … [Read more...] about How to Discuss Estate Planning with Your Parents

Texas History – Do You Know the Name of Judge Roy Bean’s Combination Courtroom and Saloon?

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Judge Roy Bean’s combination courtroom and saloon, known as the Jersey Lily, was located along the Rio Grande in a desolate stretch of the Chihuahuan Desert of Southwest Texas. Bean did not allow hung juries or appeals, and jurors, who were chosen from his best bar customers, were expected to buy a drink every court recess. After his death, Western films and books cast him as a hanging judge, though he is known to have sentenced only two men to hang, one of whom escaped. … [Read more...] about Texas History – Do You Know the Name of Judge Roy Bean’s Combination Courtroom and Saloon?

Long-Term Care – Are You Prepared for the Future?

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As we age we typically require additional medical care and assistance to complete day to day tasks. With the average life expectancy pushing ever higher, we can now plan on living longer. Living, however, costs money, particularly if it involves paying for a long-term care facility or assisted living home. With the recent recession not far from our minds and the fear that the Social Security system will fail, long-term care estate planning has become even more important. Financial planning for … [Read more...] about Long-Term Care – Are You Prepared for the Future?

Texas History – Do You Know What Texas Governor Never Held Office Prior to Becoming Governor?

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Thomas Mitchell Campbell never held a political office until he served as governor from 1907 to 1911. In his two terms in office, Campbell initiated a number of reforms involving railroad regulation, equitable taxation, and lobbying restrictions. The most significant legislation centered on prison reform, as Campbell’s administration ended the contract lease system for inmates and implemented more humane treatment of prisoners. Under Campbell, many state agencies also came into being, including … [Read more...] about Texas History – Do You Know What Texas Governor Never Held Office Prior to Becoming Governor?

What a Succession Plan Can Do for You

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If you own a business, you need a succession plan. Whether your business is just a small side business that earns a little extra spending money or your business is a complex partnership that provides for your family, the bottom line is that anyone who owns an interest in a business needs to have a succession plan in place within their overall estate plan. A succession plan can accomplish two vital tasks—provide continuity in the event you become incapacitated and transfer your interest in the … [Read more...] about What a Succession Plan Can Do for You