When a court appoints a guardian to care for an elderly or disabled person, the individual appointed is entrusted with the responsibility to oversee and make many decisions in the best interests of the person under their care. Other times, guardianship alternatives...
Year: 2012
Contentious estate administration: Kinkade and the girlfriend
The estate of Thomas Kinkade, including original artworks left by the artist, is said to be valued at just over $66 million. With that amount of money at stake, an estate administration battle is currently raging between the artist's family and his former...
Texas estate planning can include long-term care insurance
There are many aspects of estate planning some may not consider as they work to plan for their future. One consideration for people in Texas may be the idea of long-term care insurance as a part of estate planning. This type of insurance, with some policies, can offer...
Prince William inherited $15.5 million from Diana on 30th birthday
Princess Diana was one of the most famous people in the world when she passed away after a car accident in 1997. Prior to her death, she, like many people in Texas, had created an estate plan designed to ensure that her wishes for the distribution of her estate to her...
Estate planning ideas vary between generations
More than a third of wealthy baby boomers in Texas and elsewhere across the country have not discussed their finances with their children. In addition, these potential beneficiaries may not be aware that their parents may be planning to give much of their wealth to...
Proper estate planning can ensure that wishes are followed
For some, creating an estate plan is about leaving money to their children. For others, the estate plan is focused more on funding a charity or organization that supports an important cause. Regardless of the intent of your estate planning, it is important that...
Small-business owners worry about possible estate tax change
Building and maintaining a family business -- whether large or small -- can take time, money and effort, as many in Texas know. That is why it is important for many to consider how to save the family business when they begin estate planning. One of the considerations...
Gore-Tex heirs battle it out in court over adoption
When a person creates a trust to distribute assets after their death, it is often with the intention to share their wealth with family members. In some cases, the amount of money being transferred to heirs is significant, a fact that can lead people to take creative...
‘Diff’rent Strokes’ star beneficiaries fight over his estate
After a person passes away in Texas, it is likely that a will or trust will be dispersed as per the estate-planning documents. In some cases, the heirs and beneficiaries are not satisfied with some terms of the estate plan and seek court intervention. When this...
Estate planning: don’t forget social media presence
With the proliferation of social media websites such as Facebook, it seems that nearly everyone in Texas and elsewhere has an online life. The increase in use of these types of online sites has created a new area of consideration for those thinking about estate...