How to Talk to Your Parents About Estate Planning
I know how difficult it can be to talk about death with a parent or even a grandparent. And often times, it may even seem culturally inappropriate. Death is often…
I know how difficult it can be to talk about death with a parent or even a grandparent. And often times, it may even seem culturally inappropriate. Death is often…
Estate planning often gets shelved for 'later'—a decision swayed by misconceptions and myths. It's a critical conversation, though, not just for the golden-aged but for anyone looking to secure their…
Have you ever wondered what happens to someone's belongings after they pass away? That's where probate comes in. It's a term you might have heard in Estate Planning conversations, referring…
Wondering about your duties as an Executor of a Will? We’re here to help! Being an Executor is a legal responsibility, as well as an opportunity to fulfill the wishes…
Wills and Trusts are often paired together in discussions about planning for one’s future. But do they do similar things? Can you have one without the other? And how do…
If you’re a pet owner, you know the special bond that exists between you and your pets, and to many pet owners, our furry friends aren’t just a pet -…
While the quarantines, shutdowns, and social distancing measures related to the pandemic have been difficult for everyone, the elderly have been particularly hard hit. Since seniors face the most health…
With people living longer than ever before, more and more seniors require long-term healthcare services in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. However, such care is extremely expensive, especially when…
As we discussed how Hsieh became an Internet pioneer, starting two wildly successful companies, LinkExchange and Zappos, the latter of which he sold to Amazon for $1.2 billion. It was…
On November 27th, nine days after being pulled unconscious from a house fire in a beachfront home in New London, Connecticut, Tony Hsieh, the former CEO of the online shoe…
It is my pleasure to represent your family for the limited purpose of nominating healthcare agents who will care for you in the event of a disability. By signing this engagement letter, you are acknowledging that our firm is representing you only for the limited purpose of legally nominating healthcare agents and for no other purpose. If you engage our firm for any additional matters, a new engagement letter must be executed.
THE TEXAS DIRECTIVE TO PHYSICIAN AND FAMILY OR SURROGATES EXECUTED ON THIS DATE DOES NOT AVOID PROBATE, PROTECT YOUR CHILDREN’S INHERITANCE FROM THEIR CREDITORS OR PREDATORS, AND DOES NOT PROTECT YOUR ESTATE FROM ESTATE TAX.
You acknowledge that I have advised you on (and you understand) the following:
WITHOUT FURTHER PLANNING, YOUR ASSETS WILL PASS ACCORDING TO TEXAS LAW AND WILL BE FREELY AVAILABLE TO YOUR CHILDREN WHEN THEY TURN 18 YEARS OLD. UPON YOUR DEATH OR DISABILITY, ANY ASSETS TITLED IN YOUR NAME WILL BE PROBATED BEFORE THEY ARE AVAILABLE TO YOUR HEIRS. PROBATE COSTS MONEY, IS TIME INTENSIVE PROCESS AND COMPLETELY OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
This engagement is limited strictly to legal services related to your Texas Directive to Physicians and Family or Surrogates to care for you in the event of your incapacitation or disability. It is understood that you are not relying on my office for estate planning, business, investment, accounting, or valuation decisions, and that before relying on us for any such advice, we will execute a new engagement letter.
If you are married or in a committed relationship and I am advising both you and your partner, by signing this engagement letter, you agree that you are waiving any conflicts that may exist now or in the future between the two of you.
DISPUTES
By this document, the client and this office agree that any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this contract or breach thereof, including but not limited to any dispute relating to services provided, attorney fees or expenses, shall be settled by arbitration administered in accordance with the Texas Arbitration Act and judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator(s) may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.