Attorney James N. Voeller, Rebecca L. Jaroszewski and Rebekah Meeks Schement
When a person dies or becomes incapacitated, successor trustees are required to take over and follow the directions created in the trust. The process of trust administration can be complicated and confusing. So frequently the trustee will seek out a qualified trust administration attorney to help manage the process. An experienced legal team will help remove the stress, confusion and…
When people think of estate planning, they tend to focus on the distribution of an individual’s assets and other property when they pass away. But actually, tax planning is an essential part of every estate plan. Estate taxes can apply when the decedent has a will in place, but there are ways to minimize these taxes. Consulting with an experienced…
The challenge of caring for a disabled or special needs family member can be rewarding, but also exhausting financially and emotionally. By establishing a special needs trust, you can provide additional financial support for your elderly parents, disabled children or other loved ones without affecting their government support. A special needs trust can help you enhance your family member’s quality…
A revocable trust is a great opportunity while you are alive to designate exactly how you would like your estate, including property and assets, to be handled in case you become incapacitated or if you should pass away. Revocable trusts are not just for the rich and famous. They are an important component for all individuals during their estate planning…
Probate is the legal process where authority over your property is passed to someone else under court supervision and control. After the court determines that your will is valid, the personal representative is responsible for taking control of your assets, notifying and paying any creditors, filing income and estate tax returns, and distributing your property as directed by the will…
Probate administration refers to the handling of an estate of a person who has died. Whenever a person dies, their estate needs to be collected and managed. Estate administration involves gathering the assets, paying the decedent’s debts, and distributing the remaining assets. Without a basic understanding of the estate administration process, the whole experience can be pretty overwhelming. A qualified…
Most people are familiar with the legal term “power of attorney,” but many do not realize how important it is to designate another party to handle their affairs in situations where they are not able to do so. When you least expect it, your life can take a turn for the worse, putting you or your family in a position…
When it becomes necessary to put family members in long-term care facilities, we expect our loved ones to be treated well. Unfortunately, a recent study by AARP revealed that cities such as San Antonio and all throughout the state of Texas ranked towards the bottom (35th overall) for quality of life and care in this category. The Statistics According to…
People are living longer and life expectancy continues to increase. As a result, planning for the possibility of long-term health care has become a critical component of estate planning. Long-term health care is expensive. Whether the health care is provided in a nursing home or the patient’s home, costs can quickly deplete even the wealthiest person’s bank account. For people…
For some business owners, a limited liability company, also known as an LLC, is the optimum business structure because it limits the owner’s legal responsibility and has features similar to both corporations and partnerships. LLC means that the member cannot be held personally responsible for business debts and obligations. In an LLC, the member’s personal assets are shielded from the…