Estate planning may not be a high priority for many people, but it should be for several reasons. A comprehensive estate plan helps you protect your property and provide for your heirs during and after your lifetime. Your estate planning documents also allow you to remain in control of important financial and medical decisions if you become incapacitated. Meeting with a

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People often use trusts as part of an estate plan. These arrangements can reduce your estate taxes and offer additional benefits that you do not get with a simple will. Trusts usually do not go through probate, so your beneficiaries might get to access the assets more quickly than they could through a will.

When you set up a trust, a third party, called the trustee, holds the assets as a fiduciary for the people you designate as beneficiaries. Because trusts are usually not filed with the court, the terms of your trust remain private.
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Social Security disability pays benefits to individuals who are unable to work because of a qualifying disability. Workers who become disabled may be entitled to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Low-income individuals who are disabled may be entitled to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Under both disability programs, you may work part-time and still receive benefits under some circumstances. A

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Many people consider estate planning as a way to ensure their wishes are carried out upon their death. However, estate planning also includes incapacity planning. Our Texas incapacity planning lawyers discuss reasons you need to plan for incapacity in this article, as well as the legal documents that can protect you and your family in the event you are unable to care for yourself or make financial decisions for yourself.
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You can apply for Social Security disability benefits through the SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) Program or the SSI (Supplemental Security Income) Program. Both programs require individuals to complete a detailed disability application. The disability application provides essential information that the SSA requires to determine if an individual is entitled to receive Social Security disability benefits.

Our

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Texas property owners have two options for transferring property to another person to avoid property. In addition to the Ladybird Deed, Texas lawmakers enacted laws creating a Transfer on Death Deed in 2015. However, each of these deeds has specific requirements and advantages. Before utilizing a Ladybird deed or a Transfer on Death Deed, you may want to consult a Read more . . .

If you are unable to work because of an impairment or disability, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. The Social Security disability insurance program is administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). As you work, you pay a portion of your wages into the system through FICA taxes. The amount you may receive for disability benefits is based on your average earnings as you paid into the Social Security system. If you have questions about how much you may receive in Social Security benefits, you can consult with aRead more . . .

A Special Needs Trust can be used during your lifetime to provide for a loved one with special needs. The trust may also be used after your death to protect your loved one’s inheritance while providing for the needs of your loved one. These types of trusts can be complex, and the consequences for getting it wrong – dire. It is best to work with an experienced Read more . . .

Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits can be a complex and lengthy process. Some individuals are denied multiple times and forced to appeal the denials before they are granted disability benefits. You may be required to appear before an Administrative Law Judge if your SSDI application is denied. Even though the hearing may be less formal than hearings in other courts, hiring a Texas disability hearing lawyer can help you avoid some of the pitfalls that could result in a denial of your SSDI benefits.

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If you have a comprehensive estate plan, you are one step ahead of many people. However, drafting and executing an estate plan is only the first step in protecting your future, your family, and your property. You need to periodically review your estate plan with your Texas estate-planning lawyer to ensure the plan still represents your wishes and desires.

Furthermore, changes in your life, your financial status, and various laws may require modifications of your estate plan. Failing to review your estate plan periodically may result in your loved ones facing situations after your death that you tried to avoid by drafting an estate plan. All your hard work in developing a comprehensive estate plan could go to waste if you do not invest the time necessary to review the plan periodically.

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It is easy to confuse the role of a guardian and a conservator if you are not a Texas conservatorship lawyer or someone who is familiar with the Texas Estate Code. A guardian is appointed to make decisions regarding health care, living arrangements, and other non-monetary decisions for a minor or an adult who is judge incapacitated. A guardian may also be referred to as a conservator of the person.
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