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many recent reports regarding the petition that Britney Spears’ father, Jamie Spears, filed with the Court in place so that you or a loved one does not have to go through the same conservatorship process and court Although her father petitioned to the court to end the conservatorship, the court must approve the order If the court approves to terminate Spears’ conservatorship, then the #FreeBritney movement will have What to do to prevent this from happening to you As everybody is aware of how much court costs can be

In fact, it was only after an heir-hunting firm saw the court record generated when the public administrator filed Brown’s probate case that any other blood relatives came forward.

Properties held in a properly-crafted trust do not count as assets when you are applying for Medicaid Irrevocable trusts also allow you to pass on properties outside of the probate system, and without paying

Of course, that is easier said than done – especially if you live in the great state of Texas. Without a will in place dictating their preferences, the court will decide how assets should be distributed Of course, there are some exceptions to the rule.

Hegwood explains that guardianship is a legal process where a court appoints someone to manage an individual Guardianship in Texas is a protective legal process where a court appoints a guardian to have partial For example, if a loved one with special needs is transitioning out of high school, the court assesses

Seeking emergency guardianship through the courts is one way to legally gain decision-making ability In the absence of alternatives and if there is an immediate danger to the parent or their estate, a court The court will always favor the least restrictive alternatives to guardianship and only authorize the Attending court hearing – judge decides whether to appoint an emergency temporary guardian. If the court has an assigned court investigator, they will visit annually to make sure the Ward’s needs

1. Set goals. Set out your short-term and long-term goals with your family, spouse, or significant other. If you’re single, make a list for yourself. Be as specific as you can and brainstorm, then prioritize these items by picking your top four or five. Attach a cost to these to see if they are achievable within your budget. 2. Develop a new budget. Review last year’s spending and see how it aligns with your values and your goals. Then, develop a new budget using last year’s as a benchmark. Move your expenses to reflect your core values while also incorporating the top four or five priorities from the first step. 3. Open multiple savings accounts. Set aside specific, separate savings accounts for some of your goals to ensure that you won’t raid savings for one expenditure to use for another and to make it easier for you to spend money as planned. 4. Summarize your net worth. Include the value of your assets. Include real estate, cash, investments, life insurance cash value, jewelry and cars. Next, list what you owe on auto loans, mortgages, credit card debts, and student loans. The difference is your net worth. 5. Summarize your insurance. Create a summary sheet for your health, life, disability, liability, and long-term care insurance policies and include expirations dates and the basics for each one. 6. Review your investments. See if your total exposure to the stock market makes sense given your risk tolerance and your proximity to retirement. 7. Check on your estate plan. Review the titling of your accounts, your beneficiary designations, and your estate planning documents to see if they still apply or whether changes are needed. Schedule a visit with your estate planning attorney to make the revisions. If you don’t have a will, ask the attorney to draft one ASAP. Dying without a will can create complex and expensive consequences for your loved ones. 8. Organize your financial documents. Create a file for all of your financial documents and include a list of all current credit cards, driver’s license, monthly bills, the location of your safe deposit box and keys, marriage and birth certificates, passports, online passwords and account numbers and a video recording of your home contents. Personally identifiable information should be in a secure, encrypted electronic file or in a safe deposit box. Each item on this list is important, but you don’t have to do everything all at once. Set aside some time each week to work on your financial to-do list so it’s not so overwhelming. It’s important to set yearly goals and to simplify and improve your financial picture. Reference: Nerd Wallet (January 7, 2016) “How to Improve Your Finances in 2016” #HoustonAssetProtection #EstatePlanningLawyer #ProbateAttorney #WillChanges #HoustonWills #Inheritance

If grandma contributes the $50,000 in the first year, it’ll be prorated over the next five years at $14,000

These findings were highlighted in the Barron’s article, “Preparing for Inheritance: How to Avoid Losing It All,” which also notes that smart financial, tax, and estate plans by themselves don’t create good stewards of wealth. Senior generations have to teach their heirs about the legacy they’re going to inherit, uniting the family unit around its accomplishments and civic engagement. When it does this, it has a better chance to preserve the family fortune as well as the family bond. Communication lets heirs have an understanding of their predecessors’ values, responsibilities, and choices. This may reveal ideals, beliefs, values, and shared visions that might otherwise have been left unsaid and allows the family to foster a common vision to support a common purpose for future generations. Annual family meetings should be scheduled with a goal of promoting family harmony. Eventually the family’s principal advisors, including those for legal, tax, and financial concerns, should receive a copy of a “heritage statement.” This is a formal document of the family’s story, values, and vision, and when it’s updated, the advisors should also get a new copy. A heritage statement should sharpen the family’s vision as it is to be shared outside the family. With a clearly defined vision, advisors’ recommendations can be coordinated with the family’s goals, beliefs, and values. Your family can up its chances of maintaining wealth rather than destroying it with the use of family meetings and the heritage design process for wise financial and estate planning. Contact a qualified estate planning attorney to assist you. Reference: Barron’s (November 7, 2015) “Preparing for Inheritance: How to Avoid Losing It All” #AssetProtection #HoustonEstatePlanning #HeritageStatement #Inheritance #HoustonEstatePlanningLawyer #TaxPlanning #HoustonProbate #HoustonTrustsandEstates #HoustonProbateAttorney

This depends on a lot of factors and can involve a very complicated court process. There are several court proceedings that must occur before property can be passed on. The court has to determine who the heirs of the deceased are and may have to appoint an administrator

In such cases, the remainderman may have the right to seek a court order for the life tenant's removal Involuntary removal, however, may require legal action and a court order. The Role of Courts in Life Estate Conflicts Courts play a key role in resolving life estate conflicts Court cases can take a long time and cost a lot of money. They can provide advice, represent you in court, and help negotiate settlements or agreements. 

Sumner Redstone has been ordered to sit for a one-hour psychiatric evaluation as part of an ongoing court “The court is confident that a more informal conversation between a doctor and patient, with an experienced Read, will be far more productive than an adversarial deposition with attorneys and a court reporter