Beneficiary

02 Jun COURT RULES AGENT UNDER POWER OF ATTORNEY CANNOT DEED PROPERTY TO SELF

Posted at 09:03h in Beneficiary, Estate Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Power of Attorney

During the lifetime of the person who signed a power of attorney (hereinafter the “Principal”) which gave broad powers (including the right to deed property) to the Agent, the Agent deeded certain real property owned by the Principal to himself (the Agent). After the Principal...

26 May APPELLATE COURT RULES “GEORGE JEFFERSON” HAD CAPACITY TO SIGN HIS WILL

Posted at 09:13h in Beneficiary, Estate Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Power of Attorney, Wills

The attorney for Sherman Hemsley (who played the character George Jefferson in the television shows “All in the Family” and “The Jeffersons”) decided to not draft a will for his client since he feared a will contest due to Hemsley’s celebrity status. However, the attorney...

14 Jan Court Rules that Father Cannot Marry his Son

Posted at 08:00h in Beneficiary, Inheritance, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Taxes

A Pennsylvania court recently ruled that a man who had adopted his same sex partner as his son in 2012, cannot annul his adoption so that he could marry his partner (adopted son). Prior to the U.S. Supreme Court decision which prohibited the ban by states...

11 Dec Congressional Bill Limits Use of Annuities in Medicaid Planning

Posted at 16:42h in Beneficiary, End of Life Care Planning, Long Term Care, Medicaid Application, Medicaid Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Nursing Home, Retirement, Social Security

The House of Representatives has a proposed bill (HR 1771) that would change long established rules for the use of single premium immediate annuities in planning for the protection of a well-spouse (commonly referred to as the “community spouse”) if his or her spouse needs...

19 Aug TEXAS TRANSFER ON DEATH DEED ACT SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

Posted at 06:00h in Beneficiary, Estate Planning, Lady Bird Deed, Probate Administration, Transfer of Death

On June 17, 2015, Governor Abbott approved the bill authorizing a revocable deed on the death of the transferor. The law becomes effective September 1, 2015. Similar to bank accounts that are “paid on death”, this law allows the transfer of real estate on the...

10 Apr SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST FUNDED BY IRAs

Posted at 06:00h in Beneficiary, End of Life Care Planning, Inheritance, Medicaid Planning, Medicare, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Retirement, Special Needs, Special Needs Trust, Trusts

To Stretch or Not? According to a U.S. Census report, around 13 percent of our U.S. population who are not in an institution are disabled. It is anticipated with an aging population that over 50 million Americans are disabled. As a result, many plan for those...

18 Mar IRAs UNDER ATTACK!

Posted at 06:00h in Beneficiary, Financial Powers of Attorney, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Retirement

President Obama has attacked Individual Retirement Account (IRAs) as indicated by his Fiscal Year 2016 Budget released two weeks ago. Although probably most provisions will not likely be passed by congress, it paints a clear picture what the administration would like to do. Although there...

27 Feb TRANSFER ON DEATH (“TOD”) DEEDS

Posted at 06:00h in Beneficiary, Estate Planning, Guardianship, Lady Bird Deed, Medicaid Planning, Power of Attorney, Probate Administration, Transfer of Death, Wills

Most of us are familiar with POD or “Pay on Death” provisions in bank accounts, but many are not familiar with real estate passing at death without a will or trust. Among the crop of new legislation being considered by the 84th Texas Legislature is...

Beneficiary

02 Jun COURT RULES AGENT UNDER POWER OF ATTORNEY CANNOT DEED PROPERTY TO SELF

26 May APPELLATE COURT RULES “GEORGE JEFFERSON” HAD CAPACITY TO SIGN HIS WILL

14 Jan Court Rules that Father Cannot Marry his Son

19 Aug TEXAS TRANSFER ON DEATH DEED ACT SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

10 Apr SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST FUNDED BY IRAs

18 Mar IRAs UNDER ATTACK!

27 Feb TRANSFER ON DEATH (“TOD”) DEEDS

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Beneficiary

09 Jun WHAT IS A MILLER TRUST?

02 Jun COURT RULES AGENT UNDER POWER OF ATTORNEY CANNOT DEED PROPERTY TO SELF

26 May APPELLATE COURT RULES “GEORGE JEFFERSON” HAD CAPACITY TO SIGN HIS WILL

14 Jan Court Rules that Father Cannot Marry his Son

11 Dec Congressional Bill Limits Use of Annuities in Medicaid Planning

09 Sep Happy 80th Birthday Social Security!

19 Aug TEXAS TRANSFER ON DEATH DEED ACT SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

10 Apr SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST FUNDED BY IRAs

18 Mar IRAs UNDER ATTACK!

27 Feb TRANSFER ON DEATH (“TOD”) DEEDS