Wills

01 Mar Little Richard’s Brother Says “Good Golly, Miss Molly”

Posted at 10:55h in Beneficiary, Estate Planning, Lawsuits, Medicaid Application, Medicaid Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Probate Administration, Wills

Little Richard’s Brother Says “Good Golly, Miss Molly” After Being Removed as Co-executor and Losing Share of Estate The Tennessee Court of Appeals has ruled that Little Richard’s brother lose a share of the publicity rights to Little Richard’s estate after thwarting a proposed sale of...

25 Feb Court Rules That Estranged, Specifically Disinherited, Daughter Could Be Sole Beneficiary of Mother’s Estate

Posted at 10:23h in Beneficiary, Estate Planning, Lawsuits, Medicaid Application, Medicaid Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Probate Administration, Wills

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court has ruled that, notwithstanding a provision in the decedent’s Will that her daughter was intentionally omitted and disinherited, the daughter could inherit the entirety of her mother’s estate. Linda Giguere prepared a Will in 2012 that if her husband, William, predeceased...

17 Feb Are Mobile Homes a Stepchild in Beneficiary Designations?

Posted at 10:17h in Beneficiary, Estate Planning, Lady Bird Deed, Medicaid Application, Medicaid Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Probate Administration, Public Benefits Protection, Transfer of Death, Trusts, Wills

It is often the goal of many to simply avoid probate even though it is often best to have a Will or Trust to consider protection for the beneficiary. Financial accounts can be established with a beneficiary designation to avoid probate. Real estate can be...

29 Jan Kellie Pickler in a Pickle

Posted at 13:58h in Beneficiary, Estate Planning, Medicaid Application, Medicaid Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Music, Probate Administration, Special Needs, Special Needs Trust, Wills

Kellie Pickler in a Pickle In-laws to Kellie: “These Are Not the Best Days of Your Life” Country star singer and former American Idol contestant, Kellie Pickler, has sued her late husband’s parents in a dispute over who owns certain personal property items after they took...

02 Jan Tax Planning as a Result of Trump’s Election

Posted at 09:05h in Beneficiary, Estate Planning, Medicaid Application, Medicaid Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Probate Administration, Taxes, Transfer of Death, Trusts, Wills

The election of Donald Trump and the control of both the House and Senate by the Republican Party is likely to have a great impact on tax planning. As a result, planning strategies could change. Higher Estate Tax Exemption As of January 1, 2025, the federal estate...

23 Dec 10 Ways to Make Things Easier for Others In the Event of Your Death or Disability

Posted at 08:40h in Beneficiary, Disability Benefits, End of Life Care Planning, Estate Planning, Medicaid Application, Medicaid Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Power of Attorney, Probate Administration, Quality of Life, Retirement, Trusts, Wills

No one likes to think about death or disability, but here are a few tips to make things easier for your heirs, beneficiaries, or those you trust. 1. Keep your estate planning documents in a safe place It is generally more difficult to probate a copy of...

27 Nov Estate Planning Decision Tree Chart for Will vs. Revocable Living Trust – 20 Issues

Posted at 10:23h in Asset Protection, Beneficiary, Business, Divorce, Estate Planning, Guardianship, Lady Bird Deed, Medicaid Application, Medicaid Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Probate Administration, Public Benefits Protection, Special Needs, Special Needs Trust, Taxes, Transfer of Death, Trusts, Wills

Estate Planning Decision Tree Chart for Will vs. Revocable Living Trust – 20 Issues One of the most common dilemmas in estate planning is whether it is better to have a Will or a Revocable Living Trust (RLT). There are numerous types of trusts, but this...

10 Oct Are Beneficiary Designations Beneficial To My Beneficiary?

Posted at 13:17h in Asset Protection, Beneficiary, Disability Benefits, Divorce, End of Life Care Planning, Estate Planning, Guardianship, Lady Bird Deed, Long Term Care, Medicaid Application, Medicaid Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Power of Attorney, Probate Administration, Public Benefits Protection, Retirement, Taxes, Transfer of Death, Veterans, Wills

Beneficiary designations (where you name one or more beneficiaries to receive assets of yours upon your death) are sometimes a great and simple tool in estate planning, but sometimes, they could lead to a disastrous result. Beneficiary designations supersede your will. Thus, there could be...

26 Aug Matthew Perry’s Estate Plan – A Friend to Many Even After Death

Posted at 10:38h in Beneficiary, Charitable Giving, Estate Planning, Medicaid Application, Medicaid Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Probate Administration, Taxes, Transfer of Death, Trusts, Wills

Matthew Perry, well-known for his role as Chandler Bing in the popular television show “Friends”, preferred that he be remembered for helping others. Perry, who fought his addiction to alcohol and opioids for many years prior to his death last year at age 54, may have...

08 Apr What Makes A Will Valid? Where There Is A Will, There Is A Way

Posted at 11:46h in Estate Planning, Medicaid Application, Medicaid Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Notarizations, Probate Administration, Wills

Is a photocopied form signed by the testator (the one who makes the will), before 2 witnesses a valid will? What if the will is only initialed by the testator? What if the testator signs with an “X”? What if the will was signed by...