Our next free Estate Planning Essentials Workshop will be live on Thursday, August 3, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. until noon. We will also be having another workshop on Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. until noon. Registration can be made by calling us at (214) 720-0102 or signing up online at www.dallaselderlawyer.com.

Attendees often ask questions about estate planning, probate, Medicaid and Veterans benefits. We proceed to answer the questions over the course of the workshop (although there will be a presentation also).

The ownership of a series of sketches (worth many millions of dollars) entitled “So you want to see the President” by famed American artist Norman Rockwell, that was originally published in the Saturday Evening Post, has resulted in an estate battle approximately 75-80 years after a gift of the artwork.

Truth is sometimes stranger than fiction. Kouri Richins (“Kouri”) has been held without bail on charges of criminal homicide, aggravated murder and three counts of possession of a controlled substance (fentanyl) in connection with the murder of her husband, Eric. Based on autopsy and toxicology reports, Eric had five times the lethal dosage of fentanyl in his system. Prosecutors claim Kouri served Eric a Moscow Mule full of fentanyl prior to his death.

The opioid crisis is real. Fentanyl is in the news seemingly on a daily basis. Drug and alcohol addiction of a family member or relative is an issue often discussed in estate planning. A beneficiary with an addiction who receives assets outright will often simply use the funds on the addiction.

A milestone event in the fight against Alzheimer’s Disease occurred on July 6 when the FDA gave approval for a drug (Leqembi) that not only slows memory loss for those with Alzheimer’s Disease, but it was granted funding approval by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).  Leqembi helps clear amyloid (usually found in the brains of those inflicted with Alzheimer’s Disease).  Testing showed the drug results in the slowing of memory by 27%.