Texas estate planning - Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer

22 Jun “X” MARKS THE SPOT – MARK WITHOUT INITIALS SUFFICIENT FOR ACCOUNT TO GO TO SURVIVING SPOUSE (NOT CHILDREN)

Posted at 09:45h in Beneficiary, Estate Planning, Inheritance, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Probate

A Texas appellate court has determined that a signature card whereby an “X” in a box titled “JTWROS” on an account of a married couple was sufficient for the account to pass to the survivor even though it was not initialed by them and the...

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...

27 Jan IRS Announces Increase in Gift and Estate Tax Exemptions, Tax Brackets, Etc. for 2025

Posted at 13:53h in Asset Protection, Charitable Giving, Estate Planning, Medicaid Application, Medicaid Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Probate Administration, Taxes, Transfer of Death, Trusts

As of January 1, 2025, you can give up to $19,000 per year, per person (other than gifts of future interests) without reporting to the IRS and without gift taxation. So, for example, if a married couple with three children wanted to give the maximum...