Estate Planning

Texas is a “community property” state. With few exceptions, in the state of Texas, any property acquired during the marriage and all income earned during the marriage is presumptively “community property”. Each spouse owns a one-half (1/2) undivided share of the community property. Thus, it follows under Texas law that each spouse has a right […]

An Enhanced Life Estate Deed or “Ladybird Deed” is a legal document that transfers interest in real property, or real estate, to someone else during the owner’s lifetime while reserving property rights to the original owner. Under a Ladybird Deed, the original owner of the property or “Grantor” retains a life estate in the real

A Transfer on Death Deed or “TODD” is a legal document that transfers an owner’s interest in real property, or real estate, to someone else upon the owner’s death. To be valid under Texas law, a Transfer on Death Deed must be in writing, signed by the property owner, notarized, and recorded in the county

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) is a federal law designed to protect the privacy and security of certain “protected” health information. In sum, HIPAA prevents healthcare providers such as hospitals, physicians, pharmacies, and other healthcare workers from disclosing your medical records and other protected health information, or “PHI”, to third

When a person is unable to care for themselves, or their property and finances, due to a mental disability or severe physical disability, a guardianship may be necessary. A guardianship is a legal proceeding. When a court determines that a person is incapacitated—unable to care for themselves or their property—the court will appoint a guardian

Before a person becomes incapacitated, they can state in advance, their wishes for end-of-life care and treatment. This legal document, sometimes called a “living will” or “advance medical directive” is known in Texas as a “Directive to Physicians and Family or Surrogates”. Hospitals and treating physicians often ask patients when they come in for a