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Choosing Advisors Wisely––Lori A. Leu

May 16, 2014 LIVING WELL Magazine Comments Off

It is an unfortunate reality that there are many people out there ready to profit from and prey on vulnerable individuals. The elderly have always been a prime target for those looking to exploit someone for financial gain, and the numbers are on the rise. According to one report, Texas has one of the highest numbers of elder abuse cases each year, along with California, Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania. One of the most unreported forms of elder abuse is financial exploitation. […]

Key Things to Know About Probate When a Loved One Dies

June 14, 2012 LIVING WELL Magazine Comments Off

Key Things to Know About Probate When a Loved One Dies
By Lori A. Leu & Erin W. Peirce, Texas LIVING WELL Magazines
Have you ever heard someone ask whether a Will or an estate has been “probated,” and wondered, “What is probate?” The term “probate” refers to the judicial procedure wherein a Will is proven to be valid. Over time, the term “probate” has evolved to refer to the legal process in which the estate (everything owned at the time of death) of a deceased person, called the “decedent” is administered, whether or not the person had a Will. […]

Hammerle Finley Law Firm on Authorization Agreements – LIVING WELL Magazine

October 25, 2011 LIVING WELL Magazine Comments Off

Authorization Agreement

By Virginia Hammerle and Craig Fowler, Denton LIVING WELL Magazine
Sometimes the Texas Legislature gets it right.

You need look no further than the recent law with the unwieldy name of “Authorization Agreement for Nonparent Relative.” What a benefit for parents, grandparents and children. […]

Do I have to go to probate court? – Davidge & Wright, L.P., LIVING WELL Magazine

October 25, 2011 LIVING WELL Magazine Comments Off

Do I Have to Go to Probate Court?

By Tiffany S. Wright, Davidge & Wright, L.P., Denton LIVING WELL Magazine

When an individual dies “testate” it means he or she has left a valid will which, if admitted to probate by the probate judge, will define the distributions from that individual’s probate estate. […]

Craig Watson on Planning to Avoid Probate – Texoma LIVING WELL Magazine

March 31, 2011 LIVING WELL Magazine Comments Off

Planning to Avoid Probate and Guardianship without Using a Living Trust

Craig Watson, Texoma LIVING WELL Magazine

Arvie is an 85-year-old widow in good health. She delights in her two adult children, who also enjoy a good relationship. Her will was drafted over a decade ago. She owns a house (debt free) and about $150,000 in cash. She has a long term care insurance policy in case she needs nursing home care. She wonders if she needs a power of attorney and a medical directive, so she schedules an appointment with an elder law attorney. […]