tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59243844417695170152024-03-08T13:58:03.090-06:00Texas Probate and Estate Planning Law BlogCrayonPiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17372854700036758489noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924384441769517015.post-11995800438387116632015-11-06T12:00:00.000-06:002015-11-06T12:00:00.742-06:00Off Shore Trusts: The SEC is Looking; Not Just the SEC<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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In the last 40 years, the estate planning world has, in the
parlance of some, divided into “domestic” and “off shore” practice areas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As part of the response to U.S. citizens
using off shore trusts, the Treasury Department instituted income tax reporting
requirements and the bankruptcy<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>courts
addressed whether language in off shore trusts prevents creditors in the United
States from reaching the assets and compelled compliance by holding the trust
beneficiaries in contempt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Federal
Trade Commission has weighed in. Recently in a Securities and Exchange matter, civil
disgorgement and prejudgment interest imposed by the Southern District Court of
New York against two brothers, Texans (one deceased), will probably result in
an ever greater chill factor on taxpayers and their counsel practitioners when
considering the use of off shore trust planning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Securities and Exchange Commission v. Wyly
and Miller, Executor, 10-cv-5860-SAS (S.D. N.Y. 2014).</div>
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U.S. citizens, resident aliens, and certain nonresident
aliens must report worldwide income from all sources, including foreign
accounts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Income from those accounts is
taxable in the U.S.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Internal Revenue
Service recognizes that there are many legitimate reasons for holding off shore
accounts, including convenience, investing, and facilitation of international
transactions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Often, off shore trusts
are referred to as “offshore asset protection trusts” or “OAPTs”.) To use an
off shore trust or entity to avoid the payment of tax is not allowed. In most
cases, taxpayers with off shore assets need to fill out and attach Schedule B
to their income tax returns; Part III of Schedule B requires information about
foreign accounts and usually requires reporting of the country in which each
account is located. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Certain taxpayers
may also have to fill out and attach IRS Form 8938, Statement of Foreign
Financial Assets. Additional filing requirements apply to those with foreign
trusts.</div>
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Another requirement is that a taxpayer whose foreign
accounts are greater than $10,000 at<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>any
time during the year must file by June 30 each year Form 114, Report of Foreign
Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) electronically through FinCEN’s BSA E-Filing
System.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(For more details on reporting
for foreign accounts, see, “Reporting Requirements for Foreign Accounts”, 39 Tax
Management Estates, Gifts and Trusts J. 140 (Bloomberg USA No. 3, May-June
2014)).</div>
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Bankruptcy courts that have considered off shore trusts
(created under the laws of the Cook Islands, Jersey Channel Islands, Bermuda,
for example) have held that the situs for determining if creditors are able to
reach the assets is determined under U.S. situs law, not the situs of the OAPT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In re Portnoy (Marine Midland Bank v.
Portnoy), 201 B.R. 685 (Bankruptcy, S.D. N.Y. 1996 ; In re Butler, 217 B.R.
98<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Bankruptcy, D. Conn. 1998); In re
Lawrence (Goldberg v. Lawrence), 227 B.R. 907 (S.D. Fla. 1998); aff’d, 251 B.R.
630 (S.D. Fla. 2000, affirming turnover, contempt, and jail time where a
self-settled off shore trust in the Mauritas was in issue), aff’d, 279 F.3d
1294 (11th Cir. 2002).</div>
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Cases outside of the bankruptcy court have also held that
repatriation of off shore trusts’ assets can be ordered where the settlor may
have directed that a “protector” can change the trustee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See the Federal Trade Commission case known
colloquially as the “Anderson case” (discussed more below) where a court held
both Mr. and Mrs. Anderson in contempt when they refused to repatriate assets
in a trust in the Cook Islands and let them do some jail time.</div>
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Federal bankruptcy courts are not the only place where U.S.
Federal law and the interests underlying the law are used to prevent assets in an
off shore trust from being reached by the U.S. citizen’s creditors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 1999, the Federal Trade Commission became
interested in the off shore trust world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Federal Trade Commission v. Affordable Media, LLC, 179 F.3d 1228 (9th
Cir. 1999) deals with a couple with a Cook Islands trust that had a provision
directing any foreign trustee to refuse repatriation if the couple was under
“duress”. Why was the FTC interested?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Did you ever see those late-night television infomercials about
investing and selling bar bells that could be filled with water and also
investing and selling talking pet tags?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Andersons made millions in what has been described as a Ponzi scheme
where they took fees from investors who were never able to recover their
investment, much less make money, and then moved the monies off shore.</div>
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The interest of the Securities and Exchange Commission has
grown over the last 14 years when citizens’ actions really cross the line,
resulting in convictions for securities fraud and conspiracy to defraud the
United States.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Securities and
Exchange Commission v. Bilzerian, 112 F. Supp. 2d 12 (2000), the taxpayer,
after the SEC started proceedings against him, transferred assets to a “complex
ownership structure of off-shore trusts and family-owned companies and
partnerships.”</div>
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More recently, in May 2014,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>the Southern District Court of New York held Samuel Wyly and his deceased
brother, Charles Wyly, liable for civil fraud in failing to report stock sales
by 4 off shore trusts and subsidiary entities (in the Isle of Man) and profits
of $553 million:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>$123.8 million again
Samuel, $63.9 million against Charles and his estate, with prejudgment interest
that could result in $300 to $400 million in penalties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Wylys sat on the boards of the
publicly-traded companies in which the off shore trusts and entities traded,
including holding warrants and options.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The judge’s decision included a finding that the Wylys did not continue
to file required reports with the SEC after transfers to the off shore trusts
because they did not want there to be “inconsistent positions in their SEC and
IRS filings when millions of dollars were at stake.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(The SEC also sued the family’s lawyer – a
former Jackson Walker partner and Jones Day consultant, who entered into a
settlement agreement before the Wylys’ trial admitting wrongdoing and agreeing
to pay $795,000; he also testified at trial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Texas State Bar Association website indicates that this attorney is
now “retired”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(The attorney whose
seminars led to his consultation on off shore trusts for the Wylys later went
to Federal prison for felony money laundering and gambling.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of note is that lawyers’ memoranda and meeting summaries
were admitted into evidence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clearly,
there were repeated discussions about the grantor trust status of the off shore
trusts for income tax purposes and whether purchase of options and warrants
resulted in the off shore entities having taxable, reportable income and also
whether renouncing citizenship could help avoid income taxes in the United
States.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, the court learned of a
non-name meeting between three of the brothers’ attorneys and IRS officials in
2003 (before the IRS had initiated an investigation) to discuss voluntary
disclosure; the attorneys learned that the IRS was very interested in whether
or not SEC requirements had been ignored.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(There is no discussion of the attorney-client privilege and one cannot
but wonder if attorney advice will be used routinely in future cases by federal
entities to help convict clients of federal crimes and hold them liable for
civil penalties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If so, will the
attorney advice also be used to prevent the attorney from practicing before the
Federal entity or affect the attorney’s license in the state(s) of practice?).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The judge (Judge Shira A. Scheindlin) recognized that the
penalties being imposed were large, quite large: “By any reasonable measure,
the disgorgement and prejudgment interest awarded in this proceeding will be
staggering and among the largest awards ever imposed against individual
defendants.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The SEC and defendants had six attorneys on each side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The defendants’ attorneys were all with the
same law firm in three different offices, Dallas, Houston, and New York.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Conclusion:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Federal government wants more and more information about off shore trusts,
investments, and companies in which U.S. citizens have interests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clients with off shore interests should
expect inquiries in one or more of the following areas: (1)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bankruptcy – especially choice of law being
that of the settlor/beneficiary and not (necessarily) that of the state or off
shore jurisdiction where the trust was purportedly established; also Congress
has changed the Bankruptcy Code to say that any transfer to a self-settled
trust within 10 years of bankruptcy can result in trust being included in the
bankruptcy estate (11 U.S.C. § 548(e(1)); (2) Federal Trade Commission – if the
activities that generated the monies (that are then invested off shore)
violated FTC rules (which has clearly happened, but is not necessarily going to
be a frequent occurrence), the weight of the Federal government is likely to be
exercised through the Federal Trade Commission; (3) Securities and Exchange
Commission – the SEC is pursuing citizens and their off shore trusts and
entities when one does not comply with SEC reporting rules; and (4) IRS – the Wyly
opinion indicates that the IRS has an investigation open into the income taxes
that would have been paid had there been no off shore trusts and subsidiary
entities (companies).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Between 1992 and
2002, income related to exercise of options and warrants transferred (some by
sale) to the offshore trusts and then sold was not reported by 4 public U.S.
companies on whose boards the Wylys sat as the Wylys’ position was that the
offshore trusts were not taxable in the U.S.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Federal Judge disagreed, holding that the offshore trusts were
grantor trusts as described in Section 674 of the Internal Revenue Code and
must disgorge an amount equal to the taxes avoided on profits relating to the
exercise of options and sale of stock in the 4 companies where the Wylys were
influential insiders (about $112 million for Sam Wyly and $59 million for
Charles Wyly).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Section 674 of the
Internal Revenue Code treats a grantor as an owner of a trust when the
beneficiary enjoyment of that trust “is subject to a power of disposition,
exercisable by the grantor or a nonadverse party, or both, without the approval
or consent of any adverse party” and that the trustee physically located in the
Isle of Man was not an independent trustee and followed dictates delivered by
the Wylys.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For a discussion of the possible rather serious fallout in
the income tax arena of the Wyly court’s discussion of the offshore trusts as
grantor trusts for income tax purposes based on the manner in which the
offtrusts operated on a day-to-day basis (and not on the actual provisions in
the documentation), see Akers, Resurrection of “De Facto Trustee” Concept –
Securities Exchange Commission v. Wyly, 2014 WL 4792229 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 25,
2014), at <a href="http://www.bessemertrust.com/portal/site/Advisor">www.bessemertrust.com/portal/site/Advisor</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thus, offshore trusts face not only creditors bringing
actions in state court, but various Federal agencies attacking positions taken
by the settlors and beneficiaries of such trusts. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kathleen Ford Bay</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924384441769517015.post-20884680121051689752015-10-16T12:00:00.000-05:002015-10-16T12:00:03.817-05:00Cemetery Plot – Do You Own Any?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you own one or more cemetery plots in Texas, who gets
those plots upon your death?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You might think that the plots will pass pursuant to the
Texas Estates Code and to the persons who receive your “residuary estate” (all
the rest, residue, and remainder of your estate after specifically described
gifts in your Will).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take a look at the
Texas Health & Safety Code, though, and also any contract you have signed
with the cemetery association that oversees the particular cemetery where you
own plots.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What is a
plot?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“ ‘Plot’ means space in a cemetery
owned by an individual or organization that is used or intended to be used for
interment, including a grave or adjoining graves, a crypt or adjoining crypts,
a lawn crypt or adjoining lawn crypts, or a niche or adjoining niches.” Texas
Health & Safety Code § 711.038(25).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Who gets
the plots when you die (to the extent not used for your internment)?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have a Will, you must specifically
describe the plots and then give them to one or more persons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or, during your life, you may do a written
declaration, filed and recorded in the cemetery organization’s office, stating
who is to receive the plots upon your death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Check with the cemetery organization as it may have a form it wants you
to use.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If you do
neither, then the right to use (be interred) in your cemetery plots passes as
follows: (1) to your surviving spouse, (2) to your children in order of need “without
the consent of a person claiming an interest in the plot”, and (3) to your
heirs at law.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Health & Safety Code §
711.039 is where these rules are set forth; it is quite repetitive and not all
that clear,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is clear, however, is
that even though a cemetery plot is real property, unlike a deed to a
residence, commercial buildings, and raw land, its ownership is not conveyed by
filing a deed in the official public records.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Its ownership is recorded with and controlled by the records of cemetery
organization which controls the cemetery where the plot is located.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plots are different from other real property;
see Oak Park Cemetery v. Donaldson, 148 S.W.2d 994 (Tex. Civ. App.-Galveston
1940, writ dismissed) discussing that plots are a right of burial, akin to an
easement, license, or privilege.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Are you
able to sell your cemetery plot to a friend who needs one for a deceased
relative of theirs?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe and maybe
not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You also have to check the contract
with and governing documents of the cemetery organization.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may be surprised to learn that if you
want to sell the cemetery plot, you may be required to sell it back to the
cemetery organization, perhaps for the same amount paid for it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If you have
cemetery plots that are important to your family, please be sure to deal with
them by specifically describing them in your Will or completing paperwork with
the cemetery organization that directs who receives the plots upon your
death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What happens if the plots are
located in a cemetery that no longer has an active cemetery organization?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consult an attorney. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It could well be that the right to the plots
will just keep descending to the heirs of the original owners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the living heirs might be required to
sign off on any interment, such as the placing of ashes into a grave which
already has a relative’s body buried there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This could become rather unwieldy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The living heirs might be able to designate one of them as an “agent” to
give directions regarding the plots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
– <a href="mailto:kathleen@lpvlaw.com" target="_blank">Kathleen Ford Bay</a>.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924384441769517015.post-664398171490132482015-09-25T12:00:00.000-05:002015-09-25T12:00:00.754-05:00Will gives Real Property to Beneficiary/ies; Do You Need Executor to Record a Deed?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Texas, the answer is “no”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(If the decedent died in a county other than
the one where the real property is located, a court-authenticated copy of the
Will and the order admitting the will to probate needs to be recorded in the
other county.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, Texas is a
“title company state” and the new owner or owners really need a title policy
that “insures” ownership to them and insures that if there is ever a challenge
to ownership, including liens on the property, the title company will pay the
legal fees, not the insured owners.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The beneficiary/new owner really should get a title policy
as soon as the Executor indicates that he, she, or it will receive ownership of
the property (that is, the estate is not insolvent and the real property will,
therefore, not have to be sold to pay creditors or, in any event, the real
estate is exempt from non-secured creditors of the decedent).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the beneficiary delays a year or more
after death and probate, the title company may require a deed before it will
insure the title.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The title company may
ask for a deed even if the beneficiary requests one soon after death and the
probate of the Will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll have to
decide if it’s less expensive to have the Executor’s attorney draft a deed or
ask a different title company if it is willing to insure the title without
requiring a deed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Note, that if the Will gives real property to a surviving
spouse who is already on the title policy, title insurance may not be
necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You should review the title
policy and ask the title company, or its successor if it is no longer in
existence, to confirm in writing that the surviving spouse’s ownership is
completely insured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Do not be surprised
if the surviving spouse cannot find it and you have to request a copy from the
title company.) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You may want to pay a title company to run a search of the
real property records (“official public records”) to see if there are any liens
either on the property or recorded in the name of someone with a name similar
to the decedent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, there may
be a mechanic’s lien filed when someone was doing work on your property to
insure that you paid your bill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may
actually have paid your bill and the worker forgot to release the lien.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will either need to get the worker to
sign a release now and, if not available, find out what the title company will
need in order to accept proof that the bill was paid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(In some cases, you may need to get a court
order to that effect.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If there are, you
can decide whether to deal with them currently or wait. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
– <a href="mailto:kathleen@lpvlaw.com" target="_blank">Kathleen Ford Bay</a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924384441769517015.post-23585483653845913192015-09-04T12:00:00.000-05:002015-09-04T12:00:04.528-05:00Opening Accounts Banks and Other Financial Institutions; Making Changes to Accounts: The Know Your Customer Rules and How One Bank is (Mis)Interpreting Them<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Recently, one of the co-authors, Kathleen (Kathy) Bay
encountered the following at J.P. Morgan Chase Bank (“Chase”) where Bay has a
safe deposit box to hold original documents of clients and also other old
accounts (including ones for children) (dating from 1987).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All Bay wanted to do was add another attorney
at the firm as a signatory on the safe deposit box.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a hearing at probate court one day, Bay
and another firm attorney went to Chase.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The customer service gentleman refused to add a new signature unless Bay
revealed to him all investment assets she has that were not at Chase.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The reason?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The customer service gentleman said, basically, that “I have to get this
information as part of Chase’s Know Your Customer rules.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is not Chase; the Federal Government
requires it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bay refused to provide this information, pointing out that
she had been a customer for 25 years and if Chase did not know her yet to its
satisfaction, it never would. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bay also
offered to sign a statement that she had no off shore assets as she thought
perhaps that was one of the concerns Chase might have.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bay has spoken to an attorney in Chase’s general counsel’s
office who stated that Federal law does not specifically require that the
question about a customer’s finances needs to be asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, committee members at Chase developed
the list of questions so Chase can better serve all its customers by “knowing”
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bay noted that she had called a
different bank to ask if it was asking this question; the answer was,
“no”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The counsel’s response:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chase is the first bank to do this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 5 years, other banks will be following
Chase’s lead.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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One can only wonder, why is Chase doing this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a result of Chase’s involvement in the
Bernie Maddoff fiasco, including consent decrees and agreements with the Feds,
Chase may, as of August 1, 2014, have adopted Know Your Customer Rules that
are, in Bay’s opinion, truly overreaching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Is this a case of Chase making lemonade out of the lemons of being under
great scrutiny from the Feds?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is,
if you let Chase know what else you own, will this information be used to try
to get you to transfer your other assets to Chase and to sell you other
products?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Be prepared, though, that if other banks do follow Chase’s
lead, you may either be coerced into revealing private information that you
consider to be “none of the bank’s business” or being in a position where you
are unable to open a bank account or make changes to one you already have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The silver lining?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You should be able to close an account (or
safe deposit box) without revealing private information because you will no
longer be a customer if you do so.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Right now, what Chase asks of a corporation is much less
than what it asks of an individual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
can create a corporation and bypass the overreaching Know Your Customer rules
that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being forced to create a
corporation just to avoid such rules is, in the opinion of this author, yet
another act of overreaching. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">– Kathleen Ford Bay</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924384441769517015.post-76997796524790993052015-08-14T16:46:00.000-05:002015-08-14T16:46:00.150-05:00Durable (Financial) Powers of Attorney, “General”<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Background.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will
want to consider a durable (financial) power of attorney when you engage in
estate and disability planning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will
be giving your agent the ability to do much that you, if personally present,
could do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may appoint your agent
under a “general power of attorney” – with lots and lots of authority -- or a
“limited” or “special” power of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>attorney; for example, a special power of attorney may authorize your
agent to sell a car or your home only.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do
not ever appoint as an agent someone you do not trust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some people do appoint a relative who is not
really trustworthy as agent – this is probably magical thinking: “If I become
incapacitated, surely Johnny Boy, my son, will see the light and behave
properly.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would you tell your best friend to do this?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Texas has adopted the Uniform Power of Attorney Act (set
forth in the Estates Code), including a form (suggested) and the “short form”
powers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, the short form
power “real property transactions” which is on the actual power of attorney is
defined in the Estates Code as granting to the agent a great deal of authority,
including the power to: “sell, exchange, convey with or without covenants,
quitclaim, release, surrender, mortgage, encumber, partition or consent to
partitioning, subdivide, apply for zoning, rezoning, or other governmental
permits, plat or consent to platting, develop, grant options concerning, lease
or sublet, or otherwise dispose of an estate or interest in real property or a
right incident to real property”.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you choose all of the short forms, you will have granted so
much authority to your agent that, colloquially, you will be said to have a
“general power of attorney”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Starting
January 1, 2013, you must initial before each power you want or initial at the
end if you want your agent to have all of the listed powers.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Unless you choose, using the statutory form or a variation,
to make your agent’s authority last beyond your incapacity (effective when you
sign it and good even if you are incapacitated – “durable”) or become effective
on your incapacity (“springing”), your agent’s authority ends if and when you
become incapacitated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your Power of
Attorney is not effective after your death.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Discussion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Co-Agents?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Living Revocable Trust?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you do not have someone who is trustworthy
who you can appoint as an agent, consider a revocable trust (also called as a
“management trust” and a “living trust.”)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With a revocable trust, you can appoint Co-Trustees and require them to
act jointly or allow each to act separately.</div>
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<br /></div>
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If you have someone you trust, you also may appoint one
agent or more a Co-Agents and require the Co-Agents to act jointly or allow
each to act separately.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
BUT,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>please note that
banks and other financial institutions may not want to be responsible for
making sure that Co-Trustees or Co-Agents actually act together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Recently, two children of a client of our
firm were required under the power of attorney he had done years ago to act
jointly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bank refused to honor the
direction that they act jointly (apparently, due to concerns about liability).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, before the bank would allow them to
act at all (even jointly), the bank required that each sign an indemnification
agreement confirming that the bank was not responsible for making sure that
each signed checks or jointly gave transfer and other instructions and also required
each to indemnify the bank against any complaints one might have against the
other as a Co-Agent.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What do you do to plan for your Co-Agents and/or Co-Trustees
refusing to act jointly, especially when the bank is likely not to require
joint actions?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consider asking your
attorney to draft in your Power of Attorney or Revocable Trust a plan to be
triggered if this happens, like granting to the Agent or Trustee who is
following the rule the right to go to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>court without notice to the Agent or Trustee who is taking unilateral
actions and get a temporary restraining order (“TRO”); authorize the Agent or
Trustee who is following the rules to invoke a mandatory mediation or
arbitration to be paid for from funds of the principal (who signed the power of
attorney) or Trust; include a provision that if a Co-Agent or Co-Trustee who is
required to act jointly acts unilaterally, that the Agent or Trustee will be treated
as having resigned and an alternate treated as succeeding as Co-Agent or
Co-Trustee; and look into whether a bank will allow the Co-Agents or
Co-Trustees to pen a so-called safekeeping account (by court order or
otherwise) where nothing will be released to pay bills unless both have signed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
– <a href="http://www.lpvlaw.com/" target="_blank">Cindy W. Veidt, Maura Phelan, and Kathleen Ford Bay</a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924384441769517015.post-37575772882058191522015-07-24T12:00:00.000-05:002015-07-24T12:00:01.921-05:00Required Minimum Distributions in the Year Someone Dies<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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When a beloved family member and/or friend dies, there are
many tasks that should be addressed to make sure that the decedent’s wishes for
transfer of his or her assets are honored: those involving legal matters and the transfer of ownership
of assets, (b) those involving clothing, furniture, and personal property, and
the like for which there is no deed or title, (c)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>those involving cars, motorcycles, boats,
motor homes, and the like for which there is a title or certificate of
ownership, (d) those involving property held by a living person and the
decedent “as joint tenants with right of survivorship” or where the decedent
has an account that is “payable on death” or “transfer on death” to a living
person, and (e) those where you are named as a beneficiary (for example, life
insurance, an IRA, a 401K).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In all of
the flurry of activity, there is one aspect of IRAs that sometimes is not
thought of until late in the year:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
the decedent was over 70 ½ and already receiving Required Minimum Distributions
(RMDs) during life, you should check to see if an RMD was received before
death.</div>
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<br /></div>
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If the decedent had not received an RMD before death,
arrangements should be made for that distribution to occur, hopefully, prior to
the end of the calendar year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First,
there needs to be someone who is authorized to give instructions to the
custodian of the IRA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If there is no
beneficiary named to receive the IRA upon death, then the court-appointed
executor (if there is a Will) or an administrator (if there is no Will or if
there is no one named as executor who is able to serve) may authorize the
delivery of the RMD.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(If the IRA is
payable to a beneficiary other than the executor, that beneficiary may be able
to give directions for distribution and will have to provide a death
certificate to do so.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The penalty for
failure of the RMD to be distributed before the end of the calendar year in
which the decedent died is 50% of the required RMD. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>50%?<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, there may be an exception that
applies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take a look at IRS Form 5329
“Additional Taxes on Qualified Retirement Plans (Including IRAs) and Other
Tax-Favored Accounts”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The IRS can grant
an exemption from the 50% additional tax if the shortfall in the proper
distribution is “due to reasonable error” and “reasonable steps to remedy the
shortfall” are being taken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example,
if no executor has been appointed in time to authorize an RMD before December
31 (of the year in which the decedent died) and an executor is appointed and
able to request a distribution early in the next year, those circumstances are
likely to be deemed to be both “due to reasonable error” and “reasonable steps”
to make sure the RMD is made as quickly as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the past, the taxpayer was required to pay
to the IRS the 50% penalty (additional taxes) and request both a waiver and
refund.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, the taxpayer is not
required to submit the additional taxes and request a refund.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, until the IRS grants the waiver, the
additional taxes may need to be paid and the taxpayer may want to keep on hand
an amount to pay the IRS should the waiver not be granted. </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">– <a href="mailto:kathleen@lpvlaw.com" target="_blank">Kathleen Ford Bay</a></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924384441769517015.post-41461072517457682332015-07-03T12:00:00.000-05:002015-07-03T12:00:00.721-05:00Texas Increases Allowances for Surviving Spouse and Children<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Hooray for modern times! As part of the new Texas Estates
Code, the Texas Legislature finally got around to increasing various exemptions
and allowances for surviving family members.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Section 102.004 of the Texas Estates Code clarifies that the
homestead of a decedent who is survived by a spouse or a <u>minor</u> child is
not liable for the payment of any debts of the deceased’s estate, other than
certain debts which may be secured by that homestead under the Texas
Constitution – essentially, purchase money or home equity liens, ad valorem
property taxes, certain materialmen’s liens, an owelty of partition, or a
reverse mortgage. </div>
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Effective January 1, 2014, Chapter 353 of the Texas Estates
Code sets new amounts for certain allowances that may be claimed by a surviving
spouse or certain children of the deceased, prior to payment of any creditor’s
claims.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Under Section 353.053, in place of a homestead under Section
102.004 (for persons who lease or otherwise do not have a suitable homestead),
qualified survivors can request that the probate court set aside an allowance
up to $45,000 – previously, the maximum allowance in place of the homestead was
$15,000.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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In lieu of any exempt personal property, the survivors can
also request the probate court set aside an allowance up to $30,000 – the
previous cap on this allowance was $5,000.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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These two allowances are in addition to the “family
allowance” that may be requested under Section 353.102 of the Texas Estates Code
for the maintenance of the surviving spouse, minor children, and any adult
incapacitated children for one year from the date of the decedent’s death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Effectively, the Texas Legislature now permits qualified
survivors to set aside up to $75,000 (versus the previous $20,000), as well as
a “family allowance” when necessary, to help provide for their care without the
fear of such funds being seized by the deceased’s creditors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
By: Cynthia W. Veidt, <a href="mailto:cindy@lpvlaw.com" target="_blank">cindy@lpvlaw.com</a>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924384441769517015.post-76426701445065879542015-06-29T14:39:00.001-05:002015-06-29T14:39:28.467-05:00Impact of SCOTUS Ruling on Same-Sex Marriage in Texas Estate Planning and Disability Planning<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">On
June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) in </span><a href="http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/14pdf/14-556_3204.pdf" target="_blank"><em><b><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 12.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Obergefell v. Hodges</span></b></em></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> ruled that all
50 states and the District of Columbia must issue marriage licenses and
recognize marriages regardless of whether the spouses are both male or
female.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In effect, this ruling
guarantees equal protection under the law to same-sex couples concerning not
only marriage, but the property rights and other legal presumptions arising
from marriage.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As
the majority of the Court’s justices have stated:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No union is more profound than marriage, for
it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and
family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than
once they were. As some of the petitioners in these cases demonstrate, marriage
embodies a love that may endure even past death. It would misunderstand these
men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage. Their plea is that
they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment
for themselves. Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness,
excluded from one of civilization’s oldest institutions. They ask for
equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right.”
– Justice Anthony Kennedy. (Please click on the name of the case above if you wish
to read the entire opinion.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">LPV
is ready to assist all couples in understanding their legal rights and
obligations concerning <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">estate planning</i></b> – the method by
which one passes one’s property to others upon death, through probate or
non-probate means, as well as <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">disability planning</i></b> – the method by
which one communicates one’s desires and instructions for addressing short-term
or long-term inability to make legal or financial decisions for oneself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">For
example, you can choose to sign a written document designating who will make
medical decisions for you and who can visit you in a hospital (Medical Power of
Attorney); now, even if you have not done so, your spouse in a same-sex
marriage will have statutory rights to do so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You can also, by signing a Last Will and Testament or beneficiary
designation, choose who will receive your property upon your death; now, your
spouse in a same-sex marriage will have inheritance rights under state law.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only spouses can “roll over” an IRA from the
deceased spouse to their own IRA; now, your spouse in a same sex marriage can
do so and avoid situations where required minimum distributions must start
immediately, even if the surviving spouse has not reached 70 ½ years of age.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">However,
the universal recognition of same-sex marriage in Texas by various
administrators and officials will likely be a rocky road, despite SCOTUS’
historic and unequivocal opinion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Couples
should review their estate planning and disability planning needs with an
attorney so that they can take advantage of a variety of methods suited to
their particular circumstances.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Attorneys
and staff at LPV look forward to serving the needs of all married couples. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">By:
</span><a href="mailto:cindy@lpvlaw.com"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Cindy Veidt</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">, 6/29/2015</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924384441769517015.post-75285590146614226442015-06-12T12:00:00.000-05:002015-06-12T12:00:04.421-05:00Changes to the Texas Statutory Durable Power of Attorney Form<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Effective January 1, 2014, Texas has adopted a new
pre-approved form for its Statutory Durable Power of Attorney, a/k/a the power
of attorney for your financial affairs. All forms must substantially comply
with the new statute in order to remain effective. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Substantial compliance is always a tricky task. In order to
avoid challenges that may be determined in a judge’s discretion, Texas
residents should consider preparing a new statutory durable power of attorney
that closely follows the specific statutory form now contained in Section
752.051 of the Texas Estates Code. We also recommend updating your estate and health
care planning documents – including powers of attorney forms – whenever you
have experienced a significant “life event,” such as the birth or adoption of a
child, marriage, divorce, or the death of a relative or significant other.</div>
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Be sure to initial one or more of the options (marked A
though N) on the new form; otherwise, you have not granted your agent any
powers to act on your behalf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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Additionally, if you want to be sure that you have granted
your agent a “general power of attorney” – the ability to perform any and every
type of legally permissible action in your place, as if he or she were you –
you should include specific language to the effect that “this document shall be
construed and interpreted as a general power of attorney and my agent (attorney-in-fact)
shall have the power and authority to perform or undertake any action that I
could perform or undertake as<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>if I were
personally present.”</div>
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The former statutory durable power of attorney form (Section
490(a) of the now-replaced Texas Probate Code) contained this language; the new
provision does not. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Because this financial power of attorney is a very powerful
tool - and is also ripe for abuse by your agent under the wrong circumstances -
we highly recommend that you consult with an attorney prior to signing this
legal document, so that you are fully aware of the rights, responsibilities,
and potential liabilities that can occur. </div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
By: Cynthia W. Veidt, <a href="mailto:cindy@lpvlaw.com" target="_blank">cindy@lpvlaw.com</a><a href="mailto:cindy@lpvlaw.com"></a>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924384441769517015.post-43599165050745379742015-05-22T12:00:00.000-05:002015-05-22T12:00:01.174-05:00Changes to the Texas Medical Power of Attorney Form<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Texas has adopted a new pre-approved form for its Medical
Power of Attorney, a/k/a the power of attorney for your financial affairs. All
forms signed after January 1, 2014, must substantially comply with the new
statute in order to be effective. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Luckily, the new form – still located at Section 166.164 of
the Texas Health and Safety Code – is substantially similar to the previous
versions of this form. And any Medical Power of Attorney form executed before
December 31, 2013, will not require a revision in order to remain effective, so
long as it complied with the law in effect at the time it was signed.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The primary change in the new Texas Medical Power of
Attorney Form relates to its execution. Now, you can sign the form in front of
a notary without the need for any witnesses. Alternatively, you can sign the
form in front of two witnesses if a notary is unavailable. Section 166.163 of
the Texas Health and Safety Code describes the types of persons who may act as
witness to a Medical Power of Attorney. </div>
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<br /></div>
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By: Cynthia W. Veidt, <a href="mailto:cindy@lpvlaw.com" target="_blank">cindy@lpvlaw.com</a><a href="mailto:cindy@lpvlaw.com"></a>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924384441769517015.post-84192268694848845372015-05-01T12:00:00.000-05:002015-05-01T12:00:00.228-05:00Changes to the “Self Proving” Affidavit for a Texas Will<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Texas has now fully adopted the Texas Estates Code,
effective January 1, 2014. This “new” set of statutes is a recodification of
the former Texas Probate Code, Texas Trust Act, and a number of related
statutes contained in the Texas Health & Safety Code and other statutes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the most important changes involves the “execution
ceremony” for a person’s last will and testament.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Previously, at least one witness was required
to appear in court, usually in person, to “prove up” the authenticity of your
will after your death, unless you (as testator) and the witnesses to your will
also signed a separate attachment called a “self proving affidavit” before a
notary public.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This process led to some confusion, because the testator and
the witnesses had to sign the will in multiple places, and an “overlooked
signature” would cause procedural problems for your executor.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, Section 251.1045 of the Texas Estates Code contains a
combination “attestation and self-proving” clause, so that the testator and
witnesses need only sign a Texas will in one location.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In order to be effective, the language in the
will must be in “substantial compliance” with the specific language set out in
this statute. We recommend copying this clause exactly in order to avoid any
potential complications. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also, this single signature option is only effective for
wills executed on or after January 1, 2014; please check your current will to
make sure that it fully complies with the previous statutes concerning “self
proving” language and signatures.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Because the language of your will – particularly the <u>failure</u>
to include certain language – can affect the type of probate proceedings
required to administer your estate in Texas, we strongly recommend that you
contact an attorney well-versed in Texas estate planning and probate law to
assist you in preparing your last will and other estate planning documents. Self-prepared
wills or wills created with multi-state software programs often fail to take
full advantage of Texas statutes that can help reduce the amount of cost and
time required to finalize your financial affairs once you have passed away. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By: Cynthia W. Veidt, <a href="mailto:cindy@lpvlaw.com" target="_blank">cindy@lpvlaw.com</a>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924384441769517015.post-1812405770291277742015-04-10T12:00:00.000-05:002015-04-10T12:00:04.281-05:00Do You Need a Will to Transfer Your Bank Account?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Probably not, but it certainly wouldn’t hurt to have one
anyway. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also, the funds in your account may not transfer to the people
you think should receive that money. You should check your account agreement
and ask your bank to answer any questions about where your funds will go once
you have passed away. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When you die, your will can only distribute the assets that
you, yourself, own. Your account agreement contains provisions that govern the
extent to which any funds held in a particular bank account actually belong to
you – as opposed to any other people who are also “account holders” or
“authorized users,” or whatever language your financial institution may employ
these days. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are an elaborate number of different types of bank
accounts - joint accounts, multi-party accounts, pay on death accounts,
accounts held for the benefit of one person by another person (sometimes called
a “trust account”), convenience accounts, accounts with rights of survivorship
– the list can be confusing and I have found that most people don’t really know
what type of bank accounts they actually have. In fact, most have never read
their account agreement and didn’t keep a copy for their records.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most likely, your account agreement also contains a
“beneficiary” designation. You probably filled this out (or left it blank) on
the day that you opened your bank account without even thinking about it. That
named “beneficiary” is contractually entitled to receive the remaining funds in
your account, directly from your financial institution, <u>even if your will
says something different</u>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Basically, your last will and testament only transfers
property that has not been dealt with through a separate agreement signed
during your lifetime. Property such as life insurance proceeds, bank accounts,
investment accounts, and similar funds almost always have a “beneficiary
designation” that dictates who will receive those funds after your death,
whether or not your will has been admitted to probate. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Always, always, always read the fine print when dealing with
a financial institution, keep a copy of your account agreements, and
double-check your beneficiary designations.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By: Cynthia W. Veidt, <a href="mailto:cindy@lpvlaw.com" target="_blank">cindy@lpvlaw.com</a>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924384441769517015.post-53613319980861443992015-03-20T14:00:00.000-05:002015-03-20T14:00:03.798-05:00Do You Know Who Gets Your Property If You Die Without a Will?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Well, you may think that you do. And most of you are probably
wrong. At least under Texas law.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Recently, I overheard a well-educated financial expert tell
his clients that they didn’t need to have a will, because Texas is a community
property state and the surviving spouse will inherit everything, anyway.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After figuratively beating my head against a wall for the
next five minute, I decided to revisit this misunderstood topic on our Blog
instead.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Everyone needs a will</u> – here are a few reasons why:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First, don’t assume you’ll have a surviving spouse. Married
couples could both die during an accident, or within 30 days of each other, or
after a divorce - any number of unfortunate circumstances may result in the law
failing to recognize a “surviving spouse.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Second, your surviving spouse does <u>not</u> automatically
inherit everything you own. Other family members, particularly children
(whether they are also children of your surviving spouse or not), will also
inherit certain types of property under Texas law. Add in children from a prior
relationship, and your surviving spouse may receive an unpleasant surprise. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Third, not everything you own is legally characterized as
“community property” just because you happen to be married. And separate
property is treated differently under Texas laws than community property. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fourth, Texas’ statutes governing the distribution of your
property if you die without a will (called being “intestate”) are very
confusing. The Travis County Probate Court has a color-coded pie chart that
helps demonstrate this complexity quite nicely: <a href="http://www.co.travis.tx.us/probate/pdfs/DnD_diagrams.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.co.travis.tx.us/probate/pdfs/DnD_diagrams.pdf</a><a href="http://www.co.travis.tx.us/probate/pdfs/DnD_diagrams.pdf"></a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fifth, your bank accounts and other investments may not pass
by beneficiary designation or a right-of-survivorship clause, which means a
probate court will need to enter a judgment determining the identity and
inheritance rights of your legal heirs. That process will hold up access to
your funds at a time when they are most necessary for your surviving family
members.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why risk an unwanted result, when you can simply prepare a
will that clearly tells everyone how to handle your property after you pass
away?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By: Cynthia W. Veidt, <a href="mailto:cindy@lpvlaw.com" target="_blank">cindy@lpvlaw.com</a>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924384441769517015.post-3886685823798297912014-07-30T11:25:00.000-05:002014-07-30T11:25:29.595-05:00Adding a Self-Proving Affidavit to Your Will<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In Texas, a self-proving affidavit is not required
to make your Will valid, but it does make your Will easier to probate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When properly executed, the self-proving
affidavit dispenses with the need for any live witnesses to testify in court at
the hearing on an application to probate your Will.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span>
</div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Effective January 1, 2014</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">,
Texas will no longer require a separate “self-proving affidavit” on a person’s
Will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until then – because of some
confusion concerning the effective date of the various changes made to Section
59 of the Texas Probate Code by the Texas Legislature – we believe that it is
best to include a separate self-proving affidavit <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">after</i> the signature block where you and the two witnesses have
attested to your Will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As of the date of this blog entry, Texas Probate
Code Section 59 contains the following statutory language for a self-proving
affidavit to a person’s Will:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">THE
STATE OF TEXAS</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">COUNTY
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Before
me, the undersigned authority, on this day personally appeared _______________,
_______________, and _______________, known to me to be the testator and the
witnesses, respectively, whose names are subscribed to the annexed or foregoing
instrument in their respective capacities, and, all of said persons being by me
duly sworn, the said _______________, testator, declared to me and to the said
witnesses in my presence that said instrument is his last will and testament,
and that he had willingly made and executed it as his free act and deed; and
the said witnesses, each on his oath stated to me, in the presence and hearing
of the said testator, that the said testator had declared to them that said
instrument is his last will and testament, and that he executed same as such
and wanted each of them to sign it as a witness; and upon their oaths each
witness stated further that they did sign the same as witnesses in the presence
of the said testator and at his request; that he was at that time eighteen
years of age or over (or being under such age, was or had been lawfully
married, or was then a member of the armed forces of the United States or of an
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Testator</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Witness</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">___________________________</span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Subscribed
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________________ and _______________, witnesses, on this ______ day of
________________, 20____ A.D.</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">(SEAL)</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">(Signed) <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>___________________________</span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It is strongly recommended that you consult with an
attorney prior to signing <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">any</i> legal
document, including your Last Will and Testament; this will help ensure that
the document meets current statutory requirements and that you understand the
significance and consequences of each provision and term contained in the
document. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">By:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><a href="mailto:cindy@lpvlaw.com"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Cynthia W. Veidt</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924384441769517015.post-85357147802430640042014-04-28T12:18:00.000-05:002014-04-28T12:18:10.358-05:00The New Texas Estates Code is Here<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Effective January 1, 2014, Texas has fully adopted the Texas
Estates Code.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This “new” set of statutes
is a recodification of the former Texas Probate Code, Texas Trust Act, and a
number of related statutes contained in the Texas Health & Safety Code and
other statutes.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Although most of the provisions remain unchanged – save for
a new citation – you should make sure to check your estate planning forms to
ensure that they remain effective and comply with any new requirements.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In particular, the new Estates Code has made
some changes to the Statutory Durable Power of Attorney form (the power of
attorney for financial affairs). </div>
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<br /></div>
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We also recommend updating your estate planning documents –
including powers of attorney forms – whenever you have experienced a
significant “life event,” such as the birth or adoption of a child, marriage,
divorce, or the death of a relative or significant other.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By: Cynthia W. Veidt, <a href="mailto:cindy@lpvlaw.com">cindy@lpvlaw.com</a>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924384441769517015.post-55028009339408374832014-03-06T09:52:00.000-06:002014-03-06T09:52:10.267-06:00How Should I Sign My (Texas) Will?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">You must sign and date your Will.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span></span>The Will should also be signed by at least two disinterested
witnesses who are at least 14 years old.<span>
</span>A disinterested witness is someone who is not named as an executor,
trustee, or beneficiary in your Will.<span>
</span>You should also try to avoid using any family members who might inherit
from you under the laws of intestacy as a witness to your Will.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span></span>Under best practices, you should sign the Will in
the witnesses’ presence, and tell each disinterested person that the document
they are signing is your last Will and you want them to witness your Will.<span> </span> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Each witness must sign the Will in your
presence.<span> </span>Although it is not necessary
for the witnesses to sign the Will in each other’s presence, it is better to
have both witnesses sign the Will at the same time and in each other’s
presence, too.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span></span></span>The
witnesses should print their names underneath their signatures and provide an
address at which they may be contacted in the event that their testimony is
needed at a later date. </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In
addition to simply signing your Will, you should consider adding a
“self-proving affidavit” to your Will.<span>
</span>(See separate blog entry re: self-proving affidavits).<span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">It is strongly recommended that you consult with an
attorney prior to signing <i>any</i> legal
document, including your Last Will and Testament; this will help ensure that
the document meets current statutory requirements and that you understand the
significance and consequences of each provision and term contained in the
document. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">By:<span> </span></span><a href="mailto:cindy@lpvlaw.com"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Cynthia W. Veidt</span></a><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924384441769517015.post-4714270922219865352013-09-06T10:25:00.000-05:002013-09-06T10:25:48.528-05:00Before You File an Application to Probate a Will in Texas<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Carefully review the Will and any related documents before you attempt to file any type of application for probate of the Will. What you find can substantially impact the type of probate proceeding necessary in your specific circumstances, the type of notice you must give and to whom, as well as the type of evidence you will need to offer at any hearing on your application. <br /><br />Some key things you should check: <br /><br />
<ul>
<li>Was the Will properly executed by the deceased and at least two witnesses?</li>
<li>Is there a self-proving affidavit attached to the Will, signed by the deceased and at least two witnesses in front of a notary? </li>
<li>Does the language of the self-proving affidavit substantially comply with the statutory form set out in Section 59 of the Texas Probate Code? </li>
<li>Have you located every Codicil that amended or altered the Will (in whole or in part)? </li>
<li>Was each Codicil properly executed by the deceased and at least two witnesses? </li>
<li>Is there a self-proving affidavit attached to each Codicil? </li>
<li>Is the Will (and each Codicil) an original document or a photocopy? </li>
<li>Are you the person named as the first executor in the Will? </li>
<li>Does the Will contain a provision stating that the executor may serve “independently” of the court? (see our previous blog post: <a href="http://texprobateblog.blogspot.com/2009/06/most-important-words-in-your-will.html">http://texprobateblog.blogspot.com/2009/06/most-important-words-in-your-will.html</a>) </li>
<li>Does the Will contain a provision stating that the executor may serve “without bond?” (see our previous blog post: <a href="http://texprobateblog.blogspot.com/2009/06/most-important-words-in-your-will.html">http://texprobateblog.blogspot.com/2009/06/most-important-words-in-your-will.html</a>) </li>
<li>Does the Will contain a “residuary clause” or other language that disposes of all of the decedent’s non-probate property? </li>
</ul>
<br />If the answer to any of these questions is “No,” there will be a few extra steps to take as part of the probate process in your situation. You should seek advice from a probate lawyer to help you determine your next steps. <br /><br />By: <a href="mailto:cindy@lpvlaw.com">Cynthia W. Veidt</a> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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What happens to my property if I die without a will while
unmarried?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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The answer depends on whether you have any surviving children
or other living descendants.</div>
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<br /></div>
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In Texas, if you are not married when you die without a
will, but you have living children (or their descendants), all of your property
is divided equally among your living children (or their descendants).</div>
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<br /></div>
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However, if you are not married and had no surviving
children or other descendants when you die, the Texas probate code will attempt
to keep your property “in the family” by looking for your nearest blood
relative(s).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In general, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li>If you are survived by both of your parents (natural or
adopted, but not step-parents), your mother will inherit one-half and your
father will inherit the other one-half; </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>If you are survived by only one of your parents, and there
are no living siblings or descendants of siblings (nieces, nephews, etc.), your
surviving parent will inherit everything;
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li> If you are survived by only one of your parents, and there
are living siblings or descendants of siblings (nieces, nephews, etc.), your
surviving parent will inherit one-half, and any living siblings (or their
descendants) will split the other one-half into equal shares;
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li> If you are survived by neither of your parents, and there
are living siblings or descendants of siblings (nieces, nephews, etc.), any
living siblings (or their descendants) will split your property into equal
shares; or
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li> If you are survived by neither of your parents, and there
are no living siblings or descendants of siblings (nieces, nephews, etc.), your
property is dividing into two halves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One half will go to any living paternal kin – in other words, any living
relatives of your father, starting at your grandparent’s generation and looking
for any of their descendants – and the other half would go to your maternal
relatives, starting at your grandparent’s generation and looking for any of
their descendants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Texas courts will
look back as many generations as necessary until they find a living blood
relative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>
</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, that email about your great-uncle’s cousin in South
Africa that you’ve never heard about before, the one who left you a
multi-million dollar estate?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah, still
not likely to be true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Always get some
independent confirmation about these matters before you send money or give out
personal identifying information. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since this situation only happens if you die without a valid
will, you can avoid all of that convoluted analysis by simply making a
will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We highly recommend that everyone
have a will for this reason.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is a very good explanation with pie charts of the
foregoing here: <a href="http://www.co.travis.tx.us/probate/pdfs/DnD_diagrams.pdf">http://www.co.travis.tx.us/probate/pdfs/DnD_diagrams.pdf</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By: <a href="http://www.lpvlaw.com/Attorneys.php?Attorney=12|Cindy%20Veidt">Cynthia W. Veidt</a>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924384441769517015.post-48362913944937416452012-10-18T10:48:00.000-05:002012-10-18T10:48:51.395-05:00Texas Intestate Succession: Married With Children<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">What
happens to my property if I die without a will while married, and I also have
children or other living descendants?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In
Texas, the probate code makes different assumptions about how you would have
wanted to distribute your community property versus your separate property, and
then makes further assumptions based on whether your surviving spouse is also
the parent of all of your children.<span> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">For
your <u>separate personal property</u>, your surviving spouse will receive
one-third, and your surviving children (or their descendants) will share
equally in the remaining two-thirds.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If
you owned <u>separate real property</u> (real estate that was not part of the
community property estate with your surviving spouse) – your surviving spouse
will only inherit a one-third life estate in that property, and your surviving
children (or their descendants) will take the remaining two-thirds.<span> </span>Essentially, your surviving spouse will have
the right to use and occupy her one-third share in that property only during
her lifetime; once she dies, that “life estate” will go away, and your
surviving children (or their descendants) will own all of your separate real
property.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">For
your <u>one-half share of any community property</u>, your surviving spouse
would inherit all of your share but only if she is also the parent of all of
your surviving children (or the descendants of any deceased children).<span> </span>If you had any children with someone other
than your surviving spouse, she will inherit none of your one-half interest in
the community property.<span> </span>Instead, all of
your community property interest would be divided equally among your surviving
children (or their descendants).<span> </span>However, your surviving spouse will always retain her one-half share in
the community property estate.<span> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Since
this situation only happens if you die <u>without a valid will</u>, you can
avoid these results by simply making a will.<span> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There
is a very good explanation <u>with pie charts</u> of the foregoing here: <a href="http://www.co.travis.tx.us/probate/pdfs/DnD_diagrams.pdf">http://www.co.travis.tx.us/probate/pdfs/DnD_diagrams.pdf</a>.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">By:
Cynthia W. Veidt, <a href="mailto:cindy@lpvlaw.com">cindy@lpvlaw.com</a> </span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924384441769517015.post-12733396967868495042012-10-01T09:59:00.000-05:002012-10-01T09:59:44.656-05:00Texas Intestate Succession: Married Without Children<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">What happens to my property if I die without a will while
married, and I have no children or other living descendants?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">In Texas, the probate code assumes that you would want your
surviving spouse to inherit all of your one-half interest in your community
property, as well as all of your separate personal property.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you owned any separate real property, though – in other
words, you owned real estate that was not part of the community property estate
with your surviving spouse – Texas law assumes that you would want to keep some
of that real property “in the family.”<span>
</span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">WARNING: THIS GETS COMPLICATED.<span> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here’s how the Texas probate court will divide your separate
real property:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you are survived by your spouse and both of your parents
(natural or adopted, but not step-parents), your surviving spouse will inherit
one-half and each of your parents would inherit one-fourth;</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you are survived by your spouse and only one of your
parents, and there are no living siblings or descendants of siblings (nieces,
nephews, etc.), your surviving spouse will inherit one-half and your surviving
parent will inherit one-half;</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you are survived by your spouse and only one of your
parents, and there are living siblings or descendants of siblings (nieces,
nephews, etc.), your surviving spouse will inherit one-half, your surviving
parent will inherit one-fourth, and any living siblings (or their descendants)
will split the other one-fourth into equal shares;</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you are survived by your spouse, but neither of your
parents, and there are living siblings or descendants of siblings (nieces, nephews,
etc.), your surviving spouse will inherit one-half, and any living siblings (or
their descendants) will split the other one-half into equal shares; or</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you are survived by your spouse, but neither of your
parents, and there are no living siblings or descendants of siblings (nieces,
nephews, etc.), your surviving spouse will inherit all of your separate real
property.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Since this situation only happens if you die without a valid
will, you can avoid all of that convoluted analysis by simply making a will, w<span></span>hich we highly recommend to everyone.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">There is a very good explanation with pie charts of the
foregoing here: <a href="http://www.co.travis.tx.us/probate/pdfs/DnD_diagrams.pdf">http://www.co.travis.tx.us/probate/pdfs/DnD_diagrams.pdf</a>.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">By: <a href="mailto:Cindy@LPVLaw.com">Cynthia W. Veidt</a></span></span>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924384441769517015.post-83232070705907624152012-08-27T17:48:00.000-05:002012-08-27T17:48:46.100-05:00What Happens to My Property if I Die Without a Will in Texas?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">If
you die without a will, or if your will did not distribute all of your
property, or if the probate court finds that your will is not valid, you are
considered to be “intestate.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Texas has
adopted a complex system of statutes that determine what happens to your
property if you are intestate.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">First,
the probate court must determine whether you were married and if you had any
children or other living heirs at the time of your death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a significant difference in how your
property will be treated if you died while:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Married
without children;</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Married
with children or other descendants and:</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">All
children are also children of your surviving spouse; or</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">b.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Some
or all children are not also children of your surviving spouse;</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Unmarried
with children or other descendants; or</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Unmarried
with no children or other descendants.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Each
of these situations can become complex, so they will be discussed in separate
blog entries.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">By:
<a href="http://www.lpvlaw.com/Attorneys.php?Attorney=12%7CCindy%20Veidt">Cynthia W. Veidt,</a></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924384441769517015.post-11436819371344994582012-08-01T18:11:00.000-05:002012-08-01T18:11:21.572-05:00Texas: Does My Will Have To Be Written?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I’m going to have to give y’all the dreaded lawyer answer to
this question: “It depends.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Texas generally requires that every will be in writing –
whether typed or in the Testator’s handwriting, or a mixture of both – in order
to be valid for purposes of probate.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">But Texas used to be a frontier state, where folks may not have
learned to read or write, and not everyone had handy access to paper, pen and
ink. So Texas does recognize an oral will (also called a “nuncupative will”) as
valid and enforceable if, and only if:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">1 - It is spoken “in extremis” – in other words, the person
making the oral will (the “testator”) is on her deathbed during her last
sickness and has no time, ability or opportunity to make a written will; and</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">2 - It is spoken to at least three witnesses who are over the
age of 14 and who are not beneficiaries under the will.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">An oral will can only dispose of the testator’s personal
property – a disposition of the testator’s real estate / real property must always
be in writing.<span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">And proving the terms of an oral will can be very difficult
and very time-consuming (read, expensive) because they are strongly disfavored,
even under Texas law.<span> </span>In other words,
the probate court will not make any presumptions to find the existence of a
valid oral will.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">For these reasons, it is highly recommended that every will
should be written.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">By:
<a href="http://www.lpvlaw.com/Attorneys.php?Attorney=12%7CCindy%20Veidt">Cynthia W. Veidt</a>, Attorney</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924384441769517015.post-79542736811188689082012-07-17T13:13:00.000-05:002012-07-22T23:19:42.979-05:00What is a “Holographic” Will in Texas?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">No,
this blog entry is not about a will written by a hologram. Sorry, Tupac!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A
holographic will is a will that is written <u>entirely</u> in the handwriting
of the person making the will (the “testator”). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">And
“entirely” means exactly that – there can be absolutely nothing printed out
(say, from something you found on the internet or in a form book) where blanks
are filled in by the testator in his handwriting. It cannot be something that another person
prepared for the Testator to sign.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">To
be valid in Texas, a holographic will must still be signed by the Testator (who
must be a legal adult) and executed with “testamentary intent” – in other
words, the document must reflect that the Testator is of sound mind and intends
for that document to create a disposition of his property that will take effect
only after his death. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">However,
unlike a typical written will, you do not need at least two witnesses for the
holographic will to be considered valid and enforceable in Texas.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">By:
<a href="http://www.lpvlaw.com/Attorneys.php?Attorney=12%7CCindy%20Veidt">Cynthia W. Veidt (Austin Attorney)</a></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924384441769517015.post-13355800840968357482012-07-05T12:00:00.000-05:002012-07-18T17:38:05.477-05:00What are the Requirements for a Valid Texas Will?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">In general, to be valid and enforceable in Texas, a will
must be:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">- Written;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">- Signed by the person making it (the “Testator”) who must be
a legal adult;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">- Executed with “testamentary intent” – in other words, the
document must reflect that the Testator is of sound mind and intends for that
document to create a disposition of her property that will take effect only
after her death; </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">- Signed by at least two witnesses who must be over the age of
14 and not beneficiaries in any way under the will; and</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">- Signed by the witnesses in front of the Testator.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The Testator, by the way, does not have to sign the will in
front of the witnesses, and the witnesses do not need to both sign at the same
time. The will does NOT need to be
notarized in order to be valid, although signing it before a notary can make
the will “self-proved” for future purposes and is strongly recommended.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Sometimes, the will can be entirely handwritten by the
Testator and be valid even without any witnesses, although caution should be
made since this exception is very limited.
<a href="http://texprobateblog.blogspot.com/2012/07/what-is-holographic-will.html" target="_blank">See our blog post about a “holographic will.” </a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Texas also recognizes a very, very limited exception for a
valid “oral” (unwritten) will. See our
blog post about an “oral will.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">By:
<a href="http://www.lpvlaw.com/Attorneys.php?Attorney=12%7CCindy%20Veidt">Cynthia W. Veidt</a></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924384441769517015.post-89907053454322247642012-06-27T13:25:00.000-05:002012-07-18T13:51:49.237-05:00Probating an Estate Without Administration in Texas: The Small Estate Affidavit<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">What if your relative died without a will, but her assets
are not very complicated, and you’d rather not spend a lot of money or time
going through probate?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">In Texas, you may be able to use a special form of probate.
In order to qualify, the following must be true:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">- At least 30 days have elapsed since the date of death;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">- The deceased died without a will; </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">- The total gross value of the deceased’s property/assets is
$50,000 or less (not including the deceased’s homestead or certain exempt
property); and</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">- The only real property owned by the deceased was her
homestead.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">In this context, “exempt property” typically means personal
property worth $30,000 or less, so the deceased’s separate property and
one-half share of any community property must not exceed the $50,000 limit.
Several other conditions apply, but if the foregoing is true, you may be able
to avoid formal probate administration through the procedure known as a Small
Estate Affidavit.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The affidavit must comply with Section 137 of the Texas
Probate Code. The probate court will
review the affidavit and, if it is approved, will enter an Order – usually
without a hearing – approving the Small Estate Affidavit, which is then
recorded as an official public record. Once approved and records, the Small
Estate Affidavit serves to transfer ownership of the deceased’s assets to the
persons identified as distributes in the affidavit. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Like the Texas Muniment of Title procedure, the court does
not appoint anyone to act as an executor or other representative of the
deceased’s estate. However, because the
court’s order lists specific distributees who will receive the deceased’s
property, most stock brokerage firms, banks, and similar companies appear to
recognize the validity of this more simplified probate procedure. </span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">By:
<a href="http://www.lpvlaw.com/Attorneys.php?Attorney=12%7CCindy%20Veidt">Cynthia W. Veidt</a></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com