Many of our Houston readers probably think of student loans as something that affects only college- and middle-aged Texans. Unfortunately, as the national student debt load continues to grow, the number of people who are not affected by student loans in some way is...
Elder Law Attorneys Helping You Plan For The Future
Year: 2012
Texas lawmakers consider alternatives, compromise, on Medicaid
Texas lawmakers are still debating the issue of whether or not to expand the state's Medicaid coverage as a part of the larger federal healthcare reform. Governor Perry has been among several governors to oppose the optional expansion, which would be funded fully by...
VA backlog creates long waits for disability benefits
For Texas veterans, there is all the more reason to file for disability benefits as soon as possible. Qualifying applicants are waiting nearly nine months for their claims to be completes, according to watchdog groups. Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of...
Veteran’s advocates seek easier access to education benefits
Advocates for veterans have put forth two new pieces of legislation that would make it easier for veterans in Texas and their families to take advantage of educational benefits. These education benefits are an essential part of the larger benefits package offered to...
Farrah Fawcett’s bequest of art collection spurs probate dispute
Farrah Fawcett passed away at the age of 62 after a fight with cancer. Though the specifics of her estate plan are not public, one part of her wishes that have come to light involve the bequeath or her art collection to the University of Texas at Austin, her alma...
Survey finds gap in financial perceptions between parents, adult children
Do your adult children have an accurate picture of your financial future? Apparently, most people here in Bellaire would answer: "No." Fidelity Investments recently conducted a survey in which it asked parents and their grown children the same questions about things...
Senate passes bill to increase veterans’ benefits
The United States Senate finally passed a bill this week that has been stalled since September, which provides an increase in veterans benefits to compensate for a cost-of-living adjustment. The increase will take affect for January benefits payments and is likely to...
Settlement helps to keep Medicare coverage for chronically ill
A recent settlement in a major case challenging Medicare policies means that now the government run insurance program will cover a variety of treatments for chronic conditions such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. The covered treatments will include...
Pending estate tax changes leads many to gift early
Anticipated changes to the federal tax code that will affect estates and gifts have many Texas residents hurrying to make an end of the year deadline. Without any further action, tax rates for inheritances and for gifts will go up. The current law allows for no taxes...
Digital estate planning: don’t forget to leave your passwords
Good estate planning often comes down to the details and the backup plan. If things don't go exactly the way they were supposed to, what should the next step be? And what about that small antique coin collection or those government savings bonds that you forgot to...