This column first appeared in the San Antonio Express News and its MySA website on January 28, 2015. Dear Mr. Premack: My granddaughter’s grandfather (on the other side of the family) died six years ago. I know he had a Will and I think he left some money in his Will for my granddaughter. However, her parents have never mentioned anything to her. She was his only granddaughter and her father was his only son. Additionally, her father had promised to help her with college tuit

This column first appeared in the SA Express-News and it MySA website on January 20, 2015. Dear Mr. Premack: I am considering taking a home equity loan for extra cash. My wife had a stroke and can no longer understand or participate in our financial issues. I had the foresight to acquire a LegalZoom Durable Power of Attorney two years ago while she was well, so I can sign for her. Now the lender is saying that there may be some legal issue with obtaining the loan. What am I m

This column first appeared in the San Antonio Express-News and the MySA website on January 14, 2015. Dear Mr. Premack: It is a new year. What has the IRS done with the federal estate tax for 2015, and what about the gift tax? – I.R. The federal estate tax is imposed upon an individual’s death when that person’s estate exceeds a certain limit. Under the law which took effect on January 1, 2013 the exemption was set at $5 million per person. The exemption was designed to increa