This column first appeared in the San Antonio Express News and other Hearst Newspapers on July 16, 2018. A Fiduciary must protect the Principal’s interests Dear Mr. Premack: I had power of attorney over a family friend. She died and now the “relatives” have hired a lawyer requesting documents. What am I supposed to do? – J.S. I assume that you are saying you were named as Agent in a Durable Financial Power of Attorney issued by a family friend. By naming you as “Agent”, your

This column first appeared in the San Antonio Express News on March 5, 2018. Texas law recognizes the validity of two kinds of Wills: holographic and formal. A holographic Will must be entirely in the handwriting of the Testator, must be dated, and must be signed by the Testator. A formal Will must be written, dated, signed by the Testator, and signed by two witnesses. Your mother’s Will is in your handwriting, not hers, so it is not a holographic Will. If it was only signed

This column first appeared in the San Antonio Express-News and its MySA.com website on May 29, 2015. Your decision to change the identity of the person you have nominated as your Executor and Agent is sound. The best and highest qualifications for your Executor and Agent are honesty and trustworthiness. Clearly the recent disagreement lowered your opinion of those traits in him. You want your interests and wishes to be honored. Your current legal documents no longer reflect y