This column first appeared in the San Antonio Express News on January 29, 2018. Dear Mr. Premack: My 95-year-old mother owns a large piece of ranch land. The value per acre is fairly high, and her tax adviser years ago told her to start gifting “undivided interests” each year worth $14,000 to each of the children. They said that this would reduce the value in her estate, and when she dies there would be less estate tax due. I was wondering, now that the estate tax is due only

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

Dear Mr. Premack: My husband passed away in late 2008. The deed of the house only has his name on it. He had no Will and nothing went thru probate. How do I change the deed into my name? – PM He died intestate, so Texas law determines the identity of his heirs. If he dies without a Will, then under Texas law as his widow you only get the house if he had no children or if all his children are also your children. If he has any children from a prior marriage, then they (not you)