Texas Probate Columns from Premack's San Antonio Express News Column
The estate tax still exists, Mr. President
Congress recognized the President’s 2017 proposal as a tax cut for the very wealthy but a tax increase for heirs of estates under $11M.
How Agent or Executor handles nursing home claim
Medicare does not cover long-term nursing home expenses; you need to look at Medicaid.
Safe sharing of Passwords and Legal Documents
you can use a document vault website. There are more every year, each with different subscription costs and features. If they simply store y
What is the best way to give Funeral Instructions?
Expressing your wishes about your funeral, burial and/or cremation is very important. Your family and those responsible for you should know
Don’t Emulate Plan-less Celebrities
Aretha Franklin died in 2018 in Michigan, with an estate that Forbes reports as about $80 million. Three papers have been filed in court. Tw
How should Will handle House issue?
This column first appeared in the San Antonio Express News and other Hearst Newspapers on November 19, 2018. Making a Will allows you, as owner of the home, ...
Surprise Survivorship Right can be trouble
This column first appeared in the San Antonio Express News and other Texas Hearst Newspapers on September 7, 2018. When a person dies, there are four ways th...
What happens when a non-Texas resident dies with property in Texas?
Probate of a Foreign Will involves Texas probate of a Will from another nation or another US state when the decedent had property in Texas.
Can Executor do Probate without Lawyer?
When it comes to going to probate court to become Executor, it may feel like you would be representing yourself and that you should be able
How Do I Keep Former Will Beneficiary from Cheating?
The court-based probate process is designed to avoid deceit and fraud, but as with any human endeavor it is not perfect. Texas law is clear
Paying for Fluffy’s Care after Dad Dies
Pets are a wonderful addition to many Senior lives, providing companionship and contact that enriches the Seniors’ lives. But a pet is also
Are Handwritten and Form Wills a good idea?
This column first appeared in the San Antonio Express News and other Hearst Newspapers on April 1, 2019. Dear Mr. Premack: My friend was very ill and had no ...
DIY Will Questions
This column first appeared in the San Antonio Express News and other Hearst Newspapers on December 3, 2018. Dear Mr. Premack: I am drafting a will and testam...
IRA should have designated beneficiary for best tax result
This column first appeared in the San Antonio Express News and other Texas Hearst Newspapers on August 17, 2018. An IRA (individual retirement account) is a ...
Wills are not Self-Enacting
1) Wills are not “self-enacting”, 2) there is a legal time limit during which you must take legal action
2020 Texas Medicaid Income Limits & Asset Limits (2018, 2019, and 2020)
2020 Texas Medicaid Income Limits & Asset Limits (2018, 2019 and 2020)
Can Step kids Interfere with Devises to Charities?
I don’t have any children of my own, and for many years my Will has directed that when I die my holdings go to his children. Now I’m thinkin
Can Wife’s Inheritance pass to Husband?
When a Will is probated, the Executor takes an oath to fulfill its terms. However, Texas law does not put the Executor on a specified timeli
Snag in Accessing Decedent’s Safe Deposit Box
Safe deposit boxes are intended to be secure. Granting access has been quite strict in the past, but over the years the Texas Legislature ha
Questions about MERP claims
This column first appeared in the San Antonio Express News and other Hearst Newspapers on October 12, 2018. MERP is the Medicaid Estate Recovery Program, a f...