Texas Probate Columns from Premack's San Antonio Express News Column
1) Wills are not “self-enacting”, 2) there is a legal time limit during which you must take legal action
Wills are not Self-Enacting
2020 Texas Medicaid Income Limits & Asset Limits (2018, 2019 and 2020)
2020 Texas Medicaid Income Limits & Asset Limits (2018, 2019, and 2020)
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 Step kids Interfere with Devises to Charities?
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
Can Wife’s Inheritance pass to Husband?
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
Snag in Accessing Decedent’s Safe Deposit Box
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...
Questions about MERP claims
This column first appeared in the San Antonio Express News and other Texas Hearst newspapers on August 10, 2018. Dear Mr. Premack: My boyfriend was married, ...
Can adult children force sale of the homestead?
Medicare does not cover long-term nursing home expenses; you need to look at Medicaid.
How Agent or Executor handles nursing home claim
you can use a document vault website. There are more every year, each with different subscription costs and features. If they simply store y
Safe sharing of Passwords and Legal Documents
Expressing your wishes about your funeral, burial and/or cremation is very important. Your family and those responsible for you should know
What is the best way to give Funeral Instructions?
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
Don’t Emulate Plan-less Celebrities
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, ...
How should Will handle House issue?
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...
Surprise Survivorship Right can be trouble
This column first appeared in the San Antonio Express News and other Texas Hearst newspapers on August 3, 2018. Dear Mr. Premack: Our parents owned several v...
Both parents’ deaths leaves family with legal mess
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
Can Executor do Probate without Lawyer?
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
How Do I Keep Former Will Beneficiary from Cheating?
Pets are a wonderful addition to many Senior lives, providing companionship and contact that enriches the Seniors’ lives. But a pet is also
Paying for Fluffy’s Care after Dad Dies
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 ...
Are Handwritten and Form Wills a good idea?
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...
DIY Will Questions
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 ...