Dallas Elder Law Attorney

Five categories of ways to avoid the process of court approval for assets to be collected, evaluated, and distributed are explored.

Some residential homes purchased by an entity (including trusts) may be required to report to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) as of March 1st

It is better to have a trust as a beneficiary rather than an individual since you can have protection on how your property passes in contrast to the grantee/beneficiary's heirs or estate of if the grantee/beneficiary predeceases you.

Ten negative consequences for superseding the powers granted in a power of attorney of elderly mom are described.

Diane Keaton reportedly established a pet trust for the benefit of her golden retriever. Different ways to take care of your pet are explored.

Proper language is required in a trust for the homestead and other exemptions to be retained if your home is deeded into a trust. This article described the proper language for exemptions and creditor protection.

Long-term care Medicaid, which helps pay for care in a nursing home or at home, is "means-tested". However, certain resources, such as the applicant's homestead, do not count. This article not only mentions the amount of the equity limit for the homestead to not count as a resource, but it also discusses how to avoid the claim for reimbursement by the state for benefits advanced after the death of the Medicaid recipient.

Many states have a "slayer statute" whereby a convicted murderer cannot inherit from the deceased victim. This article compares California and Texas slayer statutes.

This article discusses ten of the most frequently asked questions about powers of attorney, ranging from the different types to when the power is effective and terminates.

There are no inheritance laws on the rights of a human clone at the present time, but this may need to be addressed due to scientific advancements.

The 2026 figures for the value of resources that can be kept by a spouse if one spouse needs long-term care and applies for Medicaid to help pay for care costs are projected to increase. The value of resources can often be increased as discussed in this article.

The 2026 income cap for long-term care Medicaid is projected to increase. This article discusses how one can plan if their income exceeds the limit.

With pressure to release the Epstein files and the investigation of the Senate Committee on Finance as to how he was paid for planning services, Epstein's estate could be subject to more scrutiny.

Possession isn't always nine-tenths of the law. A beneficiary or an heir has a responsibility to report to law enforcement if there is suspicion an asset inherited was stolen.

Pete Rose died without a will. As a result, his children are at odds on who should be in charge of the 1 estate and whether a licensing agreement should be part of his estate, which would subsequently omit three of his five children as a beneficiary.

John Amos' daughter has sued her brother stating that their dad lacked mental capacity and was unduly influenced when he signed his will. She also sued for elder abuse and the acceleration of Amos' death for the healthcare given by her brother and Amos' caregiver.

Rupert Murdoch paid billions of dollars to three of his children to settle a lawsuit whereby he tried to change the terms of his irrevocable trust so that only one son would be in charge instead of four owning and controlling an equal share.

Texas has raised the penalty divisor for uncompensated transfers starting September 1, 2025, meaning gift-making strategies can now result in longer private-pay periods. Learn how this update could affect your long-term care eligibility and smart planning options.

Although beneficiary designations avoid probate, it is often best to have your assets pass by will or trust since protection is often needed for your beneficiaries ranging from disability to tax planning.

Disinherited Barney's New York heir seeks vengeance against his siblings by using New York's whistleblower law claiming that they moved his mother to Florida to evade payment of New York income and estate taxes.

One of the allegations in a $50 million lawsuit by former business partners of Priscilla Presley is that she withheld life support on her daughter, Lisa Marie, so that Lisa Marie could not remove Priscilla as trustee over a Trust that owns Graceland.

There could be a legal battle between Hulk Hogan's surviving wife and heirs due to Florida's spousal elective share rules. His dysfunctional family may just increase the chance of litigation.

If you die without a will in Texas, the state decides who inherits your property and it might not be who you think. In this episode, Michael Cohen explains how Texas law handles separate and community property, and why those assumptions can create costly legal issues. Learn how proper planning can help you avoid probate nightmares and protect your loved ones.

In Texas, there will be less covered by traditional Medicare starting on January 1st, 2026 as the government has announced 17 categories of care that will now require prior authorization due to the government concern of fraud by healthcare providers. The government will pay companies on how much they save resulting in more coverage rejection.

The FDA approved a blood test for early detection of Alzheimer's disease that should, for the first time, open the door to testing accessibility for more of those at risk.

Michael discusses how estate planning for copyrights, trademarks, licenses, name, image, and likeness can differ depending on the goals of the client and where they reside.

O.J. Simpson and his son purchased a Las Vegas home where O.J. lived and made payments, but the home was actually owned by a corporation controlled by his son, meaning O.J.'s creditors could not collect against the home after his death.

Everyone is looking for Jimmy Buffett's lost shaker of salt! Michael B. Cohen goes over the ongoing dispute for his assets as Buffett's co-trustees sue each other over his $275 million estate. Life isn't just a beach for these Parrot Heads!

What happens to your frequent flyer miles or points after you've passed? Let's discuss the policies of four major airlines.

"Wouldn't it be nice" if you knew how to protect yourself and your family in the event of disability? Michael B. Cohen goes over how Brian Wilson's estate planning was a mixed bag.

What happens to our digital footprint when we pass? What options do you have to protect your loved one's online legacy? Or would you prefer to delete the Facebook account of the deceased? Maybe do nothing with it all?

The father of the late "American Pickers" star, Frank Fritz, has challenged his son's will due to lack of capacity. Frank Fritz was under guardianship at the time he signed the will.

A California Appeals Court has ruled that the illegitimate grandchildren (including Elizabeth Hurley's son) of late billionaire, Dr. Peter Bing, could not inherit from the grandchildren's trusts established by Bing since they were illegitimate and did not live as a minor with their father, (Stephen), as a regular member of Stephen's household.

The homestead is usually the most valuable non-countable resource when applying for long-term care Medicaid eligibility. However, sometimes the equity value exceeds Medicaid's limit or the property must be sold. Options for protection are discussed.

As a result of the spencer family's tradition of following male primogeniture, it is likely that Princess Diana's childhood home will be inherited by her nephew (the son of her brother, Charles) instead of her sons.

Discussion of how each American baby born in a certain time frame will be given $1,000 by the government that can grow with tax deferral

The difference in the last wills and testament of the last 4 popes are discussed.

If an asset of a long-term care Medicaid recipient passes by his or her will or by intestacy, the government has a right to be reimbursed to the extent Medicaid benefits have been advanced. Additionally, there are situations where there is a reimbursement request for government benefits advanced outside of probate. This discussed 5 of those situations.

If you can't split the baby, why should you be able to partition frozen human embryos? A Virginia court rules that human embryos are a special type of property that cannot be partitioned since each embryo is graded differently.

Over 3 million Americans who received a lesser amount or no Social Security due to work not covered by Social Security are now or will soon be receiving an increase in Social Security due to the Social Security Fairness Act passed earlier this year. However, is it fair to all?

We explore how the classification of property (community vs. separate) could determine whether Hackman's children or a charity walks away with the fortune. Estate drama and legal nuance collide—listen now to hear how this one might unfold.

This podcast updates celebrity estate planning or court cases contesting planning previously discussed regarding Rupert Murdoch, Charley Pride, Richard Simmons and others.

Six options are discussed when a senior refuses to stop driving even though safety may be an issue.

A houseboat can be a home under the Internal Revenue Code and under Medicaid eligibility rules, but it has no protection under bankruptcy or Texas Medicaid Estate Recovery rules. The various treatment of houseboats under different laws are discussed.

8 different property tax exemptions are discussed for those to qualify for less or no property taxes.

Texas is a strong homestead state. Protection from seizure by creditors is greater under Texas law than under the federal bankruptcy plan. Differences are discussed in addition homestead protection under public benefits laws.

When one lives in another state at the time of death but owns assets in Texas such as real estate, there are several ways to probate a will in Texas so the property passes under the terms of the will.

The 7-year estate battle over Charles Manson's estate continues as the court had a hearing rescheduled to determine if one of the contestants is an heir.

Proof of common law marriage is often required to be entitled to marital benefits. This article/podcast describes evidence needed.

There are beneficiary designations for vehicles, real estate, bank accounts, life insurance policies, but mobile homes are often only created as personal property and there is no present law permitting beneficiary designations in such event.

The will of Little Richard gave specific instructions of how to handle the publicity rights of his estate. His brother, who was also named as an executor in addition to being a beneficiary, failed to follow the terms of the will resulting in his removal as an executor and losing a share of the publicity rights.