Dallas Elder Law Attorney

Trump Accounts are a new savings vehicle designed to help children build wealth, but they also introduce important estate planning, gift tax, and public benefits considerations. This article explains how the new rules work, when gift tax reporting may be required, and what families should know before contributing.

Can a court determine whether a multi-million-dollar will is genuine simply by analyzing the ink? The ongoing legal battle over Zappos founder Tony Hsieh's alleged will highlights the complexities of will contests, forgery claims, and the critical importance of creating a properly executed estate plan to avoid costly disputes.

Applying for nursing home Medicaid can be far more complicated than many families realize, and even a small mistake can lead to costly delays or a denial of benefits. In this article, we highlight 30 of the most common Medicaid application and planning errors, along with practical insights to help families avoid unnecessary financial hardship. Whether you're planning ahead or facing an immediate need for long-term care, understanding these pitfalls can make all the difference.

When life changes, your estate plan should too. The lawsuit involving Malcolm-Jamal Warner's decades-old trust highlights how failing to update estate planning documents after marriage and children can lead to costly litigation and uncertainty for loved ones.

This article describes how you can plan if your beneficiary has a gambling addiction.

Even though you generally cannot benefit from slaying someone, Reiner's son could prevail to get some funds from a trust in which he was to be already be receiving benefits before their death. Language of the trust will dictate whether he succeeds or not.

Is a human embryo considered personal property or a human being? The laws (which are evolving) differ by state. What happens to an embryo if there is a divorce or death? Jelly Roll and Bunnie XO plan on IVF even though they are getting divorced, but what happens if they disagree before the divorce is final as to what happens with any embryos?

A signature controls how assets of an account will be distributed. A joint account may pass by the will of the deceased whereas a joint account with right of survivorship account passes to the survivor. This article describes an probate battle over whether the account was a joint account with right of survivorship was established if the signature card was not initialed and there was no definition of the type of joint account on the same card where it was initialed.

Anna Nicole Smith died without a proper estate plan. Years later, her daughter is still living with the consequences. This episode breaks down how one of the most publicized estate disasters in celebrity history continues to play out, what poor planning actually costs a family, and why the people left behind are the ones who pay the price. If Anna Nicole Smith's estate can fall apart, yours can too. Don't leave your family with the same mess.

He was dying. He tried to change his life insurance beneficiary. He signed it in front of two witnesses. But a few unchecked boxes meant the form was rejected. He died before it could be fixed. His ex-wife finished the form the day after he passed. Six years of legal battles later, a court still had to decide who gets the money. The answer will surprise you. This episode breaks down exactly what went wrong and why one incomplete form can unravel everything you intended to leave behind.

She murdered her husband, then wrote a children's book about grief using his likeness. The Kouri Richins case is more than a true crime story. It's a warning. Forged powers of attorney, drained accounts, a secretly changed life insurance policy, and an estate still tangled in court after a murder conviction. This episode breaks down every legal angle and what it means for your own family's plan.

Most people don't realize their brain health and their estate plan are connected. Until it's too late. Once cognitive decline sets in, you can no longer legally sign a will, trust, or power of attorney. The window to protect your family closes faster than anyone expects and most people miss it entirely. This episode breaks down the POINTER study, the research that actually identified what keeps your brain sharper longer, and what it means for your family's future.

A $275 million estate. Co trustees at war. And legal fees that could quietly drain the entire trust. Even well structured estate plans can fall apart when control and communication break down.

A Lady Bird Deed can be a powerful tool in Texas estate planning, but what happens if creditors come into play? This article breaks down how disclaiming a Lady Bird Deed may impact creditor protection and what you need to know to protect your assets and your family's future.

For years, they defended Michael Jackson. Now they are suing his estate with serious new allegations. This legal battle raises major questions about credibility, prior settlements, and whether claims can resurface after millions have already been paid.

When someone uses a power of attorney to make gifts to themselves, is it allowed or a serious legal problem? This blog explains how Texas law treats self-dealing, what “good faith” really means, and when those actions can be challenged or upheld.

What happens to a $50 billion empire built on crime when its kingpin is gone? This gripping article unpacks the complex battle over the alleged fortune of Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera, revealing how U.S. and Mexican authorities pursue illicit assets tied to drug cartels. From bitcoin trails to evolving anti-terror laws, discover why seizing these hidden fortunes is far more difficult than it seems.

What happens if a loved one passes away and the only will you can find is a copy? This must-watch podcast breaks down the surprising legal hurdles of probating a copy of a will in Texas—from tracking down heirs to proving why the original is missing. Discover why one small oversight can create major complications, and how to protect your family from the stress and uncertainty.

A shocking dispute is unfolding over the private archives of Hugh Hefner, as Crystal Hefner raises urgent concerns about thousands of undisclosed, explicit images that may have been taken without consent. This eye-opening podcast dives into the legal and ethical battle surrounding privacy rights, potential AI misuse, and whether these materials should ever be digitized or shared. As investigations loom, it reveals why this case could reshape how estates and even foundations handle sensitive personal content.

What happens legally when someone disappears and may never be found? This compelling article explores the complex process of declaring a missing person dead, from seven-year presumptions to the role of circumstantial evidence in high-profile cases like Nancy Guthrie. Learn how courts handle estates, notify the missing, and what happens if they unexpectedly return, revealing a legal process as unsettling as it is essential.

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?