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Parental Warning: If You Own Your Property This Way, You May Accidentally Disinherit Your Own Children
November 19th, 2025
Do you own your home, other property, or a financial account with someone else, such as a spouse or an adult child? If so, you might be surprised to learn that a common way of owning property could cause problems for your loved ones in the future. Jo…
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Mission Accomplished: Your Guide to Veterans’ Planning Essentials
November 12th, 2025
Joining the military often sets individuals on a path that is distinctly different from pursuing higher education or entering the civilian workforce. Every year around Veterans Day, we honor the sacrifices of those who have served our country. Howeve…
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If I Leave Someone My Home, What Do They Really Get?
November 5th, 2025
Your home is likely one of the most valuable assets you own, if not the most valuable. Calling it an asset can sound cold. A home is far more than an assortment of materials and possessions. It is also a place to live, gather, create life stories, an…
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Twelve Estate Planning Blunders You Cannot Afford to Make
October 29th, 2025
Many people believe that a simple will is all they need to accomplish their goals for the future. However, a flawed estate plan can create just as many headaches, heartaches, and expenses for your loved ones as having no plan. Life changes, laws evol…
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How to Help Your Loved Ones Avoid Probate (Spoiler: Fund Your Trust!)
October 22nd, 2025
Today, many people use a revocable living trust instead of a will, joint ownership, or beneficiary designation as the foundation of their estate plan. When properly prepared, a trust avoids the sometimes costly, always public, and often time-consumin…
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Probate Delays: Five Reasons Your Probate Might Be Taking So Long
October 8th, 2025
After a loved one dies, their money and property that goes through probate must be distributed to the people legally entitled to it, either according to a last will and testament (also called a will) or the state’s default distribution scheme (foun…
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Three Simple Ways to Avoid Probate Costs
October 1st, 2025
The bad news: When a person dies owning property in their sole name without a beneficiary, their loved ones will likely have to go through a court-involved process called probate to transfer the property out of the deceased person’s name and into t…
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Do I Need a Will or a Trust?
September 24th, 2025
Yes: everyone needs a will, a trust, or both. These important tools ensure that your legacy will be carried out according to your wishes and allow you to provide for loved ones after your passing. Having a will or trust in place also saves money and…
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When a Trustee Becomes a Burden: Knowing When to Remove a Trustee
September 17th, 2025
The title of trustee implies that this position should be held by someone you find trustworthy, and for good reason. Serving as a trustee of a trust carries significant responsibility and duty not just to you as the trust’s creator but also to the…
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Four Estate Planning Myths: Debunking Common Misconceptions
September 10th, 2025
Estate planning often feels complex, leading many people to rely on assumptions that can have devastating consequences for their loved ones and their legacy. From who can make decisions for you to whether you need an estate plan, common myths can sta…
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Attorney Jana McCreary
Houston Estate Planning Attorney Jana R. McCreary has been an attorney for over twenty years, a career move she made after working for over a decade with adults and children with intellectual disabilities and mental illness. Graduating summa cum laud… Read More