Posted on: January 3, 2024
Trust protectors are commonly used in Texas. Essentially, a trust protector is someone who serves as an appointed authority over a trust that will be in effect for an extended period of time. Trust protectors help you ensure that trustees maintain the integrity of the trust, make solid distribution and investment decisions, and adapt the […]
Read More
Posted on: January 2, 2024
As the sun sets over Lady Bird Lake, casting a golden glow on the bustling streets of Austin, parents gather at a local café to enjoy the holiday light show. A common concern emerges amid their conversations about business, family life, and the end of the year: ensuring their aging parents are not missing out […]
Read More
Posted on: January 1, 2024
Did you know that irrevocable trusts can be modified? If you did not, you are not alone. The name lends itself to that very misconception. However, the truth is that changes in laws, family, trustees, and finances can frustrate the trustmaker’s original intent when the trust was created. Or, sometimes, an error in the trust […]
Read More
Posted on: December 31, 2023
While many wines improve with age, the same cannot be said for some irrevocable trusts. Maybe you are the beneficiary of a trust created by your great-grandfather over 70 years ago, and that trust no longer makes sense. Or maybe you created an irrevocable trust over 20 years ago, which no longer makes sense for […]
Read More
Posted on: December 21, 2023
In this imaginative letter, the fictional character Gretl Von Trapp of "The Sound of Music" shares her reflections and estate planning insights with her parents, Captain Georg and Maria Von Trapp. Dear Father and Maria, As I sit on a bench at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, memories of our melodies and adventures in […]
Read More
Posted on: December 20, 2023
During the holiday season, the challenge of caring for aging parents often comes to the forefront. Drawing lessons from Jonathan Franzen's "The Corrections," this post delves into navigating family care dynamics, offering valuable insights for those facing similar family situations. Understanding and Empathy in Aging "The Corrections" paints a vivid picture of Alfred's battle with […]
Read More
Posted on: December 19, 2023
On a Saturday in December, you might do some holiday shopping at the Domain. And perhaps, if you find yourself with a Woodford Reserve Manhattan cocktail at Maggiano's, with Frank Sinatra and Perry Como on the soundtrack, your mind might wander in a slightly transgressive direction. Drawing inspiration from an unlikely source, "The Godfather" movies, […]
Read More
Posted on: December 18, 2023
Amid Austin's vibrant life, parents often juggle professional responsibilities and family time. Perhaps while enjoying a weekend at Lake Austin Spa Resort, legacy planning becomes increasingly relevant when one gets a chance to remove oneself from the daily hustle and find time to reflect on the longer term. Effective legacy planning strategies for professionals balancing […]
Read More
Posted on: December 17, 2023
As families in Austin enjoy the vibrant holiday lights at the JW downtown, their conversations often turn toward a less festive but critically important topic: the impending changes in estate tax exemptions set for 2026. For high-income parents with minor children, understanding and preparing for these changes is essential in navigating the 2026 estate tax […]
Read More
