Ashley Flotte’s Legal Blog

As the year draws to a close, most of us start thinking about our ‘New Year’s Resolutions.’ Year after year, it seems the most popular choices include resolving to lose weight, get organized, spend more time with family, quit smoking/drinking, or donate time to charity. At Smith & Garg, we wish you and your families [...]

[Read more →]

                 Advance directives (such as a Statutory Durable Power of Attorney, Medical Power of Attorney, Living Will, or HIPAA Release) are an important component of any well-prepared estate plan. They are legal documents that direct how your affairs are to be handled or how decisions are to be made in the event you are incapacitated [...]

[Read more →]

                As we approach the close of 2008, it’s important to recall the wealth transfer tax changes that are heading our way in the new year. Changes in the amounts that may be transferred free of tax in 2009 are being increased on both the federal estate tax and gift tax fronts.
                The Economic [...]

[Read more →]

Around the holidays a couple of years ago, I remember reading an article showing a very creative take on the term “Santa Suit.” Some witty fellow had come up with a fake lawsuit, drafting a “Complaint” said to be submitted by the Children of the World, Plaintiffs, versus Santa, Defendant. After tireless searching (read: a [...]

[Read more →]

                Texas probate law provides that, when a decedent passes away, a certain amount of personal property (such as furniture, clothing, jewelry, vehicles, and so on) should be set aside for the benefit of the decedent’s surviving spouse. This “set-aside” (along with our homestead law) is a very beneficial aspect of Texas probate, in that this [...]

[Read more →]