First National has a $8.2 million claim against the three companies which total value is less than $5.5 million. In addition, there is a residential property in Des Moines which is to be transferred.

For more information regarding probate law, contact the Austin Probate lawyers of Slater & Kennon at 512-472-2431.

The state Supreme Court of New York should decide the fate of 97-year-old Dorothy Livadas sometime this month.  Livadas was taken to the hospital in November suffering from dehydration and urinary tract infection.  However, now that she is on life support with no signs of brain activity, battles rage between the hospital and her daughter, Ianthe, over what is to be done.

Typically, disputes between individuals and hospitals arise when a person has left no instructions detailing what to do in the case of life or death medical emergencies.  However, in the case of Dorothy Livadas, she provided almost too much information—she listed her daughter as her medical proxy, while she also wrote a living will stating that she wanted to be taken off life support in case of an “irreversible mental or physical condition with no reasonable expectation of recovery or of regaining a meaningful quality of life.”  Battles rage as Livadas’ daughter insists that her mother is “not done”.

A judge has ordered the hospital not to take Livadas off life support until at least Friday, but a decision from the state Supreme Court could soon end this nearly 5-month long dispute.

For more information on living wills, contact Austin Probate Lawyers Slater & Kennon, LLP at 512-472-2431 today.

Senator Obama would like a $3.5 million exclusion with 45% being the top tax rate. Senator McCain is advising a $5 million exclusion with 15% being the top tax rate.

If  you have questions regarding estate law, contact the Austin probate lawyers of Slater & Kennon by calling 512-472-2431 today.

Employees of the court say this change will help them to save money, although their salary has not changed.  The idea to change the schedule came up after some of the employees suggested the innovative plan.   Other Tennessee courts have noticed the change and are considering switching their work week schedule based on the results of the Shelby probate court.

For more information on probate issues, contact Austin probate lawyers Slater & Kennon, LLP at 512-472-2431.

While most think of estate planning as writing up a will, there are actually steps you can take before drawing up a formal contract.  You might have already begun the process without realizing it.

When opening a bank account or starting a 401(k) you should be given a form asking to identify a beneficiary for that account.  There is no charge for assigning beneficiaries and the property goes directly to them when you die.  The beneficiaries you assign will not have to pay federal taxes (some states do require a tax). 

Another method of ensuring your property and money end up in the right hands is joint ownership.  Joint ownership, like when two people own a bank account, guarantees that the surviving own gets the property without property should the other die.

Both of these are great steps to get your foot in the estate planning door.  Having a will however, is the most sure proof way of making sure your loved ones are taken care of when you’re gone.

To talk about your estate planning options, call Austin estate planning lawyers Slater & Kennon, LLP at 512-472-2431.

People without a will have little or no control over how their assets would be distributed in the event of their death; most of their property would be distributed in accordance with the applicable intestacy statutes.

Make sure your property is distributed to the people you want after your death. Call Austin estate planning lawyers Slater & Kennon, LLP at 512-472-2431.

Increasing life expectancy and rising healthcare costs are also a significant factor in reducing the size of peoples’ “nest eggs,” which have already been hit by a decline in the number of traditional pension plans.

For more information on inheritance and other probate issues, contact Austin inheritance lawyers Slater & Kennon, LLP at 512-472-2431.

Craig Panzirer and Meegan Panzierer Wesolko argued successfully that their grandmother was not of sound mind when she disinherited them in the last version of her will. In addition to awarding $4 million and $2 million to Panzirer and Wesolko, respectively, the terms of the settlement also strip $10 million from Trouble’s inheritance, to be put into a charitable foundation.

Contesting and defending wills can be a difficult process. Consult Austin probate lawyers Slater & Kennon, LLP for assistance and advice regarding your probate law questions. Call 512-472-2431 today.

Swanston’s son Philip denied the allegations, stating that his father never intended to leave anything to his “girlfriend” in the will.

Making mistakes during probate can cause your loved ones pain for years to come. Don’t let this happen to you - contact an experienced Austin probate lawyer from Slater & Kennon, LLP today at 512-472-2431.

After taking charge of his father’s finances, John Motts slipped into a pattern of lavish spending, emptying Clyde Motts’ bank account and failing to provide even enough money to cover nursing home bills, all the while hiding nearly $900,000 of Clyde’s estate in a mutual fund account.

Clyde Motts died in February. He was 99.

For more information on probate law, contact Austin probate lawyers Slater & Kennon, LLP at 512-472-2431 today.