Getting into a committed relationship with someone who has a child can inspire a mixture of different emotions. You never know what you are getting into or what you will get. Indeed, it takes a lot of heart to love a child who is not biologically yours like your own offspring, and vice versa. If everything goes well, however, the experience can be beautiful and you may want to officially adopt your stepchild and Read More
What Is an “Advanced Directive” and When Do You Need One?
Also known as a health care directive or living Will, an advanced directive is a document specifying your wishes regarding advanced medical treatment. For example, do you want to be fed and hydrated when in a coma or are terminally ill? Do you want to receive defibrillation or CPR after a heart attack? Do you want to be put on a ventilator at any point? An advanced directive spells all of this out on standardized Read More
Why You Need a Will – Even if You Don’t Have Many Assets
The thought that we will not be here forever is chilling and hard to fathom. But it is important to accept that death is a part of life, and that it is in your best interest to secure the future of your legacy as soon as possible. If you are reading this, chances are you’re in the balance about writing a Will because you don’t think you have enough assets for estate planning. Contrary to popular belief, however, Read More
Sexual Harassment at Work is All Too Common. If You’re Victimized, Know Your Rights!
Sexual harassment in the workplace finally received the international attention it deserves when the infamous Harvey Weinstein allegations went viral, becoming one of the most hotly-debated topics in the country and the world at large. The events were a shot in the arm for workers' rights activists. It can happen to anyone, whether male or female, and sometimes in the form of a seemingly harmless act such as Read More
A Brief Overview of the Options Available to Same-Sex Couples in Texas
Until June 26th, 2015, same-sex marriage was not legally recognized in the United States. This meant that the LGBT community could not freely enjoy certain legal rights that were so readily available to their straight counterparts. This included, among others, access to vital estate planning tools for married couples. Things have changed since then, thanks to a historical decision by the Supreme Court to lift all Read More
3 Things Your Will Does NOT Accomplish
A Last Will and Testament are one of the most critical documents you will ever have to draft. So critical, in fact, that it has been the subject of many nasty legal battles since the establishment of the judicial system. Among other things, a Will dictates the final wishes of the deceased regarding the property he/she leaves behind upon death. Unfortunately, there are certain expectations about the Last Will and Read More
Facing Age Discrimination in the Workplace? Here’s What to Do
Being passed over for a promotion can sting like a bee, but what if the only reason you missed out on that major opportunity was because of your age? For about 70% of workers between 45 and 74 years old who have experienced the reality of age discrimination, the feeling is excruciating. What most people don’t realize, however, is that it is actually illegal to discriminate against workers because of their age. In Read More
Nursing Home Abuse: What to Watch For
The need for home care in the United States is expected to skyrocket soon. A Census report published in 2017 puts the national population of boomers over 60 years at 15.2% of the total population - roughly 49.2 million. Even more, 3.2 million of them are currently residing in senior homes. This means that the number of people who need home and personal care is rising and with it, the concern for best hospice Read More
Elder Law: How to Keep Long-Term Care Costs From Draining Your Finances
When retirement comes, you want to enjoy every moment of your golden years. You have probably thought about these years throughout your life: the endless vacations, the freedom from working, the time to finally work on your book, go golfing, and more. This is all possible IF you do not end up requiring long-term care, which can significantly drain your finances and ultimately ruin your retirement goals. Here is how Read More
Workplace Retaliation and Your Rights as an Employee in Texas
If you have seen that your employer is acting unethically, or illegally, it is your obligation to report them to the proper authorities. This can be a difficult thing to do, however, because most people aren’t in a position where they can easily afford to lose their job, and reporting an employer seems like a dangerous thing to do. The fact is, however, that in Texas, workplace retaliation is illegal and you will be Read More