HOME ALONE

By Tim Barkley. January 2020. Estate planning is often discussed in the context of the “typical American family” – Mom, Dad and 1.8 happily adjusted children.  But what if that’s not you? Planning for unmarried, divorced or widowed clients who have no...

FSBO – FOR SALE BY OWNER

By Tim Barkley. September 2019. Ricky and the lawyer sat at the conference table. “I know it’s not the usual thing, to move right after your spouse has died, but I have a chance at a promotion at work if I transfer to the Dallas office. And my neighbor wants to...

GIVE IT AWAY

Give It Away. December 2018. By Timothy S. Barkley, Sr. Mom and Susan flanked the lawyer, who addressed Mom: “If I recall correctly, Susan and I had discussed making sure you qualify for Medicaid by giving some of your investment real estate to the kids. Is that what...

FEEDING YOUR TRUST

By Tim Barkley. March 2013. Now that you’ve set up your living trust, you need to feed it to make it grow. In legal parlance, you need to “fund” your trust. The benefits of a living trust – probate avoidance, privacy, efficiency, estate tax avoidance – may be...