What are GRATs?
This is another interesting and unusual trust type for you – the GRAT! Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts provide a fantastic example of the flexibility of trusts as estate and legacy planning tools. Although the Revocable Living Trust (RLT) is still the most common trust in the context of estate and legacy planning, GRATs demonstrate […]
Jimmy Carter – What is hospice care? What are its goals?
We here at the Slaton Schauer Law Firm, PLLC were deeply saddened by the news that Jimmy Carter is in poor health. You may have heard that President Carter has gone home to live out his remaining months. For those who are unfamiliar with hospice care, it is a term for healthcare oriented more […]
The History of Christmas
Yuletide greetings to all of you! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Although most of us are at least familiar with Christmas, how much do you really know about it? For example, did you know that some Orthodox churches celebrate Christmas in January? Read on to learn more! According to History.com, midwinter celebrations were common in […]
Scams Against the Elderly – Part II
Introduction Welcome back! This is the second half of our two-part series on common scams which target elderly people. Yesterday we talked about advance fee scams, phishing, and long cons. Today we’ll be discussing tech support scams, bogus debts, and identity theft. Our primary source will, once again, be the Texas Office of the Attorney […]
Scams Against the Elderly – Part I
We all know that there are a number of schemes and scams which target elderly people. How can we protect ourselves or our loved ones from the plans of scumbags and conmen? Awareness can make us less likely to be targets. After all, conmen are generally going after the easiest “marks”– the fruit which hangs […]
Our Gratitude
Running a small business isn’t always easy, is it? As a local business and family operation, the Slaton Schauer Law Firm, PLLC understands the struggles that small businesses face. Unexpected expenses, strategic planning, and succession issues if something should happen to us are issues we have to consider. Even with all these factors in mind, […]
Veterans Day – A History
The history of Veterans Day here in the United States is closely related to our involvement in World War I. Our Armistice with Germany went into effect on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month – “the guns fell silent,” to use the popular quote. The brutal conflict that had raged […]
Election Day!
Although most issues related to elections are tangential to estate planning, it’s worth keeping local elections in mind. Local politicians are the most relevant to our daily lives, and are both the easiest to contact and most motivated to resolve day-to-day issues. They are also significant when it comes to concerns such as property taxes, […]