Virginia Hammerle

Virginia Hammerle is a contributing columnist to The Dallas Morning News and writes weekly articles and blogs on legal issues confronting seniors and their families.
242 articles

The Hotchpot Clause: Truing Up an Inheritance

For well over a thousand years, families have incorporated the hotchpot clause into their estate planning.  It may be time for you to consider doing...

Love and Affection: As Seen Through the Eyes of Justice

As we prepare to celebrate Valentine’s Day, let’s take a moment to ruminate on how judges through the ages have addressed love and affection. We’ll...

Community Property Survivorship Agreements: This Tool Deserves Another Look

Texas has a little-known estate planning technique available to spouses – the Community Property Survivorship Agreement.  Here is how it works: both spouses sign a...

Contracts Between Family Members: Avoiding Common Problems

A One- Act Play.  Characters: Ailing elderly mom, not-so-wealthy adult son, and son’s wife. Opening scene: Living room in a nice house located in an unidentified...

Homestead Property Tax Exemptions

Don't Pay More Than Your Fair Share You may have noticed that your home value has sky-rocketed in the last two years. Know who else...
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