During the pandemic period, much of the commercial real estate market dropped through the floor. We’re still seeing the effects, with empty storefronts and disputes over leases. Things are heating up. Supply and demand being what they are, this could be a great time...
What are digital assets? Including them in your estate plan
When we think of estate planning, we most often think of our physical assets – the family home, vacation properties, investment accounts, retirement savings and valuable heirlooms, for example. Increasingly, however, a lot of what we truly value is located online. In...
Could you protect your assets using an IDGT?
With the Biden administration promising to raise taxes on the wealthy, many people of means are concerned that they or their families could end up paying more. Although President Biden refers to the target of his tax hike as “billionaires,” the tax bill could affect...
No, you probably can’t use your Roth IRA as a massive tax shelter
Recently, the nonprofit newsroom ProPublica reported on how billionaire Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal and all-around tech investor, started with a Roth IRA worth $2,000 and built it into a $5 billion tax-free retirement account over the course of 20 years. Other...
Has a dispute arisen due to supply chain problems?
Blame the sudden uptick in consumer demand during the pandemic. Blame “just in time delivery.” Call it the “bullwhip effect” – a small flick of the wrist creates a large amount of movement on the other end. Supply chains are off, and that’s creating havoc throughout...
What do you need for your startup to thrive?
If you’re starting a business these days, you’re going to need a robust website. Due to the pandemic, a great deal of the U.S. economy has gone online, and people may not be willing to work with you if you don’t have a website. What else do you need for a startup to...
Age guidelines for passing inheritance to children
“Love your children equally, but treat them uniquely.” Many Texas parents live by this creed for raising their kids, but it also rings true when creating an estate plan for distributing inheritance. Passing along wealth to children can be a complicated task depending...
What have businesses learned that will survive the pandemic?
“If you make it through this, you ask, you learn, you adapt, and I think it only makes you stronger,” says the head of the National Association for the Self-Employed. A lot of business owners are feeling that way. The pandemic led to a great deal of upheaval, but...
Will HB19 unfairly shield trucking companies from liability?
A Texas bill known as House Bill 19 has passed both the House and Senate and is now entering the reconciliation phase. That means that the House could simply accept a Senate amendment and the bill would go to Governor Abbott for his signature. Or, the House could...
Executing on a judgment targets the debtor’s non-exempt property
If you are involved in a payment dispute with a customer or tenant, or any kind of commercial dispute in Texas, your goal isn’t just to get a judgment against the non-paying party. It’s to obtain payment. You might try an alternative dispute resolution process through...