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1 week ago | 
houstonchronicle.com | Ronald Lipman
Q: Last September, I sold a car to a New York resident. I did not remove the Texas plates. A few days later, he drove the car through the Lincoln Tunnel in New York City two times, incurring two $17.63 tolls. I received bills from New York which I protested. One of the bills was transferred to the new owner after I spoke to a representative at the New York State Thruway Authority.
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2 weeks ago | 
houstonchronicle.com | Ronald Lipman
Q: I've been thinking about asking my girlfriend to sign a prenuptial agreement ahead of our marriage. We're both 69, have adult children, and I also have grandchildren. We rent a home, but looking ahead, I may purchase a home for the two of us. I can make the down payment and pay the principal and interest on the loan plus the property taxes and insurance. I understand that as my spouse, she will have the right to live in the home after my death.
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3 weeks ago | 
houstonchronicle.com | Ronald Lipman
Q: Can a non-resident, non-citizen who owns property in Texas execute a will in Texas? Would it be valid? A: Yes, but the person needs to be careful to coordinate the Texas will with his or her estate planning documents which are signed in the person’s country of residence. For instance, if the person wants the Texas will to apply only to Texas property, then that should be stated right at the beginning of the will.
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1 month ago | 
houstonchronicle.com | Ronald Lipman
Q: I own a home that my sister and her husband live in, and I claim the homestead exemption on my primary residence. I was told by a real estate title expert that if I sign a revocable life estate deed as grantor, giving my sister and her husband a life estate in the property as grantees, they would then be listed as the owners on the appraisal district’s website and would be able to claim the homestead exemption. I would retain the right to cancel the life estate.
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1 month ago | 
houstonchronicle.com | Ronald Lipman
Q: If I cause an automobile accident and the victim is awarded a judgment against me that insurance doesn’t cover, are my retirement accounts and my homestead property exempt from the award? A: Yes. The homestead exemption is limited to 10 acres if you live in a city, or if you live outside a city, then the limit is 100 acres for an unmarried person and 200 acres for a married couple. Article continues below this adThere are generally no limits on the size of your retirement accounts.
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1 month ago | 
houstonchronicle.com | Ronald Lipman
Q: When a minor turns 18, what estate documents should be drafted, and how soon? What if trust funds will begin being disbursed to that person at that age? A: Once a person reaches age 18 (the age of majority in Texas), it is a good idea for that person to sign a Durable Power of Attorney, Medical Power of Attorney, Directive to Physicians and HIPAA release.
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1 month ago | 
houstonchronicle.com | Ronald Lipman
Q: My husband and I are over 65, and we looked at purchasing a condo in a high-rise the other day. The homeowners' association fees and the property taxes on the condo would be astronomical if we were to make the purchase. Is there any way to obtain the over age 65 exemption on either the HOA fees or the property taxes? A: You can claim the homestead exemption and the over-age-65 exemption on the condo, just like you can with any other free-standing home you might purchase.
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1 month ago | 
houstonchronicle.com | Ronald Lipman
Q: In what circumstances should people revise their estate documents, in total or in part? When are codicils sufficient, and what's the protocol for drafting and including them? A: People revise their durable power of attorney, medical power of attorney, HIPAA releases and similar forms for a few reasons. Sometimes, they need to change the people they have named in those forms because the person has died, is too old or incapacitated, or is otherwise no longer someone they want to name.
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2 months ago | 
houstonchronicle.com | Ronald Lipman
Q: My wife turns 65 this year, but she is not listed on the deed to our house. I will not turn 65 for a few more years. How do we apply for over age 65 homestead exemption? Do we even qualify? I know we have to fill out a form for that. Is there anything else that needs to be done? A: In Texas, even though you own the home and are under 65, the fact that your wife will turn 65 this year means that you can qualify for the over-65 exemption for the full year.
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2 months ago | 
houstonchronicle.com | Ronald Lipman
Q: We live in a townhome community in Texas. There is a large tree in the city-owned alley adjacent to our homes. If a storm causes the tree to fall over and damage a townhome, who would be responsible for the damage? Who should we call to get it removed before the next storm season? A: You didn't mention whether the tree is diseased or otherwise a danger to the townhomes. If the tree is healthy, then you can't cut it down, especially because it is on city-owned property.
