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RESOURCES
Helpful Resources on Texas Estate Planning and Administration, Family Law and Business Law:
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The links and resources below are provided by C. Bell Law, PLLC for the benefit of people in the greater Houston area who are seeking information regarding Texas estate planning and administration, family law or business law. Our hope is that these resources will guide you toward a better understanding of your legal needs, so that you will be able to make sound legal decisions with the advice and assistance of an attorney practicing in your area of legal need. For help with wills, trusts, probate, elder law and guardianships; divorce and child custody; business entity formation and real estate transactions; and more in the greater Houston area, contact C. Bell Law, PLLC at (832) 418-5530 for a consultation about your legal needs.
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I. Texas Law and Court Resources:
Texas Statutes and Constitution
U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
First Court of Appeals in Houston
Harris County Constitutional Court
Harris County Civil Courts at Law
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II. Estate Planning Resources for Texans:
Texas Estates Code – This 900+ page document includes the Texas Probate Code and all Texas laws related to wills, trusts, guardianships and more.
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State Bar of Texas – The State Bar of Texas provides educational programs for the public, including producing informative pamphlets on different areas of law. Estate Planning pamphlets available include To Will or Not to Will, reviewing Texas law on wills and dying intestate (without a will), and Texas Probate Passport, describing how probate works and what happens to a person’s property when he or she dies with or without a will. There is also a Guardianship Guide to help you understand what it means to serve as a guardian and a guide to the guardianship process called Protecting the Incapacitated. Elder law resources include Seniors and the Law, Dealing with Dementia, Just Hang Up and Loan Modification Scams. As a dedicated and compassionate Houston estate planning and elder law attorney, Carol R. Bell especially recommends Living Trust Scams and the Senior Consumer.
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DNR Orders – An important part of estate planning is deciding whether to include a Do Not Resuscitate order and how to fashion it. This page from Texas Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) can help you understand the ins and outs of the Texas Out-of-Hospital Do-Not-Resuscitate (OOH DNR) program.
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Aging and Disability Resource Center – Learn about long-term care here, whether you are a caregiver or someone in need of services. This section of the HHS website can help answer the financial, health and disability questions of seniors.
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Like Kind Exchanges – As both a CPA and an attorney, Carol Bell can help you understand the tax implications of your estate planning choices. This page from the IRS website helps you understand IRS section 1031 exchanges, which can be important when transferring investment property or business property.
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American Bar Association – Wondering just what estate planning can do for you? Check out this wills and estates article on the ABA website.
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III. Family Law Resources in Texas:
Child Support in Texas – This section of the Texas Attorney General’s website has a wealth of information on families and parenting, military and veteran families, family violence, incarcerated parents, paternity and more. Go here to find out about paying, receiving or modifying child support, wage withholding and enforcement options, calculating child support and more.
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Child Support Division - The child support division is a division of the Office of the Attorney General, the official child support enforcement agency for the state of Texas. Use this website to learn about the child support program, check the status of your case, or make a child support payment.
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State Bar of Texas – Pamphlets for the public on divorce include Kids in the Crossfire, Divorce Guide for Children and Divorce Guide for Teens. You can also access a pamphlet on Name Changes in Texas.
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IV. Texas Business Law Resources:
Texas Secretary of State – This office provides a repository for official business and commercial records required to be filed by Texas law. Visit the Corporations Section for resources on starting a business such as selecting a business structure and checking name availability. Existing business can also find valuable resources here, such as information on trademarks, assumed name certificates and registering a foreign entity to transact business in Texas.
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Texas Commission on Environmental Quality – Businesses may be required to obtain any number of permits regarding air quality, wastewater and other matters. Look up your type of business to see what permits, licenses, registrations or other authorizations you may need from the TCEQ.
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Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts – Visit the Business Center to file and pay taxes, apply for a sales tax permit, request a tax clearance letter and more. Find information here on franchise tax, sales and use tax, property tax and other taxes.
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Texas Real Estate Commission – Buying or selling a home or other real property? Facing an appraisal and valuation of property for tax purposes? TREC can help you look up the license of a real estate agent or broker, inspector or appraiser, easement and right-of-way agent and appraisal management company. You can also search for any history of disciplinary actions.
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Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation – TDLR has been helping small businesses and consumers for over a hundred years. Get help with hurricane recovery or consumer protection. Apply for or renew a professional license, or search licenses by name of license holder or type of license.