We are pleased to announce that on July 1, 2023, Jahnz & Associates welcomed back attorney Amy Adkins as a pivotal asset to its generational law practice. Amy has over 17 years of experience as an attorney and is excited to be part of a firm dedicated to helping families plan for their futures and counsel families through unexpected life events.

We at Jahnz & Associates believe that it takes more than just “book smarts” to be a successful attorney and counselor. Amy stands above the rest as a guardianship attorney, as she has significant personal and educational experiences with medical issues often encountered during guardianships and special needs planning. As an undergraduate, Amy completed a concentration in genetics. As a mother and daughter, Amy has navigated issues relating to autism, mental illness, and special education. Amy’s experience provides a level of understanding that allows her to counsel and advocate for her clients during various life stages and tough situations. As a court-appointed guardian, Amy will be the person holding her client’s hand through medical procedures and other difficulties with patience and grace.

Some fun facts about Amy:

• Favorite Book: Is To Kill a Mockingbird

• Favorite TV Show: This is Us

• Life Motto: “For of those to whom much is given, much is required” - JFK

Outside of counseling her clients, Amy enjoys reading and spending time with her two children and two very spoiled cats.

Amy believes that her personal background gives her a “deep understanding and empathy for persons who find themselves facing a loved one’s mental illness or debilitating disability, caring for a child or adult with special needs, or facing the death of a loved one.”

Please drop a comment and help us welcome Amy to the firm! If you are interested in setting up a consultation, please contact our office at (832) 702-9669 or admin@jglawtx.com.

Most of us have smart phones and I would guess that most of us also have someone labeled as “ICE” in our contacts to alert first responders (or others) as to who to call in an emergency. This is a great way to ensure that someone we trust will be alerted to emergency situations.

But, your ICE contact label does not give your emergency contact any authority to act on your behalf or speak with the medical providers or financial institutions, in the event of an actual emergency.

Some documents you should consider, in addition to a will, are:

• Durable (Financial) Power of Attorney

• Medical Power of Attorney

• HIPAA Release

• Declaration of Guardian in Case of Later Need

Be prepared ICE.

Contact our office at 832-702-9669 or admin@jglawtx.com to discuss what estate planning documents are right for your and your family.

“Planning the future your family deserves”® involves a client-centered estate plan, including planning for your future care.

A last will and testament or trust are only two documents in a comprehensive estate plan. Other documents that should be discussed are medical and financial powers of attorneys, advanced directives/living will, and a declaration of guardian in case of later need. By having a comprehensive plan, you help your family to prepare for your future needs and to minimize any future unmet needs.

Having a plan in place can also help to minimize the burden on your family. “The cost of caregiving: When financial and emotional stress compound” discusses a recent study from Fidelity Investments that showed:

• 62% of caregivers report being occasionally overwhelmed with financial stress.

• Of those who stepped back from their careers to focus on caregiving - whether for one’s kids, or for one’s elderly parents - the average time out of the workforce was 20 months, and 53% said the period turned out to be longer than expected.

• Meanwhile, 37% said they earned less when they returned to work, taking a median 40% pay cut.

Thinking about what you (or your parents) will need after you can make those decisions is difficult for many people. But, if you do not have a plan in place, the alternative often means court intervention to appoint someone to manage the medical and financial needs of the incapacitated person. This can be a long and expensive process that might have been avoided with proper planning.

At J|G Law we encourage our clients to work with other professionals, such as a financial advisor or CPA, to adopt a comprehensive plan that will assist in the event of incapacity. A team based approach allows our clients to better prepare for the unknown, from planning for long term care or assisted living to ensuring that their family is able to best care for them.

As always, if you have questions, please contact our office at 832-702-9669 or admin@jglawtx.com.

Estate planning for blended families requires special considerations.

We represent many blended families. A question that often arises is whether a parent can declare a step-parent or other non-parent as the guardian of a child over the child’s living biological parent.

We have always cautioned clients that this declaration likely would not stand in the face of a challenge by an otherwise fit surviving parent.

In June 2020, the Texas Supreme Court provided guidance on this issue in In re C.J.C. The decision makes it clear that a parent will have limited options to designate a guardian other than a child’s surviving parent, absent a showing that the surviving parent is unfit. And, to the extent that anyone other than the surviving biological parent seeks to obtain guardianship over the child, that person will face an uphill battle.

It is important that when you craft your estate plan you consult with an attorney who is versed in planning to meet the needs of your family.

For more information on In re C.J.C., please visit:

In re C.J.C. - Opinion and Pleadings

Supreme Court of Texas Protects the Constitutional Rights of Parents in Landmark Child Custody Case