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Legal BriefsYour House Will Not AutomaticallyTransfer on Your Death to YourSpouse or FamilyWBy Kathleen Cassidy Goodman, PLLChen one spouse passes away, the house will not “automatically” transfer to thesurviving spouse:• Even if you were married at the time ofthe purchase of the home.• Even if you and your spouse are bothnamed in the deed.• Even if you both lived in the hometogether.• Even if you both made the paymentstogether.• Even if your spouse has named you inhis or her Will without going to probate.It is often assumed that when a spouse dies, the title to the couple’s home automatically becomes the surviving spouse’s property and nothing needs to be done. This is a false assumption. Even if the deceased person had a Will leaving his or her interest in the home to his or her spouse, this doesn’t mean nothing needs to be done. You still need to go through probate or a legal process to transfer title toyour home to the surviving spouse.To transfer your home to someone on your death without going to probate, the answer is a Texas Transfer on Death Deed. But, you must have this document prepared and filed at the courthouse – before you pass away. Then upon your death, yourHelotes Hideaway/ cottage800 sq. ft - Spacious one bedroom, one bath surrounded by large oak trees. Nice size living room with fireplace. Washer & dryer included. Quiet neighborhood & beautiful sunsets.Housing & work history required. $950 per month plus deposit.Call or text for more information.Renee (210) 884-2888“ Like A Good Neighbor State Farm Is There.”Kellie Moore10744 Braun Road(210) 688-7707www.kelliemoore.nethome will pass to the person or persons you name in the Transfer on Death Deed.The Transfer on Death Deed works similar to a beneficiary designation on an insurance policy or a bank account. In a Transfer on Death Deed, you are able to name a primary beneficiary and alternate beneficiaries. For example, you may name your spouse and if your spouse passes away before you, then your house will pass to your children.A Transfer on Death Deed is very cost effective – probate is expensive. If upon your death, your family can agree on the distribution your personal and household items, and if you have beneficiaries on all of your financial assets, then with a Transfer on Death Deed there is no need to incur the high price of probate. Call for a complimentary consultation to see if a Transfer on Death Deed is right for you.Kathleen Cassidy Goodman is an attorney in areas of estate planning, probate, civil litigation, and business law. She can be reached at her office in Helotes at (210) 949-1000 or for more information, visit www.bexarlaw.comTrafficking - continued from page 8as a Nation. Anything less is a surrender to the malevolent forces that seek to corrupt and annihilate all that we hold dear.”“Human trafficking is the most common form of modern-day slavery” reports the San Antonio Police Department web site for human trafficking. “Victims are estimated to number in the millions across the world. Females and children are trafficked most frequently, often forced into the commercial sex industry for little or no money.”“Locally, Meant to Soar Foundation (MTS) is one of the corporate partners of Goya Cares,” says Executive Director Elsa Ezell. “Meant To Soar focuses on children ages 6 to 13, throughout Bexar and Comal Counties, who have experienced the trauma of parental drug addiction or trafficking. Utilizing counseling, arts, and personalized physical activities, we help these children to realize their tremendous value, gain confidence in their uniqueness, and receive healing. One of our kids wanted to be part of NASA, so now we are working on that.”“As a guardian of these children we break the cycle of substance abuse and human trafficking by identifying children with wounded hearts and equipping them to be a strong generation” Ezell says. “Meant to Soar empowers children to overcome the generational trauma created by substance abuse and human trafficking. Love is missing in the hearts of these children, so we fill their broken lives with love. We give these children a chance to learn and grow.”We Want Your Good News!210.548.6448Submit Your Story To info@highlightspub.comGraduate Recognition:Audrey Maria HarrisonASubmitted By Claudia Harrisonudrey Maria Harrison will Graduate from Brandeis High School on June 10, 2024. She is grateful to the orchestradirector Mr. Garcia-Hettinger, Ms. Aguirre her dance teacher and various other administrators/ teachers.She plays cello with the varsity orchestra and one of her favorite memories is the Orchestra competition in Colorado and New York city. She served as Captain of the Field Dance Company and admires Mr. Aguirre for his commitment to the Bronco Band. She will miss performing at the football games.Audrey will attend UTSA in the fall majoring in Kinesiology with the aspirations to help others as a physical therapist. While at Brandeis she also was part of the Student Council and served as a Mayor ‘s Fitness Ambassador. On the weekends she attends Lifeteen groups at church. She was awarded a scholarship from the Witte Museum and East Foundation for her internship as a Land Ambassador.Her love of animals encouraged her to start a pet sitting business called Casa Pixie. Audrey feels extremely blessed to call Helotes her home and sends best wishes to all 2024 graduates.Are you a family member or a victim who needs support from a partner? Meant To Soar offers resources for overcoming child trafficking. Or perhaps you would like to help make a difference by being a volunteer. (Contact healingkids@meanttosoar.org or 210-834-4938)In San Antonio, if you witness this crime in progress call 911 or if it is not life-threatening call Non-Emergency SAPD at 210-207-7273. In Comal County anonymous tips about human trafficking can be submitted to Comal County Crime Stoppers: 830-620-TIPS (8477) or 1-800- 640-8422.Next Month: Part 5: Vulnerabilities Contribute to Trafficking.June 2024www.heloteshighlights.com11