Law Office of Michael J. Hengst

Law Office of Michael J. Hengst We are a law firm that helps people with Social Security Disability claims.

Estate planning is not only about distributing assets. It is also about ensuring your loved ones are well-positioned and...
06/15/2026

Estate planning is not only about distributing assets. It is also about ensuring your loved ones are well-positioned and protected. Taking proactive steps now can help create clarity and reduce complications during a challenging time.

There are several important steps that can help safeguard your family and your estate:

🔹 Creating or updating a will that clearly directs how estate assets should be used to satisfy outstanding debts.
🔹 Establishing appropriate trusts to help safeguard certain assets.
🔹 Reviewing beneficiary designations on life insurance and retirement accounts, which may allow certain assets to pass outside of probate and avoid being used to satisfy estate debts, depending on state law.
🔹 Evaluating and reducing high-interest or unsecured debt during your lifetime.

Thoughtful planning today can provide stability and peace of mind tomorrow. If you would like to review your estate plan or discuss strategies to protect your loved ones, contact us to schedule a consultation.

Understanding how debt is handled after death is an important part of comprehensive estate planning. Financial obligatio...
06/10/2026

Understanding how debt is handled after death is an important part of comprehensive estate planning. Financial obligations do not simply disappear. In some cases, debts are paid from the estate through the probate process before assets are distributed to beneficiaries. Swipe through to learn more.

If you have questions about how debt may affect your estate plan, contact us to discuss your options.

Regardless of whether you are attending a fireworks show or planning to put on a small display of your own, it is import...
06/02/2026

Regardless of whether you are attending a fireworks show or planning to put on a small display of your own, it is important to remember that fireworks can cause serious injuries if not used with caution. A couple of common types of fireworks-related injuries include:

🔹 Burn injuries account for 37% of fireworks injuries and often affect hands, arms, and exposed skin. Even sparklers burn at extremely high temperatures and can cause serious burns.

🔹 Eye injuries can involve permanent vision impairment when safe viewing distances are not maintained.

🔹 Lacerations, hearing loss, and respiratory irritation can occur when devices malfunction, explode unpredictably, or produce excessive smoke or noise exposure.

🔹 More severe injuries from fireworks typically involve aerial shells or mortars from fireworks and may lead to long-term disability.

While being aware of these injuries is key to preventing them, it cannot prevent them outright. Having dedicated legal support is key in the event of an injury.

Reach out if you have questions about legal next steps after an incident. We are always here to help.

Memorial Day Weekend is one of the busiest and most dangerous times on the road and outdoors. In fact, in 2025, the Nati...
05/26/2026

Memorial Day Weekend is one of the busiest and most dangerous times on the road and outdoors. In fact, in 2025, the National Safety Council estimated that there would be 50,600 injuries from preventable traffic crashes during the 2025 Memorial Day holiday weekend.

With that in mind, taking a few simple precautions can make a meaningful difference. Swipe through to learn more.

While taking these steps can reduce the risk of injury, incidents caused by others can still occur this Memorial Day. If you or someone you know is injured due to another person’s negligence this Memorial Day, we are here to help.

Give us a call today to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney.

Once a child becomes a legal adult, parents no longer have automatic rights to make medical or financial decisions on th...
05/19/2026

Once a child becomes a legal adult, parents no longer have automatic rights to make medical or financial decisions on their behalf, even in an emergency. That is why it is so important to have the right legal documents in place. Swipe to learn more.

If your child needs help preparing or executing these documents, we can help. Give us a call today.

With National Senior Fraud Awareness Day on May 15th, we wanted to reach out to go over several common scams making the ...
05/15/2026

With National Senior Fraud Awareness Day on May 15th, we wanted to reach out to go over several common scams making the rounds so you can quickly identify potential scam messages.

✅ Tech Support Scams - Fraudsters impersonate reputable tech support representatives and claim there is a problem with your device. They seek remote access or payment to "fix" issues that don't exist.

✅ Government or Medicare Impersonation - Scammers pose as representatives from Medicare, the Social Security Administration, or other agencies to collect personal information or payments. Real agencies do not solicit such data by unsolicited calls, texts, or emails.

✅ Family Imposter Scams - Criminals pretend to be a loved one in distress and pressure you to send money immediately.

✅ Sweepstakes, Lottery, and Prize Scams - You are told that you have won money but must pay fees to collect your "winnings."

✅ Romance or Investment Scams - Scammers build emotional trust online, then exploit it for financial gain.

We hope these tips are helpful as we all navigate an increasingly online world. As always, if you have questions or need guidance within our area of expertise, do not hesitate to reach out. We are here to help.

May is Older Americans Month, and in honor of the month, we wanted to share a couple of key proactive steps you can take...
05/06/2026

May is Older Americans Month, and in honor of the month, we wanted to share a couple of key proactive steps you can take to ensure your estate plan meets your needs and protects your family. Here are some key actions you can take today:

🔹 Organize important documents - Your estate plan is only effective if the right people can access it. Make sure documents like wills, trusts, insurance policies, account statements, property records, and beneficiary designations are easily accessible to trusted family members. Include written passwords and other important papers as well.

🔹 Inventory your assets - Take stock of your financial, physical, and digital property, and cross-reference it with your estate plan to ensure nothing has been left out. If you've recently acquired an asset you'd like to include, or notice something missing, let's discuss it.

🔹 Plan memorial or final arrangements - While difficult, this is a crucial step. Determine where you'll be laid to rest, document specific requests for final arrangements, and consider pre-paying for services. This helps ease the burden on loved ones and ensures your final wishes are respected.

Taking these steps can help bring you and your family clarity, confidence, and peace of mind. If you have questions about your estate plan, feel free to reach out. We are here to help.

Since May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, we wanted to share a few practical reminders for drivers about sharing t...
05/04/2026

Since May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, we wanted to share a few practical reminders for drivers about sharing the road with motorcyclists.

Small choices behind the wheel can reduce crash risk and prevent serious legal and injury outcomes. Swipe to see more.

If you or a loved one was involved in a crash with a motorcyclist, don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here to guide you through your options and ensure that your rights are protected.

Falling on someone else’s property can happen suddenly, and it is not always clear when an accident crosses the line int...
04/30/2026

Falling on someone else’s property can happen suddenly, and it is not always clear when an accident crosses the line into something legally actionable. Understanding when a fall may be the result of negligence can make all the difference. Swipe to learn more.

If you or someone you love was injured in a fall and you are unsure of what to do next, call us today. We are here to help you evaluate and understand your legal options.

This spring, we are sharing an important reminder that estate planning helps protect you and your loved ones in all seas...
04/23/2026

This spring, we are sharing an important reminder that estate planning helps protect you and your loved ones in all seasons of life. With a strong foundation and regular updates, your estate plan can grow with you.

If you do not already have an estate plan or need to update your existing plan, give our team a call. We are here to help you.

Address

2100 West Loop South, Suite 1125
Houston, TX
77027

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+18326260400

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