A New, typically difficult chapter begins...

Ironically, my need to write here today comes wholly unexpected but with equal urgency as that which drove me to write back in 2002 or so, b...

Wednesday, July 22, 2026

My father: Process log of Trust/Will formation

This page will serve as a living overview of the work my father and I are presently doing with respect to his Trust and Last Will. My purpose in putting this together is simple: to keep my siblings informed, in a clear and organized way, as the process continues to move forward. Because this matter is still in progress, I am presenting this as a working summary rather than a final statement of completed facts.

At this stage, the Trust and Will remain in the final stages of review and discussion. Accordingly, anything written here should be understood in that context — as part of an ongoing process that is still being refined before final signature and execution.

Trust and Will formation process

The legal team representing my father was retained through a professional referral. From the outset, the goal has been to work through the estate plan carefully and deliberately, with an emphasis on ensuring that my father’s intentions are clearly understood and accurately reflected in the final documents.

II. Key planning priorities

A central issue in the process has been how to structure the estate in a way that aligns with my father’s wishes while remaining practical and orderly. One major part of that discussion has involved the treatment of his real property, which is intended to serve as the primary funding asset for the Trust.

Another important topic has been the relationship between the Trust, the Will, and the existing beneficiary designations already in place at my father’s financial institutions. My father’s preference, as we have discussed it, is for his liquid assets to remain governed by those existing designations rather than being folded unnecessarily into the Trust structure.

III. Ongoing communication and documentation

Because this process has involved a number of important decisions, I have made a point of keeping track of the major discussions as they occur. My aim is not to create unnecessary complication, but rather to preserve a clear record of the process for the benefit of the family and for my father’s own peace of mind.

It has also been important to me that my father remain directly involved in the final stages of review and execution. Since this is ultimately his estate plan, I believe it is essential that he be given every opportunity to confirm the final form of the documents in his own voice and on his own terms.

IV. Matters still being resolved

There are still a few open points that need to be fully addressed before final execution. These include:

  • Final confirmation of how the real property will be handled within the Trust structure.

  • Final clarification of how the Trust and Will will interact with existing beneficiary designations.

  • Final review of the language to ensure it accurately reflects my father’s intentions and avoids unnecessary ambiguity.

These are ordinary but important parts of the estate-planning process, and they deserve to be handled with care.

Why I am sharing this

I am posting this update because I believe it is better for my siblings to remain informed than to be left guessing about what is happening. Estate planning is often a sensitive subject, and I do not want anyone in the family to feel excluded from the general progress of the work. My hope is that this page will offer a steady, transparent, and respectful account of where things stand as we move toward completion.

This is not intended to be argumentative, alarmist, or adversarial. It is simply my effort to keep the family aware of the process while making sure my father’s wishes are treated with the seriousness they deserve.

Closing note

This page will continue to be updated as the work progresses. Once the documents are finalized and signed, I will be able to present a more complete and accurate account of the finished estate plan.

[end]

WED 07/21/26

 WED 07/21/26

  • cleaned bath and vacuumed, mopped housewide floors

  • Inputted all new Quickbooks invoices/payments/bills/checks/deposit

  • Drove to Deer Park and assisted DAD with moving a freezer and generator from a friends property to the WESTMON property

  •  Located best place to install freezer inside of WESTMONT property, cleaned freezer, re arranged surrounding items and installed freezer in kitchen

  • 3 hours assisting with AC technician’s at WESTMONT property

  • 3 hours updating JOEL personal blog with new content related to ongoing Trust/Will process for father

  • Made tentative plans for scheduling meetings with siblings to discuss our father’s Trust/Will and specifically to describe to them how the Trust/Will works in light of the explicit named beneficiaries at all of dad’s current financial institutions

  • Logged on to TOMMY various investment and banking sites, produced PDF versions of all beneficiary assignments, stored on cloud server and printed in preparation for sharing with siblings

  • JOEL received message from personal attorney re: JOEL personal ongoing legal efforts; followed instructions sent by attorney/trustee and replied that message had been received.


Tuesday, July 21, 2026

TUE 07/21/26

 TUE 07/21/26

  • cleaned bath and vacuumed, mopped housewide floors

  • Inputted all new Quickbooks invoices/payments/bills/checks/deposit

  • TOMMY conversation about ongoing HTIRE client payment issues

  • Received request from TOMMY to forward any/all payables contact information for the client who has not paid their statement in over a year

  • TOMMY request to review and pay Tax Assessors property tax for HTIRE 2026

  • Logged on to Harris County Tax Assessor's payment portal, confirmed amount to be paid and made necessary payment via HTIRE CC; printed/archived hard copy and digital receipts for tax payment

  • Dad call to inform that air conditioning inspector will be coming by WESTMONT property between 10am and 11am on Wed 07/22/26

  • Logged on to Harris County Tax payment portal, created individual account and manually linked both the WESTMONT and MARKET STREET properties to said individual account. While logged in, confirmed that both accounts were properly paid, printed 2025 Tax Due statements and 2025 payment receipts for both properties to file in TOMMY cabinet; also saved/archive digital copies to family cloud server

  • Received JOEL contact information for PBRAVO at JOEL personal attorney’s office, created google contact (case manager for JOEL law firm)

MON 07/20/26

 MON 07/20/26

  • cleaned bath and vacuumed, mopped housewide floors

  • Inputted all new Quickbooks invoices/payments/bills/checks/deposit

  • Conversation with JOEL personal attorney requesting forms discussed in previous Friday formal meeting

  • Per TOMMY request, photographed sofa/chair and emailed to prospective buyer

  • Per TOMMY request, organized the invoice and statement data around an ongoing payment issue with a certain (NCEMS) HTIRE customer who has not paid statements in the past year.  Created PDF binders of the latest statement and associated invoices as well as a separate PDF binder documenting the $300 or so credit that said customer has with HTIRE.

  • JOEL personal emails to TOMMY  personal attorney emphasizing his desire (dad) to have progress on his legal proceedings. Also, per dad's request, sent a subsequent email emphasizing his emphatic claims of NOT PAYING OVER $XX amount which was discussed in our first, formal retainer meeting and upon paying the retainer for services. Loosely discussed the need for immediate verbal communication between legal team and my father, highlighting the fact that our communications for the past two months have all be sans his input (dad), which is Dad’s desire, but as things are reaching a near-execution point, as discussions turn towards topics such as final  payments and amounts, it’s highly important, despite his (dad’s) reluctance, for him and his legal team to have DIRECT, vocal discussions. Expressed desire to have final review documents by this weeks end and for the scheduling of a formal, joint call between myself, my dad and his legal team next work week.

  • Received an important JOEL attorney forwarded document which I need to fill out and return. 

  • Paid all of JOEL outstanding Affirm/Sezzle installment plans to zero balance

  • Had JOEL car inspected

  • Logged onto TX DPS site and renewed JOEL personal car registration and made payment via online portal; printed temporary proof of registration in advance of receiviing the new sticker should I be pulled over before the new sticker arrives and is placed on my vehicle

  • Received HTIRE accountant monthly invoice, logged onto Intuit payment portal an paid invoice; saved PDF binder of payment receipt and stored on HTIRE cloud server

SUN 07/19/26

 SUN 07/19/26

  • cleaned bath and vacuumed, mopped housewide floors

  • Assisted dad with moving a couch and chair from his personal friends property

FRI 07/17/26

 FRI 07/17/26

  • cleaned bath and vacuumed, mopped housewide floors

  • Inputted all new Quickbooks invoices/payments/bills/checks/deposit

  • Verbal discussion with TOMMY re: NCEMS and their not getting back to us about their HTIRE outstanding balance. Commented that I had tried a voice call and text the following day and that the best course would be for him to contact them directly.

  • JOEL meeting with personal attorney from 10:30AM TO 12PM to discuss pre signing details and final steps before moving forward. Met new paralegal/trustee, “Perla” who is forwarding various documents I need to fill out and return

  • TOMMY phone call to request assistance for following day/Saturday, with moving his personal property from another residence where the owner is no longer living. Commented that I had planned on possibly surfing that day but would assist with whatever he needs and then do any beach related activity later

  • TOMMY request to book parking at Hobby airport for his upcoming Vegas trip; logged onto TOMMY SW Air account to get correct departure (Hou) and Arrival (Hou) times for his departure and return flights from/to Houston as the dates he provided me on a note were not accurate. Logged onto Hobby airport parking/booking website and booked his entry/exit times from Hobby garages, printed/saved PDF binder and stored on family cloud server and printed physical copy for TOMMY review

THUR 07/16/26

 THUR 07/16/26

  • cleaned bath and vacuumed, mopped housewide floors

  • Inputted all new Quickbooks invoices/payments/bills/checks/deposit

  • Received HTIRE accountant June invoice; logged on to Intuit payment portal and paid invoice via ACH; archived digital PDF receipt on HTIRE cloud server

  • JOEL confirmation of Friday July 17 personal attorney meeting; forwarded updated and necessary meeting document

  • TOMMY request to voice call NCEMS contact to ask about payment of outstanding invoices

  • Phoned NCEMS contact and left voice message to call myself or my dad back when available.

  • JOEL phone call to TOMMY personal accountant to ask for explanation of what the “Texas Tax Protest” service is/was which he paid recently. Accountant confirmed it is legit service.

  • At HTIRE shop from 11:30am to 1:30am covering for TOMMY out on appointment

  • TOMMY request to investigate random call from a purported Walmart rep to discuss a “fraudulent” purchase. Recorded phone call to call back, claim number and also logged in to Walmart (JOEL) account to check for any purchases. 

  • Investigated the Walmart call and determined it a well know scam; printed scam details and left for TOMMY to read/review


WED 07/15/26

 WED 07/15/26

  • cleaned bath and vacuumed, mopped housewide floors

  • Inputted all new Quickbooks invoices/payments/bills/checks/deposit

  • Received fwd’d WESTMONT Tax payment/remittance documents from former HTIRE secretary, reviewed and paid via tax office online portal

  • Scanned/archived digital PDF binders of tax payment and informed TOMMY of payment and supplied printed receipts for review

  • Received confirm email from TOMMY attorney re: final draft documents for review

TUE 07/14/26

 TUE 07/14/26

  • cleaned bath and vacuumed, mopped housewide floors

  • Inputted all new Quickbooks invoices/payments/bills/checks/deposit

  • JOEL further work on sealing external window frames at WESTMONT home

  • Emailed reminder to TOMMY attorney to send final review documents

  • Inputted payment of six outstanding TGS invoices, saved/scanned PDF digital binder

  • JOEL pickup of AMZ order from local drop off locker

MON 07/13/26

 MON 07/13/26

  • cleaned bath and vacuumed, mopped housewide floors

  • Inputted all new Quickbooks invoices/payments/bills/checks/deposit

  • JOEL cut back yard, blew off side walks and cleaned/stowed EGO mower

  • JOEL hour sealing two more external window frames with mastic clay before rain began; entire front portion of WESTMONT window frames are 95% complete.

FRI 07/10/26

 FRI 07/10/26

  • cleaned bath and vacuumed, mopped housewide floors

  • Inputted all new Quickbooks invoices/payments/bills/checks/deposit

  • Received reply from online shop RE: TOMMY seatbelt extension; online shop offered 35% refund while not shipping defective item back. Replied via TOMMY email accepting the 35% offer

  • JOEL conversation with TOMMY attorney, 30/45 minutes discussing finalization of TOMMY legal work and also discussing preliminary signing date. ATTY ended conversation with statement that he would be sending review documents same day or first of next work week

  • JOEL 2 hours working outdoors to seal all WESTMONT home antiquated steel frame windows with mastic clay/putty. Planning on doing two window frames per day. Results good.

  • Informed DAD that I was starting a daily regime of completely shutting down central AC in WESTMONT home and using only my personal portable AC in my office until he gets home each afternoon. Have tested this same practice over past summers and it significantly reduced monthly electricity bill (by $100+ a month). Printed example page from my first few days of shutting off central AC and using only my portable AC, a print out from Gexa energy’s online portal which showed clearly that before 2pm, when I turn the home central AC on, the energy use across the household was easily 50% less than after Central AC is turned on

THUR 07/09/26

 THUR 07/09/26

  • cleaned bath and vacuumed, mopped housewide floors

  • Inputted all new Quickbooks invoices/payments/bills/checks/deposit

  • TOMMY request to contact online shop where he bought a universal seat belt extender and request refund; contacted shop (Belro) and requested refund, citing defective product and included PDF attachment of original purchase receipt

  • JOEL most of day working on software/hardware tuning/config of personal workstation

  • Emailed multiple TOMMY Tax/gift related 2026 document to TOMMY accountant

  • Measured kitchen window and back door glass openings for sourcing of thermal/black out curtains installation (summer time energy/cooling savings). I’ve already installed blackout/thermal curtains on every WESTMONT property bedroom/living room windows. Only kitchen window and dual back porch doors remain uncovered.

  • Printed glossy photos per TOMMY request of family member marriage events/etc. Framed and hung some in WESTMONT home and left others out for gifting to family

WED 07/08/26

 WED 07/08/26

  • cleaned bath and vacuumed, mopped housewide floors

  • Inputted all new Quickbooks invoices/payments/bills/checks/deposit

  • Prepared sealant/mastic clay for eventual use to seal all of WESTMONT home external window frames; waiting for dry day to first wash/strip loose material on first window set

  • Checked/renewed various for sale listings online (DAD Dreo AC/JOEL laptop, surfboard, etc.)

  • Began basic plan for presenting DAD financial status across various investment positions on a weekly basis to help with his problems accessing said investment banks online portals

TUE 07/07/26

 TUE 07/07/26

  • cleaned bath and vacuumed, mopped housewide floors

  • Inputted all new Quickbooks invoices/payments/bills/checks/deposit

  • Created and sent remaining statements for all HTIRE customers

  • Most of day spent working on JOEL secondary workstation software re install

  • JOEL began compiling software for re install on primary workstation

  • Created Win 11 loT Enterprise LTSC 2024 install media and successfully installed on JOEL backup workstation

  • Cut/trimmed DAD photo for framing (niece/Harlen)

MON 07/06/26

 MON 07/06/26

  • cleaned bath and vacuumed, mopped housewide floors

  • Inputted all new Quickbooks invoices/payments/bills/checks/deposit

  • Created and sent statements for all HTIRE customers

  • Emailed TOMMY attorney with final notes regarding online legal work

  • Emailed payables department at NCEMS to address ongoing confusion around where to send NCEMS statements as well as express mention of a lingering 2025 invoice and applicable credit existing on NCEMS’ account with HTIRE

  • Tested TOMMY temporary seat belt extenstion on Audi and found it to be non functional; packaged and prepared seat belt extension for return to AMZ

  • Received reply from NCEMS on preferred email for payable statements; generated NCEMS statement and forwarded PDF binder to preferred email

FRI 07/03/26

 FRI 07/03/26

  • cleaned bath and vacuumed, mopped housewide floors

  • Inputted all new Quickbooks invoices/payments/bills/checks/deposit

  • Received update from TOMMY attorney; archived till after holiday

  • JOEL work on personal legal matters

  • JOEL various Zoom call/meetings

Thursday, July 2, 2026

THUR 07/02/26

 THUR 07/01/26

  • cleaned bath and vacuumed, mopped housewide floors

  • Inputted all new Quickbooks invoices/payments/bills/checks/deposit

  • 3 HOURS on TOMMY personal legal/attorney matters

  • 3 hours researching TOMMY recent investment product interest/phone call with bank representative/email with bank rep

  • Directly assisted TOMMY with funds transfer from personal brokerage to new investment bank; printed/archived all related hard copy data

  • Discussion with TOMMY of creating a dedicated file folder for only his fiscal instruments where important, easy to understand data around maturity dates, grace periods,  etc. could be easily reviewed by him at any point

  • JOEL plans to began sealing ALL of Westmont home external window frames with newly acquired sealant clay

  • JOEL verbal discussion with TOMMY acct about single CC account. Logged on to CC account owner portal, paid outstanding balance and printed/archived digital payment confirmation; noted TOMMY/ACCT instruction to not close CC if still open

  • Ordered multiple office products (paper/labels/file folder) via AMZ and HTIRE AMEX; printed and inputted all expenses

WED 07/01/26

 WED 07/01/26

  • cleaned bath and vacuumed, mopped housewide floors

  • Inputted all new Quickbooks invoices/payments/bills/checks/deposit

  • 3 HOURS on TOMMY personal legal/attorney matters

  • 3 hours researching TOMMY recent investment product interest/phone call with bank representative/email with bank rep

  • Direct verbal work with TOMMY assisting with how best to invest in recent product/position/opportunity

  • 4 hours research on individual vs POD/trust titled CDs, compiled presentable explanation for TOMMY

TUE 06/30/26

 TUE 06/30/26

  • cleaned bath and vacuumed, mopped housewide floors

  • Inputted all new Quickbooks invoices/payments/bills/checks/deposit

  • TOMMY request to scan recent SPARK statement and send PDF binder to his acct for payment and assurance that the CC account has been closed post payment

  • Emailed TOMMY attorney re: ongoing legal matters; discussed details of email with TOMMY  

  • TOMMY phone call to request I log on to his Fidelity brokerage and give him current balance on one position. Logged on to brokerage and sent amount per request

MON 06/29/26

 MON 06/29/26

  • cleaned bath and vacuumed, mopped housewide floors

  • Inputted all new Quickbooks invoices/payments/bills/checks/deposit

  • JOEL trip to shop to return broken alarm box; unsuccessful in repair

  • TOMMY dropped off random HTIRE customer payment check asking me to place it on his desk for later review/deposit. Placed HTIRE customer payment check on TOMMY desk, signed and dated and photographed

  • TOMMY call informing of bringing TAX documents needing to be scanned and mailed to TOMMY accountant

  • JOEL multiple hours working on personal legal matters

  • TOMMY verbal request/phone call to log  on to his personal email and review a recent credit card payment-by-phone he made for Mercedes seat belt extension.

  • Logged on to TOMMY personal email and reviewed his recent CC phone payment

  • Scanned and created multiple PDF binders for TOMMY received HTIRE tax documents; scanned and emailed three IRS documents to TOMMY personal accountant

FRI 06/26/26

 FRI 06/26/26

  • cleaned bath and vacuumed, mopped housewide floors

  • Inputted all new Quickbooks invoices/payments/bills/checks/deposit

  • JOEL PERSONAL DAY WORKING ON FINANCIAL/LEGAL MATTERS

THUR 06/25/26

 THUR 06/25/26

  • cleaned bath and vacuumed, mopped housewide floors

  • Inputted all new Quickbooks invoices/payments/bills/checks/deposit

  • JOEL PERSONAL DAY WORKING ON FINANCIAL/LEGAL MATTERS

WED 06/24/26

 WED 06/24/26

  • cleaned bath and vacuumed, mopped housewide floors

  • Inputted all new Quickbooks invoices/payments/bills/checks/deposit

  • 4 HOURS work on JOEL personal attorney/legal matters/forms

  • Multiple JOEL phone calls with IRS to confirm all is on track with payment plan schedule

  • Cut/weedeat/blow off entire front of Westmont property

TUE 06/23/26

 TUE 06/23/26

  • cleaned bath and vacuumed, mopped housewide floors

  • Inputted all new Quickbooks invoices/payments/bills/checks/deposit

  • 4 HOURS work on JOEL personal attorney/legal matters/forms

  • At shop from 8am to 10am covering for TOMMY out on personal matters

The jbhFILE.com Official Daily Blog

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Houston, Texas, United States
This blog is a supplementary text to my main website at: http://www.jbhfile.com. The purpose of this blog is to form a semi daily dialogue related to personal circumstances as outlined in jbhFILE.com. have fun.