On July 13, 2017  (revised July 24, 2017), we posted on the firm’s website Legislative Update II summarizing the new requirements enacted into law by House Bill 1974 (click here) and Senate Bills 39 and 1193 (click here and here), which are effective September 1, 2017, that substantially affect durable powers of attorney under Chapters 751 and 752 of the Estates Code. If you have not read Legislative Update II, we advise that you do so before September 1, 2017, because it details important new requirements regarding the acceptance of or refusal to accept durable powers of attorney.

This legislative update summarizes additional bills from the 2017 Legislative Session that we consider of interest to our clients. The effective dates of these bills are noted in the applicable bill summary. Previous to this legislative update, we issued Legislative Update I, summarizing proposed constitutional amendments and their enabling legislation, Legislative Update II, summarizing three bills that substantially affect durable powers of attorney, and Legislative Update III, summarizing bills relating to real property. Legislative Updates I, II and III are found on the Articles page of the firm’s website www.bmandg.com.