Estate Planning Attorney Helping Texas Families Plan with Confidence.
What is Estate Planning?
Estate planning is the process of making important decisions about your future, such as who will manage your affairs if you become incapacitated and how your property will be distributed after your death.
Proper estate planning with the help of an experienced attorney can help ensure that your wishes are carried out and your loved ones are not faced with difficult decisions in a time of grief.
Many times, people believe that they have to be wealthy or need to be a certain age before a true need for estate planning arises. This is simply not true. It is important that all adults, over the age of 18, have an estate plan in place.
Without an estate plan, Texas law determines what happens to your property, finances, and even decisions about medical care or guardianship. Families are usually forced to endure long and costly legal proceedings when an estate planning is neglected.
Estate planning is not just for later in life. It is for anyone who owns property, has children, wants control over their future, or wants to protect loved ones from unnecessary legal stress.
Why Estate Planning Matters in Texas
Core Estate Planning Documents
An estate plan may include:
Last Will and Testament – directs how assets are distributed and designates a person to handle final affairs
Revocable or Irrevocable Trusts – can help manage or distribute assets without the need of guardianship or probate
Durable Power of Attorney – authorizes financial and general decision-making
Medical Power of Attorney – appoints a healthcare decision-maker
Directive to Physicians (Living Will) – expresses end-of-life wishes
Declaration of Guardian – designates preferred guardians over your person or or financial and property assets
Each plan is tailored to your family structure, goals, and assets.
Estate Planning for Incapacity
When done correctly, estate planning also can also prepare for an unexpected loss of the ability to make decisions. If you become incapacitated without proper documents in place, your loved ones may need to seek court-ordered guardianship, which for many, is an expensive and time-consuming process.
Proactive planning can often avoid this outcome by clearly documenting your wishes and appointing trusted decision-makers ahead of time. Attorney guidance can ensure that your documents are valid and can withstand possible legal challenges.
Common Estate Planning Mistakes
Some of the most common issues I see when it comes to Texas estate plans include:
Relying on outdated or online forms
Using forms created for states other than Texas
Naming beneficiaries without considering life circumstances
Failing to plan for incapacity
Assuming assets automatically avoid probate
Not including contingencies for future marriage, divorce, births, or adoptions
Your estate plan should evolve as your life changes. Proper attorney guidance can help make sure your documents have you covered.
The Whitney thomas law firm process
INITIAL CONSULTATION
Let’s start by scheduling an initial consultation where I get to know you and your unique estate planning needs. During this meeting, we'll discuss your goals, concerns, and any specific circumstances that may influence your estate plan. This consultation is designed to establish a solid foundation for our collaboration and ensure that I understand your objectives fully. You will also have the opportunity to select the best Estate Planning Flat Fee package for you.
DESIGN MEETING
Once I have a comprehensive understanding of your estate, you'll schedule a design meeting to outline the specifics of your plan. During this session, we'll review various strategies and options tailored to your circumstances, explaining each in clear, jargon-free language. My goal is to ensure that you fully comprehend the proposed plan and are comfortable with every aspect before moving forward.
ESTATE PROFILE BUILDING
After the initial consultation, we move on to building your estate profile. This involves filling out intake sheets that gather essential information about your assets, beneficiaries, and any special considerations you wish to address in your estate plan. By meticulously documenting these details, I can tailor a customized plan that reflects your wishes and safeguards your legacy.
SIGNING CEREMONY
The final step in the process is the execution of your estate planning documents at a formal signing ceremony. This event provides an opportunity to finalize your plan and sign all necessary legal documents under the guidance of our experienced professionals. I will ensure that every detail is in place, and all documents are executed correctly, giving you peace of mind knowing that your wishes are officially recorded and legally binding.
Estate planning is one of the most meaningful gifts
you can leave your loved ones.
fREQUENTLY aSKED QUESTIONS
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A will outlines how your property ill be distributed after your death, while a trust allows you to designate a trustee to manage your property during your lifetime and then distribute your property, per your instructions, after your death.
Though each document has it’s pros and cons, I can help you determine which document is the best fit you and your legacy goals.
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The benefit of hiring an attorney when it comes to creating an estate plan is the personalized legal advice and the attorney’s ability to draft documents tailored to your specific circumstances. This ensures your estate plan is legally sound and meets your goals effectively.
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In most circumstances, you cannot create an estate plan or estate plan documents for a loved one. Estate planning requires the creator to have the desire and mental capacity to make a plan.
If you are concerned about a loved one’s ability to make decisions or take care of themselves, you may want to schedule a consultation for guardianship.
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Yes. A will of a deceased loved one has no power until it is probated and declared valid by a probate judge. Seeking an attorney’s advice and assistance when drafting a will can help ensure that the probate process is smoother for your surviving family.
It is important to note, that not having a valid will at death does not necessarily avoid the probate process, but can make it much more difficult and burdensome. -
Generally, no. However, there may be exceptions depending on specific circumstances and whether all property was funded to the trust prior to death.
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No, joint wills are not valid in Texas. However, spouses may opt to create reciprocal wills if their wishes mirror each other.
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The time to complete an estate plan varies based on complexity and individual circumstances. Most simple estate plans can be completed and scheduled for signing in a couple of weeks.
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The cost of estate planning depends on factors such as the complexity of your estate and the services required. I offer flat fee pricing for all estate planning services. During your initial consultation, you will be able to choose the estate planning package that is the best fit for you.
