Texas Trusts Attorneys

Your Legacy. Your Rules. Your Texas Trust.

Avoid probate, protect your privacy, and keep your family in control with a revocable living trust tailored to Texas law.

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Avoid Probate with a Trust from Texas Estate Plans

Avoiding probate protects your family from court delays, legal fees, and unnecessary stress. A trust from Texas Estate Plans makes it simple.

Probate in Texas can be time-consuming, costly, and public—tying up your assets for months or even years before your loved ones can access them. Even in “simplified” Texas probate cases, your family must still navigate legal procedures, court filings, and attorney fees, all while grieving your loss. A revocable living trust from Texas Estate Plans helps you avoid probate entirely by allowing your assets to pass directly to your chosen beneficiaries—privately, efficiently, and without court involvement. With a trust-based estate plan, you stay in control of how and when your estate is distributed, protect your family’s privacy, and give your loved ones the gift of peace of mind when they need it most.

What Is a Revocable Living Trust?

A Revocable Living Trust is a powerful estate planning tool that allows you to manage, protect, and transfer your assets privately and efficiently—without the delays, costs, or publicity of probate court. In Texas, where even a “simplified” probate can still be time-consuming and stressful, a living trust gives you and your family real control and peace of mind.

Unlike a will, which only takes effect after death and must go through the probate process, a revocable living trust goes into effect immediately once signed and funded. You (the “grantor”) retain complete control of your assets while you’re alive and well, can change or revoke the trust at any time, and name a successor trustee to manage or distribute your assets if you become incapacitated or pass away.

In plain terms: you stay in charge, but you’ve built a backup plan that works without court involvement. That’s the kind of legal foresight Texans appreciate—because we know life doesn’t always go according to plan.

Key Benefits of a Revocable Trust in Texas:

Avoids probate in all 254 Texas counties
Keeps your estate and beneficiaries private
Allows for incapacity planning without needing court-ordered guardianship
Enables staggered or age-based distributions to children or heirs
Supports multi-generational planning through subtrusts
Works seamlessly with Texas Transfer-on-Death Deeds and Lady Bird Deeds

Think of a trust as your own Texas-sized vault. You control what goes in, who has access, and when they get it—without ever handing over the keys until you say so.

Trust Funding: Why It Matters in Texas

A Revocable Living Trust is only as strong as the assets it holds. Creating a trust is an important first step—but unless you actually move your assets into the trust, it won’t work the way it’s supposed to. This critical step is called trust funding, and it’s the #1 reason most living trusts fail in Texas.

Most people think trusts are just for the wealthy. But in truth, if you own a home, have children, or want to stay out of court, a revocable trust is the smarter Texas-sized solution. And when paired with proper funding and Texas-specific documents like pour-over wills, durable powers of attorney, and homestead deeds, it becomes a bulletproof plan that protects your legacy now and later.

The Texas Advantage: Why Trusts Make Sense in the Lone Star State

Community Property Rules: Our planning reflects Texas’ unique marital property laws
Homestead Considerations: We protect your rights while transferring your home into the trust
No State Estate Tax: Use your trust to plan efficiently for federal estate taxes if applicable

How Does a Revocable Living Trust Work in Texas?

Creating a Revocable Living Trust in Texas is like drafting a rulebook for how your assets should be managed both during your life and after your death—but without involving a court. Once the trust is created, you transfer ownership of your assets into the trust—this is called funding. You’re still the trustee (the manager), and you can continue to use, sell, or spend your assets just like before.

But if something happens to you—accident, illness, or death—your successor trustee (someone you’ve appointed) steps in to manage your affairs without a court’s permission. No probate. No red tape. No delay.

In Texas, your trust can hold:

Real estate (including your homestead, rentals, ranches, or lake house)
Bank accounts and investment portfolios
Business interests and LLCs
Personal property, vehicles, and digital assets

A Texas trust also works hand-in-hand with Transfer-on-Death Deeds, Lady Bird Deeds, and Durable Powers of Attorney to create a comprehensive, legally bulletproof plan that avoids probate and preserves privacy.

With our guidance, the entire process is turnkey—from drafting and customizing the trust to funding and recording deeds—so you’re not left with an empty binder. Because a trust is only effective if it’s funded and compliant under Texas law.

Three Step Estate Planning

In only 3 meetings (2 over Zoom, and 1 in-person), we’ll help you protect your family’s future, secure your wealth, and preserve your legacy.

Step 1

Schedule and attend your FREE online Peace-of-Mind Planning Session with our expert attorneys. (a $450 value!)

Step 2

Attend your Estate Plan Design Meeting with a Texas-licensed attorney over Zoom to craft your custom estate plan.

Step 3

Sign your custom-crafted estate plan in person at your Legacy Celebration & Signing Ceremony.

Revocable Living Trust vs. Will in Texas: Which One Do You Need?

Texans often ask: “Do I need a will or a trust?” The answer depends on your goals—but let’s compare the two.

Feature	Will	Revocable Living Trust
Avoids Probate?	No	Yes
Private?	Public Court Record	100% Private
Effective When?	After Death	Immediately Upon Signing
Manages Incapacity?	No	Yes
Controls Distributions?	Limited	Fully Customizable
Helps with Out-of-State Property?	Separate Probate Required	Covered Under Trust
Supports Blended Families or Asset Protection?	Not Easily	Yes

A Last Will and Testament is better than nothing—but it’s also a ticket to probate. It must be validated by a Texas probate court, filed publicly, and managed by your executor under judicial supervision.

A Revocable Living Trust, by contrast, skips the court entirely. It streamlines everything, speeds up inheritance, and keeps your affairs private—even if you own property in multiple counties or states.

And here’s the purple elephant moment: most families don’t realize that a will still means court, costs, and potential conflict. That’s why many parents, homeowners, and blended families in Texas choose a trust—not because they’re wealthy, but because they’re smart.

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FAQs about Trusts in Texas

Do I really need a trust if I already have a will?

What makes a trust “revocable”?

How does a Revocable Trust Work in Texas

You Create the TrustYou (the grantor) create a legal document naming yourself as trustee. You retain full control over all assets placed into the trust.
You Fund the TrustFunding means retitling assets (real estate, bank accounts, brokerage accounts) into the name of the trust. This is critical—an unfunded trust is just a fancy stack of paper.
You Manage EverythingAs long as you’re alive and well, you manage the trust just like you manage your personal assets.
If You Become IncapacitatedYour chosen successor trustee steps in to manage the trust without court intervention.
When You Pass AwayYour successor trustee distributes assets according to your instructions—no probate required.

We build every trust with Texas law in mind—from Hill Country ranches to urban condos.

Does a living trust protect me during my lifetime?

What are the top mistakes Texans make with Living Trusts?

Creating a Revocable Living Trust is smart—but only if it’s done right. We’ve helped countless Texans fix or replace DIY or outdated trusts. These are the most common mistakes we see:

1. Failing to Fund the Trust
Creating the trust is only step one. If your assets aren’t retitled into the trust, the court may still require probate. That’s like building a vault and leaving your valuables on the counter.

At Texas Estate Plans, we walk you through every asset, help draft transfer documents, and verify proper funding—so your plan works when your family needs it.

2. Outdated or Generic Documents
Texas law is unique. Using a one-size-fits-all online trust—or one from another state—can result in problems with homestead rights, executor appointments, or even guardianship.

We draft every trust to be Texas-compliant and include things like community property rules, Lady Bird Deeds, and real estate-specific language.

3. Naming the Wrong Trustee
A successor trustee should be trustworthy, responsible, and aligned with your values—not just your oldest child or closest sibling by default.

We help you evaluate and select the right person—or even a professional fiduciary—to minimize family tension and avoid mismanagement.

4. No Incapacity Planning
A trust isn’t just for death. If you become incapacitated, your successor trustee should be able to step in. But if your plan doesn’t define incapacity properly, banks and institutions may refuse to honor it.

We include Texas-specific incapacity language and optional physician certification triggers.

The purple elephant here? Most trusts don’t fail because of bad intentions—they fail because no one followed through. We make sure you don’t fall into that trap.

Is a revocable trust private?

Can I use a trust to protect my children’s inheritance?

Do I still need a will if I have a trust?

What is trust funding, and why is it important?

How much does a trust cost in Texas?

Can I make my own trust online?

How do I get started?

Why choose Texas Estate Plans for your trust-based plan?

Trusts aren’t just for the wealthy. They’re for the wise. And when you’re building something to protect your legacy, you want it done right—the Texas way.

At Texas Estate Plans, we do more than draft documents. We design custom trust-based estate plans that reflect your values, protect your family, and comply with every nuance of Texas law—from probate avoidance and property rights to Medicaid protection and community property rules.

Here’s why families, professionals, and entrepreneurs across the Lone Star State trust us with their legacy:

1. We’re Built for Texas

We aren’t a national legal mill or robo-lawyer startup. Our attorneys live and work in Texas, and we draft every trust to follow the Texas Estates Code, Property Code, and real-world practice in counties from Travis to Harris to Hays. We use Texas-specific strategies like:

Lady Bird Deeds to preserve homestead rights
Community property planning for married couples
Guardian nominations valid in Texas courts
Probate court avoidance in all 254 counties

2. Custom Planning, Not Cookie-Cutter

No two families are the same. Whether you’re a parent, retiree, blended family, or business owner, your plan needs to reflect your goals. We offer:

Revocable Living Trusts
Subtrusts for children
Asset protection planning
Testamentary charitable giving
Multi-generational Dynasty Trust strategies

Every trust is hand-drafted by a licensed Texas estate planning attorney—no bots, no templates, no shortcuts.

3. Flat Fees and Flexible Options

We offer clear pricing—not mystery retainers or billable hours. Choose from DIY, Hybrid, or White-Glove journeys based on your budget and needs. And yes, you can meet with us in-person or 100% virtually, anywhere in Texas.

4. Trust Funding That Actually Happens

A trust without funding is just an expensive will. That’s why we partner with TrustFunding.com to help you fully transfer your assets—real estate, bank accounts, brokerage accounts, and more—into your trust. It’s all part of your plan.

5. Long-Term Relationship, Not a One-Time Deal

With our Legacy Lock™ Membership Plan, we don’t just set it and forget it. We offer annual reviews, unlimited amendments, Docubank access, and secure digital vaults—because your life will change, and your plan should evolve with it.

Most law firms either don’t offer trusts at all—or they give you a stack of paper and send you on your way. No funding. No follow-up. No support.

We don’t do that. At Texas Estate Plans, we lock in your legacy with a system, not just signatures.

Texans don’t cut corners when it comes to family, land, or legacy. Neither do we.

What makes our Trust Funding different?

White-Glove Support — We offer hands-on help through our White-Glove and Hybrid plans, or you can DIY with our step-by-step guide.
Texas-Specific Strategy — From homestead protections to community property rights, your trust is funded in compliance with Texas law.
Digital Vault Integration — All your funding documentation is stored securely inside our BePrepared™ Digital Vault, accessible to you and your successor trustee.
Ongoing Maintenance — Life changes. New assets. We keep your trust funded for life through our Legacy Lock™ Membership Plan.

Why It Matters

A trust is only as good as what’s in it. Without proper funding, your family may still end up in probate, facing delays, expenses, and public court filings. But with Texas Estate Plans + TrustFunding.com, you get a system, not just a set of documents.

Let your trust do what it was built to do—protect your family, preserve your privacy, and keep you out of court.

“At Texas Estate Plans, your peace of mind is our priority. We are dedicated to helping you secure your family’s future and create a lasting legacy for generations to come. Trust us to protect what matters most.”