Texas Estate Planning by Texas Attorneys

Texas Estate Plans helps individuals and families across the state design strategic estate plans that align with their goals, assets, and family dynamics — whether you’re starting from scratch or updating an outdated will.

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Why Estate Planning Matters

Estate planning isn’t reserved for retirees or wealthy individuals. In Texas, any adult with dependents, assets, or personal wishes should have a legal framework to:

Assign decision-makers for medical and financial matters
Direct the distribution of property
Avoid probate delays and public court battles
Designate guardians for minor children
Safeguard assets from creditors, disputes, and taxation

Without a valid estate plan, Texas intestacy laws — not your intentions — determine what happens to everything you own.

We craft plans designed around your life stage, family structure, and asset profile.

Last Will and Testament — Directs distribution of assets and guardianship for minors
Revocable Living Trust — Enables privacy, avoids probate, and streamlines asset transfers
Powers of Attorney — Assigns decision-makers for financial and healthcare matters
HIPAA Authorizations & Directives — Ensures access and clarity during medical emergencies
Pour-Over Will & Trust Funding Instructions — Protects assets not immediately titled into your trust
Specialty Trusts — Including pet trusts, special needs trusts, firearms trusts, and retirement trusts
Guardianship Nominations — Critical for parents of minors or caregivers of dependents

Trusted Estate Planning Attorneys

Navigating estate law requires more than filling out forms — it demands strategic thinking, legal precision, and personalized counsel. Whether your assets are rooted in Texas or span across state lines, our attorneys bring clarity to complex decisions, from tax exposure to cross-border trust structuring.

A comprehensive estate plan isn’t just about death — it’s about control during life. That includes naming agents for healthcare and financial decisions, crafting wills and trusts aligned with your wishes, and establishing legal safeguards to protect what you’ve built. With Texas Estate Plans, every document is tailored, every risk addressed, and every goal anchored in law.

Child Guardian Planning

For parents, nothing is more important than knowing their children will be protected, no matter what the future holds. A carefully drafted Child Guardian Plan provides that assurance. It gives you the legal power to decide who will care for your children, how they’ll be raised, and how their inheritance will be managed in your absence.

At Texas Estate Plans, we help parents take control of this deeply personal responsibility. Rather than leaving guardianship decisions to the courts, a properly executed plan ensures your wishes are honored. From naming trusted individuals to setting clear expectations for your child’s care, this plan removes ambiguity and provides stability when it’s needed most.

Peace of Mind for Texas Parents

If you’re a parent, this might be the most important legal decision you ever make. Should something happen to you unexpectedly, a Child Guardian Plan allows you to name:

Primary Guardians: Individuals aligned with your values and parenting style
Alternates: In case your first choice is unavailable
Short-Term Guardians: For immediate care in emergency situations
Healthcare and Educational Preferences: Outlining how you’d like your children to be raised
Religious and Cultural Values: If applicable
Children’s Trust: To manage inheritance responsibly until adulthood
Emergency Contact Matrix: For schools, babysitters, and caregivers

With clear documentation and legal enforceability, your children avoid court-appointed strangers and potential custody battles.

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.

Comprehensive Estate Planning Across Texas

At Texas Estate Plans, we deliver comprehensive estate planning solutions to individuals and families throughout the state — combining legal precision with modern accessibility. Whether you’re planning for the unexpected or preparing for a secure future, our attorneys work directly with you to design a plan that reflects your values, assets, and long-term goals.

We’ve reimagined the estate planning experience to be as thoughtful as the plans themselves. Through secure virtual consultations, flat-rate pricing, and clear guidance at every step, our approach puts you in control without sacrificing legal rigor. From foundational wills and living trusts to advanced strategies for legacy protection, every detail is crafted with intention and tailored to your life.

Let our Texas-based legal team guide you with clarity, confidentiality, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing your plan is built to last.

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Essential Estate Planning Documents

Medical directives
Final disposition instructions
Trust certificate
Trust funding instructions
Successor trustee manual
Customized trust diagram
Motor Vehicle Affidavit
Last will & testament
Revocable living trust
Pour-over will
Appointment of guardians and conservators
Durable power of attorney
Medical power of attorney
HIPAA authorization
Living will
Children’s Trust (asset protection)
Pet trust
Special needs trust
Firearms trust
Standalone retirement trust
Charitable trusts
Professional trust funding

FAQs about Estate Planning

How Does Probate Work in Texas, and Can It Be Avoided?

In Texas, probate is the court-supervised process for settling a deceased person’s estate. This includes validating the will, appointing an executor or administrator, and distributing assets to heirs. While necessary in some cases, probate can be slow, expensive, and public. It often delays asset access, adds legal costs, and may expose sensitive family matters to public scrutiny.

Proper estate planning can reduce or eliminate the need for probate altogether. Establishing a revocable living trust, clearly titling assets, and executing enforceable powers of attorney can create a seamless transition. Our attorneys help structure your estate to avoid probate pitfalls, preserve privacy, and accelerate distribution to your loved ones.

What Happens If I Don’t Have an Estate Plan in Texas?

Without a valid estate plan, Texas law takes over. Your estate is handled through intestate succession, a default process that may allocate your property in ways that conflict with your personal wishes. The court will also decide who raises your minor children, manages your assets, and resolves disputes—often without insight into your values or family dynamics.

An estate plan replaces uncertainty with clarity. By documenting your intentions through wills, trusts, and healthcare directives, you protect your family from unnecessary court involvement and emotional stress during an already difficult time.

What’s the Process of Creating an Estate Plan with an Attorney?

Our process is structured, but personal. We begin with an in-depth consultation to understand your goals, assets, and concerns. From there, we guide you through design decisions—explaining legal tools like wills, trusts, and powers of attorney in plain language.

Next, we draft your documents, review them with you for accuracy and completeness, and finalize them through a formal signing process. Every detail is tailored to your unique life—whether you’re protecting a growing family, planning for incapacity, or preserving generational wealth.

How Often Should I Update My Estate Plan?

As a rule of thumb, estate plans should be reviewed every 3–5 years. However, any major life event should prompt a sooner update—such as marriage, divorce, a new child, a death in the family, a significant inheritance, or changes to your health or financial situation.

Estate law and tax codes also evolve. We encourage clients to think of their estate plan as a living document—something to be maintained, not just signed and forgotten.

What’s the Difference Between a Will and a Trust?

A will is a legal document that takes effect after death. It designates how your assets should be distributed, names guardians for minors, and must pass through probate. A trust, on the other hand, becomes effective immediately upon creation. It allows you to manage and distribute assets during your lifetime and after death—often without going through probate.

For many Texans, a combination of both is the ideal approach: the will provides legal authority over guardianship and property outside the trust, while the trust handles asset transfers efficiently and privately.

How Are Estate Planning Fees Structured?

Estate planning fees vary depending on the attorney and the complexity of your situation. Some firms charge hourly, while others apply tiered fees based on asset size or document count. At Texas Estate Plans, we take a different approach: **transparent flat-rate pricing**. This gives you clarity from the start and ensures the entire process is focused on your goals—not the clock.

Your fee includes consultations, document drafting, attorney review, custom diagrams, and full signing ceremony support. We make it easy to plan without surprises.

Do I Still Need an Estate Plan If I’m Young and Healthy?

Absolutely. Estate planning isn’t just about distributing wealth—it’s about control. Even if you’re in perfect health, a medical emergency could leave you unable to make decisions. A plan gives someone you trust the authority to act on your behalf and ensures your wishes are followed.

It’s also essential for parents of young children. Without legal guardianship documents, the court decides who will raise your children if you can’t. Planning now provides peace of mind—no matter what the future holds.

Can I Create My Estate Plan Online Without a Lawyer?

DIY tools may appear convenient, but estate law is nuanced. A small error—missing witness signatures, improper funding of a trust, or vague language—can invalidate an entire plan or create unintended outcomes. Online forms can’t account for complex family dynamics, blended families, or real-world application of Texas probate code.

Working with an experienced estate planning attorney ensures your plan is legally sound, state-compliant, and personalized. It’s not just about having documents—it’s about making sure they work when they’re needed most.

At Texas Estate Plans, you get the best of both worlds. We offer fully virtual consultations and planning sessions.

What Types of Assets Can Be Included in an Estate Plan?

How Does Estate Planning Protect Against Family Disputes?

Clear documentation and proactive planning reduce the likelihood of conflict. When beneficiaries understand your intentions, and legal documents spell out roles and responsibilities, there’s far less room for misinterpretation or challenge. A solid estate plan can prevent lawsuits, preserve relationships, and foster unity during emotional transitions.

Our team specializes in creating clarity—on paper and in practice—so your family remains protected, informed, and at peace.

“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.”