Estate Planning Lawyer in Dallas-Fort Worth

Our estate planning services use flat, transparent pricing, so you know the cost before we start. A simple will is less than a full estate plan that includes trusts, powers of attorney, and health care directives. A revocable living trust with a pour-over will runs higher than a stand-alone will because it transfers assets outside of probate. We explain every option and every price in your free consultation. Call (214) 727-8160 to schedule.

Most estate plans include at least a will; many also include a trust. A will directs asset distribution after death but passes through the probate court. A revocable living trust avoids probate, keeps your affairs private, and allows continuous management if you become incapacitated. We help you decide which combination fits your situation based on your assets, your family, and whether probate avoidance matters to you.

A complete Texas estate plan generally includes: a last will and testament, a revocable living trust (when probate avoidance is a goal), durable power of attorney for financial matters, medical power of attorney, HIPAA authorization, directive to physicians (living will), and guardian nominations for minor children. Business owners may also need a business succession plan. Our estate planning lawyers review your situation and recommend exactly what you need, nothing more and nothing less.

You should meet with an estate planning lawyer when you own real estate, have minor children, run a business, or have assets you want distributed in a specific way. You should also update your plan after major life events: marriage, divorce, the birth of a child or grandchild, death of a named beneficiary, a significant change in assets, or a move to a new state. As a rule, review your plan every 3 to 5 years even if nothing has changed.

Without an estate plan, Texas intestacy law decides how your assets are divided and a court decides who manages your estate. If you have minor children, the court decides who raises them. Your spouse may not receive everything you expected. Your estate goes through probate, which takes months and costs more than a properly drafted plan would have cost. An estate planning lawyer ensures your wishes, not the state's default rules, control what happens.

Yes. For most Texas families, federal estate tax is not an issue because of the high exemption, but there are still planning strategies that reduce taxes on retirement accounts, preserve the step-up in basis, and protect assets from long-term care costs. An estate planning attorney can use irrevocable trusts, gifting strategies, and beneficiary designations to minimize taxes and maximize what passes to your family.

Yes. Estate plans are living documents. After your plan is in place, we offer scheduled reviews and updates when your family, assets, or goals change. Most clients come back every 3 to 5 years or after a major life event. We keep your documents current and your family protected.