Estate Planning Lawyers: Protect Your Wishes & Legacy

Estate Planning for Everyone You Love and Everything You Have

If something unexpected happens to you, the impact can affect your loved ones, your money and property, and everything else important to you. At best, you may be looking at difficult healthcare decisions or tense probate. At worst, your assets could be distributed in ways you never intended and your children could end up with guardians you would never have chosen.

An estate plan can eliminate all that uncertainty and ensure that your future is as carefully planned as possible. The investment in a Texas estate planning lawyer can pay off repeatedly as your life unfolds.

Why Hire Us For Your Texas Estate Planning Needs?

Norris & Golubovic, PLLC is a trusted Texas estate planning law firm known for our:

Extensive experience
Client-centered approach
Commitment to providing personalized and effective legal services

Our experienced attorneys take the time to listen to your story, understand your circumstances, goals, and concerns, and offer personalized solutions for your specific needs. Our attention to detail and dedication to client satisfaction ensures that every aspect of your estate plan, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and advance directives, is thoroughly addressed.

By entrusting your estate planning needs to Norris & Golubovic, PLLC, you can have confidence that your wishes will be accurately documented and your loved ones will be well-protected in the event of your incapacity or passing.

How Our Lawyers Can Help You With Estate Planning

At Norris & Golubovic, PLLC, we conduct a Family Wealth Planning Session that will help you inventory your assets and take stock of your family circumstances. If you decide to move forward, we can help you design an estate plan that offers maximum protection for everyone you love and everything you own.

For people with additional needs, we provide advanced estate planning services. If you have a loved one with special needs or want to protect your wealth in a manner that preserves your eligibility for Medicaid, Norris Golubovic, PLLC can tailor a plan that meets your goals.

Your Estate Planning Options in Texas

Everyone’s future is unique, and your estate plan should be too. Below is an overview of key estate planning tools that can manage your assets and affairs during your lifetime and distribute your property after you pass.

Last Will and Testament: A will is a legal document that outlines how you want your assets to be distributed after your death. It allows you to name an executor to manage your estate, designate guardians for minor children, and specify any other instructions regarding your estate.
Revocable Living Trust: A revocable living trust is a legal entity that holds your assets during your lifetime and allows for their seamless transfer to your beneficiaries upon your death. It provides flexibility, privacy, and the ability to avoid probate.
Durable Power of Attorney: A durable power of attorney allows someone to make financial, business, and legal decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. This person, known as your agent or attorney-in-fact, can manage your financial affairs, pay bills, and make other important decisions.
Medical Power of Attorney: A medical power of attorney allows you to designate an agent to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so. This document grants your agent the authority to communicate with healthcare providers and make healthcare choices based on your wishes.
Advance Directive (Living Will): An advance directive, commonly referred to as a living will, outlines your preferences for medical treatment whenever you are unable to communicate your wishes. It typically includes instructions regarding life-sustaining treatments, resuscitation, and end-of-life care.
HIPAA Authorization: The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) authorization allows you to authorize specific individuals to access your protected health information. This is important to ensure that your designated agents or family members can obtain medical records and communicate with healthcare providers.

An experienced estate planning attorney in Texas can help you understand which tools are most appropriate for your specific circumstances. They can also work with you to update the plan as your life changes, ensuring that it always reflects your wishes and goals.

FAQS

Can I DIY My Estate Plan?

While it may be tempting to DIY your estate plan to save money, there are several reasons why it’s not a good idea. Here are some key considerations:

- Estate Planning is Complex: Estate planning involves intricate legal and financial matters, including probate laws, tax implications, and asset distribution. Texas has specific laws and regulations governing such plans, and it can be hard for those without legal expertise to navigate them effectively.
- Plans Should Be Unique: Estate planning is not a one-size-fits-all process. Each person’s situation is unique, and a DIY approach may not adequately address your specific needs and goals. An experienced estate planning attorney can assess your circumstances, identify potential issues, and tailor your plan accordingly.
- It’s Too Easy to Make Mistakes: DIY estate plans are prone to errors and omissions, which can lead to unintended consequences. One mistake in the wording or structure of your documents can render them invalid or create disputes among your beneficiaries.

Laws Can Change: Estate planning laws are subject to change. When you don’t stay updated on the latest legal developments, you might inadvertently create an outdated or non-compliant estate plan.

There Are Potential Cost Savings: While DIY estate planning may seem cost-effective initially, it can lead to significant expenses down the line. Mistakes made during the planning process may require legal intervention, resulting in additional costs, delays, and potential litigation.

Estate planning involves more than just creating a will. It requires careful consideration of various factors, such as asset protection, healthcare directives, guardianship for minors, and tax planning. An estate planning lawyer can give you detailed advice and make sure everything is covered. You’ll end up with an estate plan that reflects your wishes and protects your loved ones.

I’m Young and Single. Do I Really Need an Estate Plan?

Yes. Even if you are young and single, having an estate plan is still crucial. While it may seem unnecessary at this stage of life, there are significant reasons to consider it.

An estate plan allows you to dictate how your assets will be distributed, ensuring that they go to the individuals or organizations you choose. Designating beneficiaries for financial accounts, retirement plans, and life insurance policies is also important. Additionally, an estate plan facilitates healthcare decision-making in case of incapacitation, allowing someone you trust to make medical decisions on your behalf. It also addresses the management and transfer of digital assets and enables you to name a guardian for any minor children you may have.

Remember: estate planning isn’t only about protecting and managing your assets. It also addresses unexpected events that impact you personally, such as incapacity. Talk to us today about how we can help you face the future with peace of mind.

Won’t All My Assets Just Go to My Next of Kin? Why Plan?

While it is true that in the absence of an estate plan, your assets may generally pass to your next of kin, it’s important to understand that without proper planning, the distribution may not align with your specific wishes. Here are a few reasons why planning is still crucial:

Intestate Laws: When you pass away without a will or estate plan, the Texas intestate laws govern the distribution of your assets. These laws may distribute your assets differently than you would have preferred. Planning allows you to control who receives what and in what proportions.
Minimizing Family Conflicts: Without clear instructions in an estate plan, disputes among family members can arise, leading to potential conflicts and strained relationships. An estate plan reduces ambiguity and provides a framework for the smooth transfer of assets, minimizing the likelihood of disagreements among your loved ones.
Protecting Minor Beneficiaries: If you have minor children or beneficiaries, an estate plan allows you to designate a guardian to care for them. Without a plan, the court may have to appoint a guardian, and their choice may not align with your wishes or your children’s best interests.
Asset Protection and Taxes: Estate planning can include strategies to protect your assets from potential creditors, lawsuits, or excessive taxation. By implementing appropriate trusts and structures, you can maximize the value of your estate and minimize tax liabilities.
Planning for Incapacity: Estate planning also involves preparing for incapacity. Through documents like powers of attorney and healthcare directives, you can appoint trusted individuals to make financial and medical decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so. Without such provisions, a court may have to intervene, resulting in potential delays and uncertainty.

By engaging in estate planning, you have the opportunity to ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes, minimize family conflicts, provide for your loved ones, and protect your assets.

Contact a Texas Estate Planning Lawyer Today

Whether you’re starting out or planning retirement, single or married, having a professionally crafted estate plan is essential. Your Personal Family Lawyer® at Norris Golubovic, PLLC will educate you, answer all your questions, and help you produce an estate plan that meets your needs and keeps your loved ones out of court and out of conflict.

Don’t leave your assets, healthcare decisions, and the well-being of your family to chance. Act now and schedule a consultation with a Texas estate planning lawyer who will provide personalized guidance. Take the first step towards securing your legacy by reaching out to a trusted professional today. To schedule a no-obligation consultation, call 713-804-7472 or contact us online.