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Wills & Trusts

Estate Planning

"An ounce of prevention..."

"...is worth a pound of cure." That adage was never truer than when applied to estate planning. Probate can be a costly, stressful "cure" for circumstances that are easily preventable. A few preventative measures can ensure that your wishes are honored and your loved ones are protected in the event of incapacity or death.

 

Dealing with the loss of a loved one is painful enough. Having to cope with loss while managing the estate of one who died without a will leaves grieving loved ones with unnecessary expense and hardship. Just a little planning can save your family from added cost, stress, and grief.

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A few simple steps can yield numerous benefits, such as . . .

  • protect your beneficiaries

  • ensure your children are cared for according to your wishes

  • ensure your property goes where you want it to go

  • save the estate -- and, thus, your beneficiaries -- money

  • save your beneficiaries time and stress

  • protect family relationships by reducing the chance of conflict and lawsuits

  • avoid guardianship proceedings

  • avoid or minimize costly, lengthy probate

. . . to name a few.

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Misconceptions
about Estate Planning . . .

  • Estate Planning is expensive. Not true. The cost of estate planning typically is far less than the cost of probating an "unplanned" estate.

  • Estate Planning is for Seniors. Again, not true. Every adult -- and their beneficiaries -- benefits from basic estate planning. And if you have a family, like the picture-perfect Shutterstock family to the right, you owe them the peace of mind and security of proper planning in the event of your incapacity or untimely death.

  • Estate Planning is for the wealthy. Wrong. Estate planning is for any adult with assets they want to pass along.

  • Estate Planning is complicated. In most cases, it's not. It can be more complicated for high net worth individuals, but estate planning is fairly straightforward for most people.

  • I don't need an attorney, I can just download a will online. You can, but that downloaded will isn't valid in Texas.

  • I already have a will, I don't need a trust. That's probably not true. A trust functions differently than a will. A will ensures that the probate court will cause your property to pass according to your wishes. A trust can keep that property out of probate altogether, saving money. And a revocable trust allows you complete control over the property in the trust as long as you're alive.

Questions about Wills, Trusts or Estate Planning?

Call, email, or simply click the button below to schedule a free 30-minute consultation to discuss how a few simple steps can protect your family and your property.

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