Houston Estate Planning

Find the right Wills & Trusts attorney in Houston, TX

Most people in Houston have preferences about what should be done with their property after they die. This is why the process of estate planning exists - it authorizes people to make a broad range of decisions related to this issue.

If you want to start the process of planning your estate, you've made a good choice, especially if you care about what happens to your survivors after you're gone. You should be careful, however, and make sure you have the help of a legal and financial expert every step of the way. This will likely prove extremely helpful in the long run, avoiding a lot of problems in the future.

In addition to post-death decisions, estate planning also concerns matters that might affect you during your life, such as granting power of attorney to a family member or trusted friend in case you become unable to make your own decisions regarding your finances or medical care. Additionally, effective estate planning can minimize the impact that estate taxes and court fees will have on your final disposition to your loved ones.

If you want to maximize the odds that your wishes will be followed after your death, you should do everything you can to make them legally binding. While this is not always possible, a Houston attorney will be able to make sure that, where it is allowed, it is done.

Common Features of Houston Estates

Will: This is the centerpiece of most estate plans. A will is a document written by a person (the "testator"), normally with the help of a lawyer, which says what is to be done with their property after they die. Most provisions in a will are legally binding, to the extent that ownership of the property legally passes to the named beneficiary. However, a will cannot compel a person to do anything against their wishes (though it can certainly state your preferences on the matter, phrasing them as requests).

Living Will: This is a document which lays out instructions for your medical care, should you become so sick or badly harmed that you are unable to express your wishes. It should state under what situations you want to remain on life support. A well-drafted living will can prevent you from being kept alive in a permanent vegetative state (if that is not what you want), while ensuring that you receive medical care as long as you have a chance at recovery.

Power of Attorney: Power of attorney is the power to make binding decisions for another person, when that person becomes unable to make or express their own decisions. You can grant power of attorney to anyone you want, but, for obvious reasons, you should only grant it to somebody you trust, and discuss your exact wishes with them, in case they actually have to make a decision for you.

Funeral Arrangements: If you have any strong preferences regarding the disposition of your physical remains, you should make them known to your family early, and should not include funeral instructions in your will. Wills are commonly read weeks after the testator dies, so in most cases, it will be too late by then.

Do I Need a Houston Estates Lawyer?

A brilliant lawyer in Houston can make the process of estate planning as simple as it possibly can be. He or she can help ensure that your wishes are given effect, and minimize the chances of disputes between your survivors.

Talk to a Wills, Trusts & Estates Law Attorney now!

Life in Houston

Houston, Texas is a large area with many fun-filled attractions for tourists to enjoy. For starters, the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center consists of 1,620 acres and 100 facilities where people can experience a zero-gravity environment and a virtual rocket launch. For all those with secret astronaut aspirations, this NASA attraction is perfect!

The Houston Zoo has over 4,500 animals and is a great place for some family fun. Kemah Boardwalk consists of a large amusement park, Ferris wheel, train ride, hotels, and restaurants. It is the mini-Disneyland of Houston!

Other popular attractions include the Museum District, Downtown Aquarium, Galleria Mall, and Bayou Place, the popular entertainment megaplex filled with theatres, bars, lounges and restaurants.

With a large population of 2.1 million people, it is natural that a large legal industry is needed to suit the needs of so many. With a few law schools in Houston producing many graduates, the mid to small sized law firms adequately handle the citizens' legal needs.

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