Estate Planning Attorney in Arlington, TX

Secure Your Legacy With Trusted Legal Advisors

Nobody wants to think about becoming incapacitated or dying in an accident or from an unexpected illness. It can be difficult to talk about "what if."

Younger people may find the thought even more frightening. When you are the primary provider for your family or have young children, it is almost more important to prepare for an accident. Let our estate planning attorneys in Arlington, TX, assist you along the way.

For many families in Arlington, taking this first step provides a sense of relief rather than fear. Once you begin working with us, we can help you identify your priorities, talk through potential scenarios, and put documents in place that reflect your values. Knowing you have a plan for your home, your savings, and your children can make it easier to focus on living your life instead of worrying about the unknown.

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Why Partner With an Arlington Estate Planning Attorney?

It is possible to create an estate plan without the assistance of an attorney. However, without the help of an experienced professional, you may be unable to maximize your benefits. Even an estate that appears simple on the surface can become complex when you start the estate planning process, and only an attorney for estate planning can work with you to create a plan that best protects your interests.

Expert Guidance on Wills, Trusts, and Powers of Attorney

Estate planning requires extensive time, effort, and legal knowledge. With a proper estate plan, you can ensure the proper management of your property and business after your death, as well as continued care for your dependents.

We can use our decades of experience to help you with:

• Drafting wills
• Probate litigation
• Avoiding probate delays
• Trust administration
• Trust litigation
• Powers of attorney

Typically, people start to run into obstacles once their estate plan involves a trust. While trusts can certainly be confusing at first glance, we can help you understand their purpose and decide whether or not your estate plan needs one.

If we determine you will benefit from a trust, we can help you decide which of the following to create:

• Revocable trusts
• Irrevocable trusts
• Discretionary trusts
• Incentive trusts
• Charitable trusts
• Implied trusts

Estate planning is a term for the litany of legal devices people use to protect and preserve what matters most to them. Two of the most common estate planning tools are wills and trusts, which allow you to manage your assets and determine who will receive them after you pass away.

With a proper estate plan, you may:

• Designate beneficiaries
• Appoint an administrator/trustee/executor
• Establish funds for your dependents
• Avoid litigation during probate
• Create a business succession plan
• Protect your estate from excessive taxes
• Ensure your final wishes are carried out after you die

When we create an estate plan, we look beyond just “who gets what” and consider how each decision will affect your family over time. Thoughtful planning can help reduce conflict among loved ones, provide guidance for medical decisions, and coordinate how life insurance, retirement accounts, and real estate work together. In Texas, failing to plan can leave your family relying on default state laws that may not reflect your wishes, so taking time now to prepare can help them avoid confusion and delays later.

Key Considerations When Creating Your Estate Plan

In order to commit your family's wishes and dreams to an enforceable legal document, it takes a compassionate and experienced estate planning attorney.

In creating a customized estate plan for you, we consider the following options:

• Have you ever had children from another relationship?
• What is the age of the children?
• Are durable powers of attorney necessary?
• Are you interested in setting up a trust for educational expenses or starting a business, and at what age should they be allowed to withdraw funds?
• Will you be including any charities or extended family members in your will?

As your life changes, estate plans can also be changed. Moving, having more children, growing businesses, and divorcing are all common occurrences in people's lives. It is impossible to plan for every possible turn our lives may take; we can only expect to die someday.

Texas Estate Planning and Probate Considerations

Estate planning in Texas has unique features that are important to understand as you make decisions. The Texas Estates Code and related laws govern everything from how wills are interpreted to how an estate is handled when there is no will. Planning with these rules in mind can help your family avoid unnecessary court oversight and make use of options that are available under state law. Our knowledge of how these rules play out in Arlington and across Tarrant County informs the guidance we provide.

For example, Texas allows for independent administration of estates in many situations, which can simplify the probate process if your documents are prepared correctly. Certain assets, such as homestead property or retirement accounts with beneficiaries, may also receive special treatment under Texas law. An estate planning attorney on our team can help you understand how these rules apply to your specific situation so you can decide how best to structure ownership and beneficiary designations. When your plan is aligned with state law, it is more likely to work smoothly when your family needs it most.

We also discuss how your estate plan may interact with potential probate proceedings in the Tarrant County probate courts. While probate is not always required, it is important to know when it might be necessary and what steps your loved ones may have to take. By planning ahead, you can often reduce the complexity and cost of that process or, in some circumstances, allow certain assets to pass outside of probate altogether. This Texas-focused approach helps provide clarity and peace of mind for families who live and work in the Arlington area.

Choose The Law Office of Marilyn D. Garner for Your Estate Planning Needs

By retaining the services of our competent Arlington estate planning attorney, you can begin to understand the laws surrounding your legacy and develop a solution that meets your needs. The Law Office of Marilyn D. Garner is here to take you through this process from start to finish, predicting and overcoming legal and financial roadblocks along the way.

We do not consider any case to be too simple for our attention or too complex for our abilities. If you have a case that requires unparalleled attention to detail and years of experience, we are the team for you. Let us help you build the legal and financial foundations your assets, dependents, and legacy require.

Begin by calling an Arlington estate planning attorney at (817) 381-9292 today.

Frequently Asked Questions

When Should I Create My First Estate Plan?

Many people assume estate planning is only for later in life, but it can be important as soon as you have dependents, own a home, or have savings you want to protect. Creating a basic plan when you are younger ensures someone you trust can make decisions if you become ill and that your property will pass according to your wishes. You can then update and expand your plan over time as your family and finances change.

How Often Should I Update My Estate Planning Documents?

As a general rule, you should review your documents after any major life event such as marriage, divorce, the birth or adoption of a child, or a significant change in assets. It can also be helpful to take another look every few years, even if nothing major has changed. Regular reviews by an estate planning attorney in Arlington, TX can help ensure that your chosen decision-makers are still the right people and that your plan reflects your current goals and relationships.

Do I Need a Will If I Already Have a Trust?

A trust can be a planning tool, but most people still need a will to work alongside it. A will can name guardians for minor children and act as a safety net for any assets that are not titled in the name of your trust. Having both documents allows you to address a wider range of situations and provides more complete instructions for the people who will be handling your affairs.