Wills & Trusts
Using a number of tools, we help clients express their intent to medical staff and loved ones regarding to the quality of care and property.
"Living Wills"
These documents inform people around our client of their desires when our client cannot make it known themselves. They include medical and other powers of attorney, advance directive to physicians, declaration of guardian in advance of need, and “do not resuscitate” orders.
Trusts
Trusts separate title to property from the people who may derive benefit from that property. They have three roles, and depending on how used, can be three different people or all the same person. Trusts can be used as part of an ongoing estate plan for living clients or part of a will to avoid probate. There has been concerns about improper use of trusts by non-lawyers as a means to defraud people by overcharging for setting them up. See these links from the TX Attorney General and State Bar discussing the matter [resources]. We can assess your situation and determine how best to help.
Living trust for homestead (when appropriate)
Base trust documents: $1,900
Deed into trust: $250
Amendments to trust: $400 (that we drafted), inquire for amendments to trust drafted by others
Pour-over trust to go with living will: $550
Testamentary Wills
We assist clients to distribute their assets, name guardians where needed, and avoid probate of their estate to the greatest extent possible. Fees will vary by complexity of the estate and value of the assets.
Simple estate (assets <$1M), Single or Married: $2,900 (no minor children), $4,900 (with minor children)
Assets $1M-5M: $4,900-38,000+
Assets >$5M: $39,000+