Richardson, Texas Estate Planning Attorneys
Your Dallas area estate planning lawyers. For well over a decade our attorneys have served thousands of families and businesses across the State of Texas.
Our Focus on Estate Planning
Individual Attention
Unlike many estate planning law firms, we don’t base our practice on fill-in-the-blank forms. We take the time to understand our clients’ particular needs.
Give Peace of Mind
An estate plan provides peace of mind to families. Having a plan saves stress and money for loved ones.
Distribute Assets Well
If you don’t create an estate plan, the State of Texas has one for you. The default legal provisions rarely distribute assets the way Texas families would have wanted.
Avoid Estate Disputes
Our estate planning team also has experience with probate and estate legal disputes. This experience helps us reduce the likelihood of legal challenges that might drain your estate or harm family relationships.
More than Just Assets
Estate planning is also about protecting the people you love, including naming guardians for minor children.
Leave A Larger Legacy
No one wants to pay too much in taxes, administration costs or lawyers. A good estate plan leaves a larger legacy to your loved ones.
Estate Planning Made Simple.
Estate planning is the process of arranging and distributing your assets in a manner that will ensure that your wishes are fulfilled after you pass away. It is a complex process that involves legal, financial, and tax considerations. To ensure that your estate plan is done correctly, it is essential to hire an experienced estate planning attorney. However, even though estate planning is complicated for the attorneys, it should be simple for you.
Flat-Fee Estate Planning Options
WILLS PLUS PLANNING PACKAGE
$750* ($1,125* for couples)
Our popular all-in-one Will-Based bundle, including all of the of documents listed below and two one-on-one meetings with your estate planning attorney.
*(price may vary for complexity or change-of-mind rewrites)
| Last Will and Testament (testamentary trust included, if applicable, for no additional fee) |
| Durable General Power of Attorney |
| Declaration of Guardian |
| Medical Power of Attorney |
| HIPAA Release Authorization |
| Advance Directive to Physicians (“Living Will”) |
| Appointment of Agent for Disposition of Remains |
| Letter of Instructions to My Executor |
TRUST-BASED PLAN
$1,875* ($2,250* for couples)
Clients love our flat-rate trust-based plan when they want add the benefits of a Texas revocable living trust.
*(price may vary for complexity or change-of-mind rewrites)
| Revocable Living Trust |
| Trust Funding Instructions (1 deed and other standard funding documents included, if applicable, for no additional fee) |
| Last Will and Testament (“pourover will”) |
| Durable General Power of Attorney |
| Declaration of Guardian |
| Medical Power of Attorney |
| HIPAA Release Authorization |
| Advance Directive to Physicians (“Living Will”) |
| Appointment of Agent for Disposition of Remains |
| Letter of Instructions to My Executor |
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”
The Complexity of Estate Planning
Estate planning can be complex, and there is not a one-size-fits all estate plan. An experienced estate planning attorney can help navigate the legal landscape and ensure that all documents are legally sound, enforceable, and simple for families to use in the real world. Attorneys can also help clients avoid common mistakes that can lead to legal challenges, such as unclear or ambiguous language in a will or trust.
The Benefits of Experienced Estate Planning Attorneys
Guidance and Advice
An experienced estate planning attorney can provide guidance and advice throughout the estate planning process. The most valuable thing an estate planning attorney provides is counsel. While clients identify their goals and objectives, the attorneys explain the legal implications of different options and recommend the best strategies to achieve their objectives.
Legal Expertise
Estate planning attorneys have a deep understanding of ever-changing estate planning laws and regulations. They also help clients avoid potential legal challenges.
Personalization
Every individual’s estate planning needs are unique. An experienced estate planning attorney can help create a plan that is tailored to a client’s specific needs and circumstances. This is why Shutt Law Firm’s Richardson, TX estate planning attorneys emphasize one-on-one meetings with clients.
Peace of Mind
Estate planning can be stressful, and it can be difficult to know whether everything has been done correctly. Working with an experienced estate planning attorney can provide peace of mind, knowing that everything is in order and that loved ones will be taken care of according to your wishes.
When to Work with an Estate Planning Attorney
It is never too early to begin estate planning. However, there are certain life events that may make it particularly important to work with an estate planning attorney. These include:
- Starting a family
- Getting married or divorced
- Receiving a significant inheritance
- Starting a business
- Entering retirement
- Relocating from another state
FAQs
Q: What is the difference between a will and a trust?
A: A will is a legal document that outlines how a person’s assets should be distributed after their death. A trust is a legal relationship (often established during the person’s lifetime) that can hold assets and distribute them according to the trust document’s instructions.
Q: Can I create my own estate plan without an attorney?
A: While it is possible to create an estate plan without an attorney, it is generally not recommended. Estate planning laws can be complex, and it is easy to make mistakes that can lead to legal challenges.
Q: How often should I review my estate plan?
A: It is a good idea to review your estate plan every few years, or whenever there is a significant life event, such as a birth, death, marriage, or divorce.
Q: Can estate planning help minimize taxes?
A: Yes, estate planning can help minimize taxes by utilizing tax-saving strategies such as trusts, gifting, and charitable contributions.
Schedule Your Consultation
The first step to estate planning is your initial meeting. We offer a convenient online calendar where you can select your preferred meeting time and also select your preferred meeting method (in-office / phone / video).
Send Us A Message
Contact Us
(214) 302-8197
office@shuttlawfirm.com
522 Bishop Ave.
Richardson, TX 75081