Katy, Texas Estate Planning Lawyer

Attorney Serving Fort Bend County Provides Wills, Power of Attorney and Trust Assistance 

Everyone deserves the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you and your family will be taken care of in the event of an emergency.

If you are over the age of 21 and unmarried, do you know who will watch over your medical care and financial decisions if you become disabled by a serious illness or accident, even if it is just for a few weeks or months? This is why every adult should designate someone to have power of attorney for financial affairs and either the same person or another to have power of attorney for health care decisions.

Likewise, when you pass away, do you feel confident that your hard-earned savings and belongings will go to the right people? If you do not have a will or a trust that specifies your beneficiaries, you may be surprised to learn how Texas law will distribute your estate by default, also known as dying intestate.

At The Foray Firm, we understand that many people find it difficult to think about the uncertainties of life. In our experience, though, people feel great relief once they sit down and talk about their estate planning needs. It can be much easier to work through these issues with another person who is both objective and highly experienced than trying to do it alone.

We assist individuals and families of all backgrounds with estate planning. Regardless of the size of your estate, everyone can benefit from the process of estate planning. We are particularly sensitive to the needs of African-American families, Spanish-speaking families, and LGBTQ families.

How the Estate Planning Process Works

The legal team at The Foray Firm will provide sound counsel in the development and execution of your Texas estate plan. We have been practicing family law for over a decade and have experience with a wide range of family situations.

We start by listening to your family story, so we develop a clear picture of your situation. Then we ask detailed questions about your financial situation as well as your priorities and preferences. Using that information, we can recommend estate planning strategies that will protect you during your lifetime and ensure that your heirs receive the benefits you want them to have after your death.

Texas Power of Attorney Documents for Lifetime Use

Powers of attorney (POA) ensure that a reliable person will oversee your medical and financial decisions during times in your life when you are unable to make those decisions for yourself. The Foray Firm Houston can help you formalize the following documents:

• Texas Medical Power of Attorney – This document authorizes your named agent to make health care decisions for you when you are unable to do so.
• Texas Advanced Medical Directives – These documents allow you to communicate your wishes about future medical treatment.
• A Living Will, also known as a Directive to Physicians and Family, specifies your wishes for life-sustaining care in the event of a terminal or irreversible condition.
• A Declaration for Mental Health Treatment specifies your wishes regarding psychoactive medication, convulsive therapy, and emergency mental health treatment.
• An Out-of-Hospital Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) form expresses your wish to have a natural death without artificial resuscitation.
• Statutory Durable Power of Attorney – This document authorizes your named agent to make decisions regarding your property and finances, such as managing your bank accounts, bills, income tax returns, real estate, and Social Security benefits.

Wills and Trusts for Distribution of Assets Upon Death

A will or trust dictates what happens to your assets upon your death.

• Will – If you have minor children, you need a will to name a legal guardian for them. A will also specifies how your estate should be managed and distributed upon your death.
• Revocable living trust – With this type of trust, you title all of your assets in the name of the trust. You retain full control of the assets during your lifetime or until you become unable to manage your own affairs. At that point, the successor trustee that you designate will take over the management of the trust. Upon your death, the successor trustee will pay off any debts and distribute the remainder of your estate to the designated beneficiaries as specified in the trust terms. This enables your heirs to avoid the probate court process. However, if you have any assets outside the living trust, you will need a will to dispose of them.
• Other types of trusts – If you have heirs who may not be competent to manage their inheritance, you can establish a spendthrift trust which provides an income to the beneficiary while controlling their access to the principal. You can also establish a trust for the care of an animal, for a charitable purpose, or for other special purposes.

Fort Bend County Estate Planning Lawyers

The attorneys of The Foray Firm are dedicated to providing reliable legal representation to families of all races, ethnicities, and genders. Contact us in our Houston, TX office at 832-919-6400. We serve clients throughout Fort Bend County, including the communities of Fulshear, Katy, Richmond, and Sugar Land, and in Waller County and Harris County.