Estate Planning
Representation in estate planning matters range from simple planning through complex multi-generation planning for large estates with substantial business or other assets. We routinely work with clients to solve difficult planning problems and accomplish their goals with minimal inconvenience and expense to all involved.
Services provided routinely included:
- Simple and complex Wills, Medical Powers of Attorney, and Durable Powers of Attorney for property
- Revocable and Irrevocable Trusts, formed during lifetime ("living trust") or at death ("testamentary trust")
- Planning for the management of property of those losing the capacity to manage their own property
- Federal estate, gift, and generation skipping transfer tax planning
- Planning so that gifts are received by the right people at the right time ("dispositive planning")
- Limited family partnerships and other statutory entities such as LLCs and Corporations to accomplish tax and dispositive goals
Tools also frequently used include other trusts customary to integrated planning, such as generation-skipping for children and other beneficiaries, irrevocable life insurance trusts, and special purpose trusts for a spouse or others. Revocable and Irrevocable Trusts, Directives to Physicians under the Texas Natural Death Act, Sibling and Family Agreements (see the Dallas Morning News article March 8, 2007), and other appropriate ancillary documents needed for lifetime planning are also negotiated and prepared.
In addition to direct representation of clients, the firm is pleased to provide services in this area to other attorneys on an associate counsel or consulting basis.