Estate Planning Attorneys in Pearland Helping Protect Futures and Families

Planning for one of life’s greatest challenges is daunting for most. It’s likely why half of the American population doesn’t have an estate plan to protect the people they love and their assets when they’re gone.

It’s only natural to give our immediate attention to the here and now, assume there’s more time, or believe we’re not yet in a financial position to need an estate plan.

The benefits of protecting yourself—and your family—far outweigh any doubts, confusion, or mixed feelings about when, how, or what the right legal steps to take are with regard to estate planning. That’s where Hatchett Law Firm, PLLC comes in.

There’s nothing like the peace of mind, comfort, and security you get from making proactive choices about your future.

Whatever stage of life or mindset you’re in, we can ease the burden and help you design a comprehensive estate plan that protects the life you’ve built so far or the one you’re in the process of building—from the people in it to your valuable belongings and assets.

Lean on the Hatchett Law Firm, PLLC for reliable and cost-effective estate planning counsel to minimize risks and protect your future and your family.

What is an Estate Plan?

Your estate is made up of valuable assets, including vehicles, businesses, properties, investments and bank accounts, personal belongings, and other items of value. Not exclusive to “things” or money,  taking care of young children and who will care for them in your absence is also part of your “estate.”

In the event of your untimely death or should you become incapacitated, an estate plan will determine who will receive your assets and manage their distribution.

These legal documents make up a comprehensive estate plan and protect your lifelong earnings, resources, and prized possessions:

• Will
• Trust
• Financial and health care powers of attorney
• Beneficiary or beneficiaries nomination
• Business succession plan
• Letter of intent

Our experienced estate planning attorneys with The Hatchett Law Firm, PLLC can assist in all of your estate planning matters, starting with putting the right strategies in place, from wills and trusts to special needs planning, powers of attorney, declaration of guardian, and more.

What are Myths in Estate Planning?

There are several mixed ideas and beliefs associated with estate planning that prevent people from pursuing a plan and protecting their futures. Sidestepping some of the most common myths we’re about to share will help you avoid missteps or costly mistakes down the road and give you the needed confidence to start planning your future. It is untrue that:

• Estate plans shouldn’t or can’t be updated: Life changes all of the time. Estate plans should be reviewed regularly and updated after major life events like death, divorce, remarriage, and more.
• A will is the only legal tool you need: A will is one tool, but not the only one. Wills are subject to probate as they must be authenticated first.
• It’s all about material possessions or money: Your estate also includes plans for minor children, and your estate plan will designate who you want to care for your children when you’re gone.
• It’s time-consuming: Good, experienced estate planning attorneys will make the process quick, easy, and seamless, from building a plan to filing all of the necessary paperwork.
• You need to be a certain age to plan your estate: You’re never too young to think about and plan for your future.
• You need to be wealthy: If you have young children and growing assets or personal belongings you want your family to inherit, an estate plan might be right for you.

Our estate planning attorneys will arm you with needed guidance and counsel around asset protection, help you navigate the unknown, and assist you in gaining needed clarity and confidence when planning your estate.

How do I prepare for Estate Planning?

Preparing for an estate planning session is a lot like planning for tax filing. There’s some initial prep work and assembling of documents in order to execute properly.

When you’re ready to meet with one of our estate planning attorneys, we recommend these initial steps to make the process a little quicker and more seamless, from start to finish:

• Create a basic list of end-of-life goals, considerations, and possible wishes and directives
• Have a list of questions at the ready to help ensure a productive, working session
• Assemble a list of debts
• Itemize any inventory
• Bring paperwork on insurance policies
• Bring documentation for titles, pensions, and retirement accounts
• Bring any other financial information
• Make a note of any special planning needs
• Have an idea of beneficiaries you would like to name
• Have an idea of how you’d like an estate planning attorney to help you

This discovery process is helpful to our estate planning attorneys, as we might uncover details or opportunities you hadn’t considered. Perhaps you don’t have full ownership over a certain asset, or your family members have specific goals they want to be included and incorporated in your final estate plan. We can help you determine these aspects that you may not have thought about.

We can work through nuisances, challenges, and details that will help the Hatchett Law Firm, PLLC build the right estate plan for you and create the right foundation, free of unnecessary obstacles or burdens that might cause problems down the road.

When Should I Use an Estate Planning Lawyer?

If you just got married, started a business, bought a property, or had another similar life event, you should consider using the services of The Hatchett Law Firm, PLLC to help you create an estate plan that supports your growing and evolving lifestyle.

Our estate planning attorneys will help you plan your estate, execute your plan according to your last wishes, and defend your Texas estate in probate court, should there be any legal tie-ups.

Take comfort in knowing when you partner with us, our passion, purpose, and firsthand industry experience will help you satisfy your goals and overcome legal hurdles. We will pinpoint any areas of risk and prepare, create, and manage all of the necessary legal documents to protect you, from filing to execution of your estate plan. Our involvement includes:

• Creating a will
• Setting up a trust
• Accommodating special cases like special needs planning or directives to physicians
• Establishing transfer on death deeds
• Designating beneficiaries
• Naming a guardian for children or vulnerable adults
• Establishing a durable power of attorney and medical durable power of attorney
• Pointing out strategies to reduce or avoid estate tax, altogether

If you want to protect your future and your family, lean on The Hatchett Law Firm, PLLC. We are committed to understanding you and what goals or results you’re after and will leave you with a clear understanding of how we can help you get there. Book a free consultation with one of our experienced estate planning attorneys to discuss your estate planning needs today: 281-214-6541.