Estate Planning Attorneys in Houston Protecting Your Legacy and Loved Ones

There’s a general misconception that only the wealthiest of individuals need an estate plan to legally protect their assets after they’re gone. Others believe they’re too young to think about an estate plan or that only the “bigger ticket items” warrant protection.

These myths are likely part of the reason nearly 50 to 60 percent of Americans don’t have a will or estate plan in place. That’s a lot of unprotected assets at stake the court can take control of.

The heart of the matter is if you have spent your entire life building a family and a lifestyle, you have valuable people, earned assets, and resources you should safeguard with the help of our experienced Houston estate planning attorneys.
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An estate plan is designed to protect your minor children in the event of your passing, in addition to your personal possessions, properties, and money.

Estate planning attorneys with The Hatchett Law Firm, PLLC can help you create a surefire estate plan to protect your legacy and your family members’ future and help you understand:

• The benefits, financial and otherwise, of having an estate plan
• How an estate planning attorney can help with the planning process
• Litigation strategies for probate and guardianship matters
• Designing a plan based on your assets and long-term goals

Why Do I Need an Estate Plan?

An estate plan is an effective and legally sound approach to carrying out your final wishes. It determines how your assets will be preserved, managed, and distributed after death.

In short, estate plans allow you to:

• Maintain control of your assets while alive (and after your passing)
• Indicate who should make financial decisions on your behalf in the event you become incapacitated
• Distribute assets responsibly and fairly
• Minimize expenses
• Avoid the probate process
• Prevent conservatorship issues
• Avoid estate taxes

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, power of attorneys, declaration of guardians, and more.

How Can an Estate Planning Lawyer Help Me?

Our estate planning attorneys get involved in the planning of your estate, drafting your estate documents according to your wishes and in adherence with Texas law.

As your partner, we aim to provide sound legal advice and counsel while also helping you determine the best course of action for protecting your assets in the short and long term. Additionally, we also can help you re-direct or course-correct should you already have an estate plan in place that needs more consideration or a revamp.

Using firsthand industry expertise, we help you minimize risk, prepare, create, and file the necessary legal documents, as well as provide management of:

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

The all-encompassing and proactive approach we take at The Hatchett Law Firm, PLLC to protect your assets and plan your estate affords your family a risk-free path to inheriting your assets free and clear.

What Should I Avoid in Estate Planning?

Half of the population is unknowingly walking around right now, risking their hard-earned assets and family’s future without an estate plan in place. While we can’t control death, we can control how we plan for it with sound choices that make the burden a little lighter for our families. Your family should be spending time grieving you, not arguing over your things.

Just as there are “do’s” of planning your estate, our Houston estate planning lawyers can help you avoid some major “don’ts” that might cost your family money and unnecessary heartache down the road:

• Avoid procrastination: It’s never too soon to plan for your future. Get comfort and security from tackling estate planning head-on and protecting your livelihood.
• Don’t forget about outdated wills and forms: Life changes all the time. Make a plan to routinely check in with your estate planning attorney to update any outdated forms.
• Assuming a will is the only legal document you need: A will is an important tool in outlining some of your basic end-of-life decisions. Wills, unlike trusts, must go through probate court to be authenticated, so having a trust and other ironclad legal documents may save you from costly court processes.
• Not naming more than one beneficiary: Be sure to name an alternative (or two) executor for your will or trust. If your first-named executor is no longer available to execute your estate plan, the court could name one for you.

From estate planning documents to cost-effective options for your lifestyle and needs, The Hatchett Law Firm, PLLC can be your go-to advisor as you navigate one of life’s greatest challenges.

How Do I Book a Free Estate Planning Session?

We understand that every person is in a different stage of end-of-life planning and determining the best course of action for themselves and their families. We understand the process and respect and empathize with you.

Take comfort in knowing that when you partner with Hatchett Law Firm, PLLC you have a dedicated team committed to understanding you, the goals or results you’re after, and how we can help you get there. We’re in your corner, always.

With a passion and purpose that drives our proven success, we’ve empowered hundreds of individuals, families, and business owners in the last 30 years to make the best choices for their lifestyles and current situations. We leverage our resources, experience, and knowledge to accomplish your goals and overcome legal hurdles and challenges with estate planning services, probate, litigation, and more.

If you’re looking for guidance in creating a will, a trust, or a comprehensive estate plan, we invite you to consider The Hatchett Law Firm, PLLC. We deeply value the attorney-client relationship and serving the needs of our clients and their loved ones with strategic and valuable legal counsel from the moment you call us or set foot in the door.

Reach out to our firm and book a free planning session today with an experienced estate planning attorney: 281-214-6541.