Estate Planning

Estate Planning Lawyer in Colleyville, TX

Serving Clients throughout Grapevine, & Tarrant County

Estate planning is geared toward asset protection, whether safeguarding a legacy to pass on to heirs or providing adequate care for the elderly in their later years. A skilled asset protection lawyer can advise you, tailoring financial instruments and legal approaches to meet your needs. At the Law Offices of Kate Smith, PLLC, I offer comprehensive legal help with all aspects of estate planning and administration. My firm has been serving individuals and families throughout our area since 2005 and our team is fully prepared to listen to your individual needs and objectives, so that I can create a customized estate plan for you or provide the guidance you need to efficiently administer an estate through probate.

Learn more about how I can help by contacting the Law Offices of Kate Smith, PLLC at 817-479-0534 or through the online consultation request form.

Estate Planning and Why You Need It

One of the most common omissions of financial planning is the lack of an estate plan. No one likes to contemplate the possibility of mental or physical incapacity or death. However, no one lives forever and, without planning ahead of time, your property and assets can wind up in extensive and costly court procedures. If you die “intestate,” meaning without a will, the assets and property you leave behind will be subject to state rules and the decisions of a judge who will have no understanding of your wishes. Your property and possessions could also become the subject to confusion and dispute by family members and others. A valid estate plan will make your wishes known and allow your estate to be passed on to your named heirs and beneficiaries faster and easier.

Estate planning involves various legal instruments designed to accomplish certain tasks regarding your property and assets, the medical care you wish to have or not have in the event of a serious illness or injury, and the designation of a trusted person to handle your financial affairs when you cannot.

These instruments can include or provide instructions for:

• A last will and testament as well as other types of wills
• A living will and advance medical directive outlining the medical procedures you wish to have or avoid, such as life support, and naming someone to make medical decisions for you should you be unable to express yourself
• Powers of Attorney, such as a Durable Power of Attorney authorizing your named person to make financial decisions on your behalf should you become incapacitated
• Revocable and irrevocable trusts which provide further legal instructions regarding the distribution of property and assets
• The designation of beneficiaries for such accounts as life insurance policies, 401(k) plan assets, etc.
• Guardianship designations and inheritance managers for minor children

While estate planning may seem to be only for the very wealthy, anyone can benefit. Almost everyone has an estate, which includes all of your assets and property, such as homes, other property, vehicles, bank accounts, personal belongings, collections, art, jewelry, stock portfolios, and more. Without planning, these assets could be distributed by a probate court in ways you never would have wanted.

Probate Administration

At the Law Offices of Kate Smith, PLLC, we also represent clients in estate administration after a party has deceased. If you have been named the personal representative or executor of an estate which must be probated, you may need practical and experienced legal guidance in order to avoid mistakes that could be costly. Attorney Kate Smith can help with this, which includes probating a will, trust representation, and distribution of property.

Get experienced legal assistance for all of your estate and probate needs. Call 817-479-0534.