Maybe you have questions about the estate planning process?

What is involved? or Where to get started?

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions
we field from our clients.

Do I need an Estate Plan?

 YES! We strongly believe that all adults need an estate plan. Even if you are ok with your assets passing under the Texas Intestate Succession laws (more on that, below), an estate plan can expedite the process, spare you unnecessary taxes, and account for situations where your immediate heir predeceases you or is incapacitated. If you have young children, an estate plan has the added benefit of providing future guardianship instructions and the ability to put your children’s inheritance into a trust that protects your kids well into adulthood.

 All estate plans are custom created and are based on your specific needs and goals. That said, the estate plans we prepare often include a will, trust documents, durable statutory powers of attorney (to appoint financial access if you are incapacitated), medical power of attorney (to appoint a person to make health decisions on your behalf if you are incapacitated), guardianship instructions, and more.

 The estate plan process can take as long or short as you need. Once you make the decision to work with the Heights Law Group, we will send you a questionnaire designed to help us determine how best to advise you. After we have reviewed the questionnaire, we will set up a consultation with you to discuss how to best tailor your estate plan to your needs and answer any questions you may have. Many of our clients need more time to think about their preferences and make decisions on the provisions in their will. We can work with your schedule- what matters is making an estate plan that you are comfortable with and gives you peace of mind should the unexpected happen.

Once you make the decision to work with the Heights Law Group, we will send you a questionnaire designed to help us determine how best to advise you.  Part of this questionnaire will ask you for information like:

Your formal name, date of birth, and address

Your spouse, partner, or family member’s names

Your children’s names, dates of birth, addresses

Do you know a family member or person who you would want to name as the executor of your will or the trustee of your trust (for a trust, this can be you)?

Do you know a family member or person who you might want to serve as the guardian of any minor children in case of a catastrophe?

Do you know a family member or  person who you would want to make decisions for you, financially and/or medically, in the event you are incapacitated?

Do you own any property or oil & gas or mineral interests in another state?

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Do not worry.  The attorneys at the Heights Law Group will guide you on what is needed to create the best plan for you.

While the initial meetings can be either in-person or virtual, most clients attend the estate plan signing in person so that we can be sure your paperwork is properly witnessed and notarized. If this presents a problem, we can discuss alternative arrangements such as having a mobile notary visit you at your home or in the hospital. Our goal is to make this process as easy for you as possible, so let us know what you need and we will do our best to make it happen.