Texas Estate Planning Attorney

We Help Texas Families Plan for the Future

At Warren & Migliaccio, we understand that thinking about death or incapacitation can feel uncomfortable and overwhelming. Estate affairs usually come up at the most stressful times in life – death or severe disability. By working with a Texas estate planning attorney, you can build a clear plan for your estate and family. An estate plan reduces the pain and stress of worrying about what will happen to your estate.

We work with individuals and families across DFW, North Texas, and the entire state to create estate plans that fit their needs and goals. Our goal is to make the process as straightforward and stress-free as possible. Our estate planning lawyers guide you step by step so you can feel confident that your affairs are in order and your wishes will be honored. 

Why Estate Planning Matters

Estate planning is a proactive way to get your financial and personal affairs organized in advance. An estate plan can ensure your wishes are followed and your loved ones are cared for the way you want.

Several common misconceptions about estate planning can lead people to delay or avoid creating a plan. For example, many people believe estate planning is only a concern for the wealthy or older people. However, estate planning is about much more than asset distribution. In fact, it is a valuable process for individuals from all walks of life.

At Warren & Migliaccio, we work to clear up these myths and show that estate planning helps everyone, no matter your age or income. For example, a few key reasons why estate planning can benefit you include:

• Protecting minor children. In particular, you can name a guardian for your minor children in the event of your death. This ensures your children will be raised by someone you trust. Without appointing a guardian in your plan, the court will follow state guidelines to decide who cares for your children.
• Protecting pets. Estate planning allows you to set up a plan for your pets in the event of your death or incapacitation. For example, you can designate caregivers, leave care instructions, and allocate funds to care for your pets.
• Addressing medical decisions. Estate plans allow you to make decisions for end-of-life care or healthcare in the event of incapacitation. They also allow you to designate someone to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you are incapable of making them yourself. 
• Distributing assets. Estate planning lets you decide how your money and property will be passed down and to whom. For example, assets may include your home, real estate, bank accounts, vehicle, and other personal property with monetary or sentimental value. Without a plan, the state will use intestacy laws to divide your property, which may not match your wishes.  

Related Resource: What Is the Best Age to Start Planning for an Estate in TX?

Key Estate Planning Documents in Texas

Our experienced Texas estate planning attorneys provide a wide range of estate planning tools for your needs and objectives. We can help you with the following:

Last Wills and Testaments

A Last Will and Testament, often just called a will, is a legal document that discusses your estate and states how to distribute your assets after you pass away. A will allows you to do the following: 

• Determine how your assets are distributed after you pass away
• Determine who will receive your assets after death
• Choose an executor to oversee and administer your estate
• Designate guardianship for your minor children
• Avoid Texas intestate succession laws

On the other hand, a last will does not:

• Avoid probate
• Keep your affairs private
• Accommodate funds for minors
• Go into effect until death, so it is not valid in the event of incapacitation
• Leave certain kinds of property, such as jointly owned property, property with beneficiary designations, and pensions or retirement plans
• Specify medical wishes

Related Resources: 

• When Should I Get a Will Made in Texas?
• What Happens if You Die Without a Will in Texas?

Revocable Living Trusts

A trust is a legal arrangement where you transfer assets to the trust to be managed by a trustee. Unlike a will, most trusts can take effect when created and funded. You can use them to manage and distribute assets during your lifetime and after your death.

There are many types of trusts to help you protect your assets and your family. However, the most common type we help our clients with is a revocable living trust.

A revocable living trust allows you to maintain control over your assets while you are alive. You can change or dissolve the trust at any time. Then, upon your death, the assets in the trust avoid the probate process, allowing a more efficient transfer to your beneficiaries.

Along with control and avoiding probate, revocable living trusts offer other benefits, such as:

• Privacy, because trusts are not part of public record
• Valid in the event of incapacitation
• Appointing a successor trustee to oversee and administer your estate
• More control and flexibility over how and when assets will be transferred to beneficiaries

However, like a will, trusts have their limitations, too. Trusts only deal with assets that have been transferred into the trust. They do not allow you to designate guardianship for minor children. They also do not allow you to direct medical treatment or provide medical power of attorney. You should set these up separately with the help of an estate planning lawyer. 

Related Resources:

• 9 Reasons You Need a Revocable Living Trust in Texas
• Making and Funding a Living Trust in Texas
• Top Benefits of a Trust Based Estate Plan
• How Long Does it Take to Set Up a Trust in Texas?
• At What Net Worth Do I Need a Trust in Texas?

Other Ways We Help Texans With Estate Planning

In addition to wills and revocable living trusts, we also help with the following documents:

• Financial power of attorney. A financial power of attorney allows you to appoint someone you trust to make financial decisions on your behalf if you cannot do so yourself. 
• Medical power of attorney. A medical power of attorney allows you to appoint someone you trust to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you cannot do so yourself.
• HIPAA release. A HIPAA release allows your loved ones or people you trust to request and access your protected medical information. 
• Advance healthcare directive. A healthcare directive, also known as a living will, allows you to specify your wishes for end-of-life care in advance. 
• Declaration of guardian. A declaration of guardian allows you to appoint a guardian for your minor children in the event of incapacitation or death to both biological parents.
• Transfer on death deed. A transfer on death deed (TODD) allows you to designate beneficiaries for your real estate properties to transfer upon death.

Our Texas Estate Planning Services

Each estate planning tool has advantages and limitations. Because of this, we recommend a comprehensive approach to estate planning. Depending on your needs and goals, we can create an estate plan that works best for you and your family. 

At Warren & Migliaccio, we offer three levels of estate planning services to meet your needs:

• White Glove
• Everything but the Execution
• Estate Plan Express

Compare Our Estate Planning Packages

Are you ready to start your estate plan but are unsure which service is right for you? If so, do not hesitate to contact us for a consultation. 

White Glove

White Glove is for individuals and families in the DFW area who want comprehensive estate planning solutions and support. From your first meeting through document execution, we provide hands-on support through every step of the process.

Our White Glove service includes the following benefits:

• Planning meeting with attorney Morgan Gill
• Custom estate plan that meets your needs and goals
• Estate planning documents drafted and reviewed by our attorney
• Signing meeting to review and execute your estate planning documents
• Instructions from our attorney about how to fund your trust, if applicable
• Free document revision for one year to ensure your estate plan continues to meet your needs (does not include converting to a different plan)

Learn about the client journey and estate planning documents you can expect when you retain our firm for your estate plan. 

Everything but the Execution

Our Everything but the Execution service caters to people with busy and unique schedules and those living outside the DFW area. Following our White Glove service, you get personalized attention and comprehensive estate planning solutions from our attorney. The difference is that our role ends after we prepare your documents.

You get the assurance that your estate plan meets your and your family’s needs and is prepared by a licensed Texas estate planning lawyer. However, you must execute the documents with a notary at your convenience. Depending on your estate planning documents, you may also need witnesses.

Our Everything but the Execution service includes the following benefits:

• Planning meeting with attorney Morgan Gill
• Custom estate plan that meets your needs and goals
• Estate planning documents drafted and reviewed by our attorney
• Instructions from our attorney about how to legally execute your estate planning documents by yourself
• Instructions from our attorney about how to fund your trust, if applicable
• Free document revision for six months to ensure your estate plan continues to meet your needs (does not include converting to a different plan)

Estate Plan Express

Estate Plan Express is our law firm’s convenient online will service. If you need a simple, affordable, and effective estate plan that meets your needs, this service may be right for you. It offers a flat-fee will package that includes the following documents: 

• Last will and testament
• Financial power of attorney
• Medical power of attorney
• HIPAA release

We handle the entire process online, so it is ideal for individuals who know their goals and do not need hands-on support. Our Estate Plan Express service includes the following benefits: 

• Access to our online estate planning portal and questionnaire
• Estate planning documents drafted and reviewed by our attorney
• Instructions from our attorney about how to legally execute your estate planning documents by yourself
• Free document revision for six months to ensure your estate plan continues to meet your needs (does not include converting to a different plan)

Are you ready to start your online will in Texas? Then, get started on our online will preparation website.

Meet Your Texas Estate Planning Attorney: Morgan Gill

Attorney Morgan Gill focuses her practice on helping Texas families prepare for the future with confidence. She works closely with clients to draft wills, trusts, and powers of attorney that reflect their unique needs and goals.

Morgan understands that estate planning can feel overwhelming, so she makes the process clear and approachable. Her hands-on guidance ensures you know your options and feel supported from start to finish. Whether you need a simple will or a comprehensive estate plan, Morgan provides personalized solutions to give you peace of mind.

We Serve All of DFW, North Texas, and the State

Warren & Migliaccio is proud to serve clients throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area and North Texas from our Richardson office and Dallas office. Our estate planning lawyers help individuals and families with their estate planning needs in the following counties and cities:

• Collin County: Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Allen, Murphy, and Anna
• Dallas County: Richardson, Dallas, Irving, Garland, DeSoto, and Farmers Branch
• Denton County: Denton, Lewisville, Little Elm, The Colony, Corinth, and Highland Village
• Rockwall County: Rockwall, Fate, and McLendon-Chisolm
• Tarrant County: Fort Worth, Arlington, North Richland Hills, Euless, Bedford, and Keller

In addition to serving clients locally in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, we also work with individuals and families across Texas through our Everything but the Execution and Estate Plan Express services. These options make it easy to get a complete estate plan no matter where you live in the state.

Why Work With a Texas Estate Planning Lawyer?

Working with a Texas estate planning attorney gives you peace of mind that your plan is valid, complete, and custom to your needs and wishes. For example, an attorney can help you avoid costly mistakes, reduce conflict, and make sure your wishes are carried out under Texas law. With the right guidance, you can create a plan that protects your loved ones and your legacy.

DIY tools may look easy and affordable, but even minor mistakes can lead to severe consequences. An experienced attorney can ensure you avoid problems, such as:

• Accidental disinheritance
• Family disputes
• Significant tax liabilities
• Invalidation of the entire estate plan

At Warren & Migliaccio, we have extensive experience in estate planning. We adhere to a core philosophy of personal responsibility and provide superior legal counsel to advise you during even the most difficult moments when you need it most. An attorney from our firm can help you avoid these pitfalls and develop an estate plan that is comprehensive, legally sound, and custom to your unique needs and objectives. 

How We Help

Some of the ways we help include but are not limited to:

• Custom estate planning. Every individual’s situation is unique. As a result, we can create a plan that fits your needs and goals. No matter how complex your situation, we can help you address it in your estate plan. We also help update outdated estate plans to ensure they are current and reflect your life changes, like marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child.
• Legal compliance. Our estate planning attorneys in Texas have a comprehensive understanding and application of Texas estate planning laws. We can ensure your estate plan is legally sound and stays up to date with changing state laws, minimizing the risk of invalidation, legal challenges, or disputes after your death.
• Limit estate taxes. A Texas estate planning attorney can use various tools and strategies to minimize the impact of estate taxes. For example, strategies may include setting up trusts, charitable donations, and structuring asset ownership to reduce the taxable estate.

When you work with us, we work to reduce stress and frustration wherever possible, especially during the emotionally charged times after the death of a loved one. We ensure that your affairs are taken care of and that your wishes for your estate are honored and fulfilled.

FAQs: Texas Estate Planning

Set Up Your Estate Plan Today

Our experienced Texas estate planning attorney is ready to help you create an estate plan that meets your needs and goals. During a consultation, we can discuss your situation, answer your legal questions, and discuss how we can help you. Call us at (888) 584-9614 or contact us online to start planning your estate today.