10 January

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Your New Year’s Estate Planning Checklist

in Business, Estate Planning, Tax Law Changes, Texas Probate, Trusts

A Practical Framework for Aligning Your Estate Plan With Your Life & Goals

A new year creates a natural checkpoint and valuable perspective for estate planning. With that can come clarity on what has changed, what no longer fits, and what may have been overlooked.

After all, estate plans don’t just fail because they have been poorly drafted. They can also fall out of step as laws shift, assets change, and family circumstances evolve. By the time problems start to surface, options tend to be limited, less predictable, and more costly.

This 2026 checklist is intended for Texans who are ready to reassess their estate plan with fresh eyes and a more deliberate lens. It breaks down how to:

Take Inventory of Your Existing Estate Plan.
Account for Life Changes You May Be Underestimating.
Re-Evaluate Executors, Trustees & Agents.
Audit Beneficiary Designations.
Review Asset Ownership & Titling, Not Just Asset Value.
Consider 2026 Law Changes & Planning Opportunities.
Address Digital Assets & Modern Access Issues.
Revisit Incapacity Plans.
Organize, Communicate & Stress-Test the Plan.
Start the New Year With Clarity and Control

15 July

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New Law Raises Estate Tax Exemption to $15M in 2026

Posted by Todd Wilson

in Estate Planning, Legal Advice, Tax Law Changes, Texas Probate

New Law Raises Estate Tax Exemption to $15M in 2026 | TAW Law TX

Get the Facts on the New Estate Tax Changes & What It Could Mean for You in 2026

A new law is set to dramatically shake up how—and how much—wealth is taxed when it’s passed down. Known as “The One, Big, Beautiful Bill” (OBBB), the law will permanently increase federal estate tax exemptions in 2026, raising them to an unprecedented level within six months.

Igniting both strong support and sharp backlash, the OBBB has become a flashpoint in broader debates over taxation and the future of intergenerational estate planning.

Here’s why, diving into:

OBBB: How Estate Tax Exemptions Will Increase in 2026
5 Possible Impacts of Raising Estate Tax Exemptions in 2026
Supporters vs. Critics: Who’s For & Against Raising Estate Tax Exemptions in 2026?
What Does It All Mean for Me?
What’s Next?

03 February

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Do I Need to Update My Estate Plan When I Move?

Posted by Todd Wilson

in Estate Planning, Tax Law Changes, Trusts

Do I Need to Update My Estate Plan When I Move? | TAW Law Texas

Don’t Ignore the Importance of Updating an Estate When Moving

Death and divorce are the only things that can surpass moving when it comes to life’s most stressful events. Anyone who’s ever relocated may agree, especially considering all of the unknowns, expenses, stress, and sheer work that can go into creating a new home in a different city.

Whether you’re moving to Texas, out of Texas, or anywhere else, updating your estate plan probably isn’t one of your top priorities. Depending on the details of your relocation, that could be a mistake.

Here’s why, with an insightful guide discussing:

When to Update Your Estate Plan After a Move
7 Questions to Ask When Updating Your Estate Plan After Moving
What to Review & Consider Updating in an Estate Plan After Moving
How Often Should You Update Your Estate Plan?
What Happens If You Don’t Update Your Estate Plan After Moving?
What You Need When It’s Time to Update Your Estate Plan: 5 Key Resources
A Simpler, More Effective Way to Update Your Estate Plan

This blueprint on how, when, and why to update estate plans when moving can get you up to speed on the essentials in less than ~4 minutes.

24 September

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How to Unlock the Power of Portability: A Guide for Texas Spouses

Posted by Todd Wilson

in Estate Planning, Tax Law Changes, Texas Probate

Portability & Marital Estate Planning | Austin Estate Planning Attorneys

Find Out How & When Portability May Be an Optimal Solution in Marital Estate Planning

Imagine this — you and your spouse spend years carefully planning your estate to try to preserve as much as possible for your beneficiaries. When your spouse passes away, however, you are suddenly left facing unexpected estate taxes, lost assets, and far fewer financial resources than you ever expected.

That unfortunate scenario is a major estate planning fear, and it can be more common than many people realize, especially approaching 2026 when estate tax exemptions are set to decline drastically (July 2025 Update: A new law has permanently raised estate tax exemptions to $15 million in 2026).

With that, surviving spouses could experience far greater challenges after their partners pass while seeing more of their assets siphoned off to estate taxes.

As unsettling as that may be, it’s not inevitable. You can effectively avoid it with a little-known provision called portability.

28 August

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6 Essential Facts About Estate Tax Exemptions Sunsetting in 2026

Posted by Todd Wilson

in Business, Estate Planning, High Pressure, Tax Law Changes, Texas Probate, Trusts

6 Essential Facts About Estate Tax Exemptions Sunsetting in 2026 | Estate Planning Attorney Todd Wilson

The Sooner You’re Aware of the Facts, the Better. Here’s Why.

High stakes and dwindling time have put federal estate tax exemptions in the spotlight, making it an increasingly hot topic that legacy-minded individuals shouldn’t ignore. That’s because 2025 is fast approaching, and it’s set to be the last year for elevated estate tax exemptions.

For many Texans, that could mean millions in available estate tax exemptions are no longer available as of 2026 — and that previous estate plans and strategies may no longer be as effective as they once were. For some, it may also result in new exposures and gut-wrenching estate taxes if key moves and updates aren’t made before 2026 (July 2025 Update: A new law has permanently raised estate tax exemptions to $15 million in 2026).

Elaborating on that, this helpful resource can walk you through the essentials of sunsetting estate tax exemptions, sharing more on:

2026 Federal Estate Tax Changes: 6 Crucial Facts
FAQs About Sunsetting Estate Tax Exemptions in 2026
How to Make Changes Ahead of 2026

Whenever it’s time for more information and personalized answers in a confidential setting, simply contact TAW Law Texas.

23 May

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How to Prepare for Sunsetting Estate Tax Exemptions Before 2026

Posted by Todd Wilson

in Business, Estate Planning, Tax Law Changes, Texas Probate, Trusts

How to Prepare for Sunsetting Estate Tax Exemptions Before 2026 - Austin Estate Planning Attorneys

In Less Than 19 Months, Estate Tax Exemptions Will Likely Change. Are You Ready?

UPDATE (July 2025): A new law has permanently raised estate tax exemptions to $15 million in 2026.

Millions in estate tax exemptions could vanish forever on Jan. 1, 2026. With that, you could lose potential opportunities to mitigate certain estate tax obligations. You may also be unknowingly subjected to higher estate tax rates if you haven’t put the right plans in place before these changes occur.

To avoid these consequences, here are:

6 Steps to Take Before Estate Tax Exemptions Sunset in 2026
8 Essential Questions to Ask & Answer Before 2026
How to Make the 2026 Estate Tax Exemption Changes Work for You

This 3-minute guide shares some simple, yet powerful, strategies for getting your estate ready for major tax law changes coming soon while there’s still time to put judicious plans in place.

Whenever you’re ready for more information or personalized counsel and solutions, simply contact TAW Law Texas.

18 March

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What If You Could Put Your Biggest Estate Planning Fears Behind You?

Posted by Todd Wilson

in Estate Planning, Tax Law Changes, Texas Probate, Trusts

You Can Silence Your Biggest Estate Planning Concerns with Confidence. Here’s How.

When you think about estate planning and your will, what scares or worries you the most?

If you’re like most Americans, you have at least one answer to that question — and facing your mortality isn’t necessarily at the top of the list.

In fact, more often than not these days, estate planning fears are related to nuanced situations, complicated concerns, and ever-evolving uncertainties that can be tricky to navigate.

For many, that’s enough reason to avoid estate planning entirely. For others, fears or anxieties keep them from taking a fresh look at a will or estate plan they created years ago.

Either way, that can feed into more estate planning worries, and it can end up making people’s worst estate planning fears eventually come true.

Here’s why, with a closer look at:

The Top 5 Biggest Estate Planning Fears
How to Identify & Start to Overcome Your Biggest Estate Planning Fears
4 Smart Strategies to Mitigate & Minimize Estate Planning Fears & Concerns
7 Devices to Consider in Prudent Estate Planning
When to Talk to an Estate Planning Lawyer

This guide can help you identify and start working through your estate planning fears while also introducing you to some powerful strategies for keeping them at bay for the long term.

02 January

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Your ILIT Guide: How to Capitalize on ILITs Ahead of 2026

Posted by Todd Wilson

in Estate Planning, Tax Law Changes, Trusts

Your ILIT Guide: How to Capitalize on ILITs Ahead of 2026 - TAW Law TX

More Folks Are Setting Up ILITs & Other Trusts Ahead of 2026. Find Out Why.

Irrevocable life insurance trusts (ILITs) could be uniquely advantageous and offer greater peace of mind if set up before Jan. 1, 2026. That’s because ILITs may provide a more effective way of reducing the value of an estate and preserving life insurance benefits while federal estate tax exemptions remain at their current rates.

Within two years, however, those higher rates could disappear, as lifetime estate tax exemptions are on track to drop by roughly half in 2026 if nothing changes between now and then.

With that, the options for mitigating federal estate taxes and protecting assets like life insurance payouts could be far more limited — and possibly less attractive.

Here’s why, with a closer look:

What Are Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs)?
How Do ILITs Work?
What Assets Can Fund ILITs?
Why Should I Set Up an ILIT Before 2026?
What Should I Consider Before Setting Up an ILIT?
How Can I Find Out More About ILITs?

This ILIT guide explains the ins and outs, pros and cons, and general uses of irrevocable life insurance trusts in less than 3 minutes to get anyone up to speed with this estate planning option.

30 November

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Your IDGT Guide: How to Strategically Use IDGTs Before 2026

Posted by Todd Wilson

in Estate Planning, Tax Law Changes, Texas Probate, Trusts

Your IDGT Guide: How to Strategically Use IDGTs Before 2026 | Estate Planning Lawyer in Austin, TX

Discover How IDGTs Are Helping Some Folks Prepare for Changing Estate Tax Exemptions

Intentionally defective grantor trusts (IDGTs) can be highly effective in preserving, maximizing, and transferring certain assets — especially if you set an IDGT up before Jan. 1, 2026. That’s when lifetime estate tax exemptions could drop drastically, taking millions in available exclusions off the table if federal laws don’t change before Dec. 31, 2025 (July 2025 Update: A new law has permanently raised estate tax exemptions to $15 million in 2026).

With the clock counting down and limited time to take action, there may be no better time than right now to consider an intentionally defective grantor trust.

To help with that, check out these IDGT FAQs, with concise answers from top estate planning lawyers in Austin, TX:

What Are Intentionally Defective Grantor Trusts (IDGTs)?
How Do IDGTs Work?
What Assets Can Fund IDGTs?
Why Should I Set Up an IDGT Before 2026?
What Should I Consider Before Setting Up an IDGT?
How Can I Get More Info About IDGTs?

14 November

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What the SECURE Act 2.0 Means for Retirement Assets & Your Estate Plan

Posted by Todd Wilson

in Estate Planning, Tax Law Changes, Trusts

SECURE Act 2.0 & Your Estate Plan - Austin Estate Planning Lawyer

The Updated Legislation May Raise New Issues for Your Estate Plan. Here’s How.

The SECURE Act 2.0 may have advanced retirement planning in several ways while simultaneously creating new wrinkles and potential disruptions in existing estate plans. From minimum distributions to mandatory withdrawals, the rules for retirement accounts have changed with the SECURE Act 2.0.

Find out what it all means for you and your estate plan by getting up to speed with:

How the SECURE Act 2.0 Builds on the Original SECURE Act
How the SECURE Act 2.0 Enhanced Previous Legislation
The SECURE Act 2.0 & Your Estate Plan
What to Do in Response to the SECURE Act & SECURE 2.0

Areas of Practice

Tax Law Changes

A Practical Framework for Aligning Your Estate Plan With Your Life & Goals

Get the Facts on the New Estate Tax Changes & What It Could Mean for You in 2026

Don’t Ignore the Importance of Updating an Estate When Moving

Find Out How & When Portability May Be an Optimal Solution in Marital Estate Planning

The Sooner You’re Aware of the Facts, the Better. Here’s Why.

In Less Than 19 Months, Estate Tax Exemptions Will Likely Change. Are You Ready?

You Can Silence Your Biggest Estate Planning Concerns with Confidence. Here’s How.

More Folks Are Setting Up ILITs & Other Trusts Ahead of 2026. Find Out Why.

Discover How IDGTs Are Helping Some Folks Prepare for Changing Estate Tax Exemptions

The Updated Legislation May Raise New Issues for Your Estate Plan. Here’s How.