austin estate attorney

Facebook

LinkedIn

Copyright 2020 Todd A. Wilson.
All Rights Reserved. Developed and maintained by Platinum Vue Studio

9:00 - 17:00

Business Hours Mon - Fri

512-827-9212

FREE Consultations

Facebook

Search
Menu
 

Trusts

Texas Estate Planning: Will vs Trust (& What Most People Get Wrong)

Texas Estate Planning: Will vs Trust (& What Most People Get Wrong) | Estate Planning Attorneys Austin

A Clear, Practical Breakdown of Wills vs Trusts for Texas Families & Estates

Estate planning isn’t just about deciding who gets what. It’s about making sure your wishes are carried out efficiently, thoroughly, and without unnecessary complications when the time comes. 

With that, some of the most common and crucial considerations for Texans are: 

  1. When to create a will vs a trust
  2. How wills and trusts can be used strategically to protect assets, simplify the transfer of wealth, and ensure their wishes are honored, as intended.

To help you navigate these essential estate planning steps, here’s a clear breakdown of how wills and trusts function under Texas law, detailing:

Choosing the right structure can impact everything from how quickly assets are distributed to how much oversight the court has over an estate. Consequently, understanding these differences can help you avoid costly complications, delays, and potential conflicts later.

Cryptocurrency & Blockchains in Texas Estate Planning

Cryptocurrency & Blockchains in Texas Estate Planning | Estate Planning Attorneys Austin

Key Considerations & Strategies for Digital Assets

Cryptocurrency and other digital assets have moved from fringe investments to common components of modern wealth portfolios. As adoption has grown, so have the legal, tax, and administrative challenges surrounding how these assets should be handled in Texas estate planning.

That’s because, unlike traditional financial assets, cryptocurrency is controlled entirely through digital credentials that exist outside of conventional financial institutions within a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape. 

Without deliberate planning, digital assets may be at a far greater risk of being permanently lost, improperly accessed, or mishandled during estate administration. This guide explains why and:

Understanding these facets of crypto estate planning can be essential to making more informed choices, preserving digital assets, and minimizing preventable losses.

Your New Year’s Estate Planning Checklist

Your New Year’s Estate Planning Checklist | TAW Law Texas

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:

How to Handle Debt After Death

What Happens to Debt after Death in Texas? | Probate Attorneys Austin

Debt, Death & Who Pays the Bills a Decedent Leaves Behind

Debt can be a distressing surprise after losing a loved one. Just like assets left behind, debt after death can become a key part of the probate and estate settlement process. As such, debt after death can impact how an estate is settled and what’s left for the beneficiaries.

Here’s why, answering:

What Paperwork Do You Need When Someone Dies in Texas?

What Paperwork Do You Need When Someone Dies in Texas? | Probate Attorney Austin

A Clear, Practical Guide to Death Certificates, Wills & Other Vital Documents

Few people realize how much paperwork follows a death until they have to deal with it firsthand.

This post-death paperwork is not extra red tape or an exercise in futility. It’s often the legal key to accessing bank accounts, transferring property, and confirming guardianship for dependents.

With that, knowing which documents you need after a loved one passes away can make an overwhelming time far more manageable while ensuring crucial steps aren’t overlooked.

Here’s why, detailing:

How to Simplify Texas Probate for Your Heirs 

How to Simplify Texas Probate for Your Heirs | Probate Attorney

Find Out How to Set Beneficiaries Up for Success & Smoother Transitions

Probate can be wildly different from one case to the next—and it can start to unravel fast when unclear plans, oversights, and conflicting interests are involved. With that, Texas probate can be extended, stressful, and contentious, exemplifying why it has a reputation as a costly, challenging process. 

That doesn’t have to be a foregone conclusion, however. 

You can take steps now to address some major roadblocks and thorny issues, so they don’t complicate probate later. Here’s how, with more on:

This guide highlights key insights in under ~4 minutes.

Beyond the Basics: Critical Questions Financial Advisors Should Ask But Do NOT

Beyond the Basics: Critical Questions Financial Advisors Should Ask But Do NOT | TAW Law Texas

How to Uncover Deeper Insights & Deliver More Optimal Solutions from the Perspective of an Estate Planning & Probate Attorney

Questions can build stronger relationships between financial professionals and their clients. 

Most of the time, however, these questions don’t go far enough. They usually just scratch the surface without unpacking all of the information necessary to uncover the nuances of clients’ needs, hidden risks they could face, and untapped opportunities for better results.

Beyond the numbers, asking about certain relationships, expectations, and investments can unleash all-new insights about: 

  • Current oversights 
  • How to bridge any gaps between existing plans and established financial goals
  • What may really best serve their clients, both in the short- and long-term 

Often, this information doesn’t come to light with typical intake and check-in questions. Instead, it typically takes more pointed questions that most financial advisors are simply NOT asking

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

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:

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.

Are You Ready for the Great Wealth Transfer?

Are You Ready for the Great Wealth Transfer? | Estate Planning Attorney Austin, TX

What You Don’t Know Could Cost You More Than Just Money

Trillions of dollars are going to exchange hands over the next 20 years. That’s not happening in glitzy casinos or on trading room floors. It’s going to occur across generations and within families. Those who aren’t ready could lose out massively when it comes to estate taxes, building generational wealth, and preserving more hard-earned assets for the future. 

They could also be setting the stage for high-stakes misunderstandings and bridge-burning family conflicts that could have been prevented with thoughtful strategies and a few key pieces in play ahead of time.

Here’s why, with a deeper look at:

An Insightful & Practical Guide to Estate Planning for Blended Families in Texas

Blended Family Estate Planning | Estate Planning Attorneys Austin, TX

Avoid Common Pitfalls & Make Better Estate Plans for Non-Traditional Families in Texas

Estate planning for blended families can be uniquely complex, opening up distinct issues and new challenges. With evolving estates, complicated family relationships, and more on the line, blended family estate planning can be vital for those who are serious about preserving legacies, mitigating estate taxes, and providing for their loved ones in the future. 

Because no two blended families — or their estates — are exactly alike, taking a cookie-cutter approach can hinder effective estate planning for blended families in Texas. Instead, personalized strategies are essential to cover your bases and accomplish your objectives. 

Here’s why, with a closer look at: