How Jonathan helps
- Wills that name your beneficiaries, executor and guardians for minor children
- Revocable living trusts for privacy, incapacity planning and property in more than one state
- Texas statutory durable powers of attorney for finances
- Medical powers of attorney, directives to physicians and HIPAA releases
- A Declaration of Guardian, so you choose who would serve if a court ever needed to appoint one
- Transfer on death deeds and beneficiary designations that keep assets out of probate
- Reviews and updates of existing plans
What happens if you don’t have a plan?
If you die without a will in Texas, state law decides who inherits. The result often surprises people, especially in blended families. Your family may also need a court proceeding just to prove who your heirs are. If you become unable to manage your affairs without powers of attorney, your family may have to ask a court to appoint a guardian.
How the process works
- Consultation. Jonathan learns about your family, your assets and what matters most to you.
- Design. He recommends the right documents (a will-based plan or a trust-based plan) and quotes a flat fee.
- Drafting and review. You review drafts and ask questions. Nothing is final until it reads right to you.
- Signing. Texas has specific signing, witness and notary requirements. Jonathan handles them so your documents hold up.
- Funding and follow-through. He helps you retitle assets and update beneficiary designations so the plan works as designed.
Why a financial background matters here
A will or trust only controls the assets that actually pass through it. Retirement accounts, life insurance and many bank accounts pass by beneficiary designation instead. Jonathan’s years in financial services mean he looks at the whole picture, so the documents and the accounts tell the same story.
Texas details worth knowing
- Texas is a community property state. What counts as community or separate property affects what you can leave and to whom.
- Texas has no state estate or inheritance tax. Federal estate tax affects only very large estates (the federal exemption is $15 million per person for 2026).
- Texas offers the transfer on death deed, a simple way to pass real estate outside of probate.
- A properly “self-proved” will can make probate faster and simpler for your executor.
What to bring to your consultation
A list of your assets and how they’re titled, any existing wills or trusts, recent account statements showing beneficiaries, and the names of the people you’re considering for key roles.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a will or a trust?
It depends on your family, your property and your goals. Many Texas families do well with a will-based plan; others benefit from a trust. Jonathan will explain the tradeoffs for your situation.
How much does an estate plan cost?
Most estate plans are quoted as a flat fee after the consultation. See Fees & Process for details.
How long does it take?
Most plans are signed within 6 to 8 weeks of the first meeting, depending on how complex the plan is.
How often should I update my plan?
Review it every 3 to 5 years and after any major life event.
Can we meet virtually?
Yes. Consultations and most meetings can be by video. Signings happen in person, with witnesses and a notary. Jonathan does not use remote online notarization. If you can't travel, he can arrange a signing at your home, a hospital or a care facility (travel fees apply).
Ready to put your plan in place? Schedule a consultation.