Estate Planning In Houston
Houston is a large metropolitan area and there is a lot of wealth in the area. Families and individuals have done well for themselves here, and they’ve developed legacies they should be proud of. Families in Houston must turn to an estate planning lawyer to protect all the work, and effort and legacy they’ve built up over their working life.
At Griffin & Cain, Attorney at Law, PC, we’re lawyers working hard for people in Houston. As estate planning lawyers, our goal is to build the estate plan you need to accomplish your long-term goals. Estate planning is an often-neglected process, but we want to help you clear up any misconceptions and be confident in your choices.
What Will Happen To Your Assets Without An Estate Plan
Additionally, without any planning, your estate will likely undergo the maximum impact of estate taxes and probate costs. Claims against the estate will be lengthy and time-consuming. Any size estate that does not have an estate plan creates an inordinate amount of stress and challenge for the heirs and beneficiaries when there is no estate plan.
What Goes Into An Estate Plan?
The documents that make up an estate plan include:
- Advance directives: Your advanced directives explain how you would like to be cared for when you cannot take care of yourself. This could be when you’re incapacitated after an accident or if you undergo mental deterioration due to dementia.
- Last will and testament: This is a major guide for the estate and dictates the deceased’s wishes as well as a list of assets and where they should go.
- Power of attorney: These are documents that empower an individual to make financial and medical decisions for you in case you are incapacitated in some way. This differs from advanced directives, as your power of attorney has broad authority over complex issues that aren’t as simple as a do not resuscitate order.
- Trusts: Trusts are legal entities that can house assets and keep them outside of your estate, allowing those assets to avoid probate and estate taxes.
Largely, estate and gift planning will fall into two categories charitable planning and family gifting. Charitable planning is where you will create a trust to provide funds to a charity of your choice. Alternatively, you could assign a percentage of your estate to a charity, as part of your will.
Family gifting, such as gifting to grandchildren, must happen while you are alive. The law in Texas allows a certain amount of tax-free gifting. How much and how often you can give in this manner is a discussion you can have with us.
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We will provide a complimentary consultation so that you can discuss your issue with us. Get started by calling us or contacting us via email, and we will respond as soon as possible.
A Few Words From Satisfied Clients
From the start, John approached my case with compassion, integrity, and a deep understanding of how high the stakes were for my family. He listened closely, advised me wisely, and fought with heart and determination to ensure that our side of the story was heard. He treated me not just as a client, but as someone whose voice and lived experience mattered deeply.
Throughout this difficult journey, John never wavered. His professionalism, responsiveness, and strategic guidance gave me strength and confidence even in the most uncertain moments. He and his team poured countless hours into preparing a case grounded in truth, love, and the best interests of my granddaughter.
Though the final decision was not what we had prayed for, I will always be thankful for the dignity, support, and relentless effort John and his firm gave to our family. I would recommend him wholeheartedly to anyone seeking strong, ethical, and empathetic representation.
With deep appreciation,
Rhonda Brown
Texas
What stood out the most was his ability to resolve my legal matters in a way that allowed me to continue living my life stress-free. Knowing he had everything under control gave me such peace of mind. He was always available to answer my questions and made me feel like a priority every step of the way.
If you’re looking for a reliable, communicative, & skilled attorney, I wholeheartedly recommend John Herbig! He made a difficult situation so much easier to navigate, and I’m truly grateful for his work. Thank you John!
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