News & Articles

A Special Needs Trust (SNT) helps individuals with disabilities maintain Medicaid eligibility by holding assets outside of their countable resources. There are different types of SNTs, including First-Party, Third-Party, and Pooled Trusts, each serving unique needs. These trusts cover expenses Medicaid doesn’t, like therapies, education, or recreation, while safeguarding government benefits. Setting up an SNT requires careful planning with an estate planning attorney to ensure compliance with Texas and federal laws, making it a valuable tool for protecting your loved one’s financial future.

A First-Party Special Needs Trust is a legal tool that allows individuals with disabilities to protect their own assets, such as settlements or inheritances, while maintaining eligibility for government benefits like Medicaid and SSI. These trusts, managed by a trustee, can fund various expenses that enhance the beneficiary’s quality of life without affecting their benefits. In Texas, setting up a trust requires careful planning and legal guidance to ensure compliance with state and federal rules, including Medicaid payback after the beneficiary’s passing.

Estate planning protects your assets from taxes, creditors, lawsuits, and probate while ensuring a smooth transfer to your loved ones. In Texas, tools like living trusts, homestead exemptions, LLCs, and irrevocable trusts provide strong safeguards. Proper planning also minimizes taxes and prepares for unexpected events like incapacity or long-term care. Working with a Texas estate planning attorney ensures your plan complies with state laws and secures your legacy for the future.

Creating a living trust in Texas typically costs between $2,500 and $5,000 when working with an attorney, with additional fees for notary services, asset transfers, and updates. While DIY options are cheaper, hiring a living trust attorney ensures your trust complies with Texas law and meets your unique needs. A living trust helps avoid probate, provides privacy, and secures your family’s future, making it a worthwhile investment for many Texans.

Creating a living trust in Texas can protect your assets, avoid probate, and make life easier for your loved ones. This guide walks you through the steps, explains the benefits, and helps you avoid common mistakes. Whether you own property, investments, or a small business, a living trust may be ...

Creating a living trust is often seen as a way to avoid family disputes and streamline estate planning. However, while living trusts are harder to contest than wills, they are not immune to challenges. If you're wondering whether a living trust can be contested, the answer is yes—but it's not eas...

Setting up a living trust is an essential step in estate planning. Many Texans wonder how much it costs and whether it's worth it. With flat-fee pricing, the process can be clear and straightforward, giving individuals and families peace of mind without surprises. Here's everything to know about ...

If you're considering a living trust, you might wonder whether it needs to be recorded in Texas. The short answer? No, living trusts are private documents and don't need to be recorded. However, there's more to the story, and understanding the details can help you make informed decisions about yo...

A living trust is one of the most effective tools in estate planning. It helps ensure your assets go where you want, without the headaches of probate. But what happens to a living trust when you pass away? Let's break it down step by step so you know exactly how a living trust survives death. Wh...

When you create a living trust, choosing the right trustee is a big decision. But what if you want two trustees to manage it together? This article explores whether having two trustees is possible, the pros and cons, and what you should consider when deciding. What Is a Living Trust?   A living...

Divorce is a major life event many Americans experience. Some states have laws that automatically revoke an ex-spouse's rights in estate plans once the marriage ends. But what happens if someone dies after filing for divorce but before it's final? Consider the case of Shannen Doherty...

A durable power of attorney is a vital legal instrument for Texans, offering a range of benefits that can provide security and peace of mind. From ensuring the smooth management of financial affairs to safeguarding against potential exploitation, a DPOA plays a critical role in protecting your interests.

With careful planning and knowledge of the tax laws in Texas, you can take steps to minimize estate taxes and ensure that more of your hard-earned assets go to your loved ones. In this blog post, we'll explore several strategies that can help you reduce estate taxes in Texas.

A living trust, also known as a revocable trust or inter vivos trust, is a legal entity that holds your assets during your lifetime and allows for the seamless transfer of those assets to your chosen beneficiaries upon your passing. Unlike a will, a living trust can avoid probate, which is the legal process of distributing a deceased person's assets.

How often should you update your estate plan in Texas? In this blog post, we'll explore the key factors that determine the frequency of estate plan updates in the Lone Star State, including changes in family, finances, wishes and the law.

When it comes to planning for the future, one of the most crucial legal documents you should consider is a will. A will, also known as a last will and testament, is a legal instrument that outlines your wishes for the distribution of your assets and the care of your dependents after your passing....

Estate planning is a crucial step in ensuring that your assets are distributed according to your wishes and your loved ones are taken care of in the event of your passing. Texas, like every state, has its own set of laws and regulations governing estate planning. To navigate this process effectiv...

Introduction Estate planning is a crucial aspect of personal financial management that often gets overlooked until it's too late. It involves creating a comprehensive strategy to manage your assets, wealth, and healthcare decisions during your lifetime and ensuring the smooth distribution of you...

Brazos County estate planning attorney discusses the unique aspects and important considerations to estate planning for women.

Bryan estate attorney discusses the right and wrong way to leave a assets to a minor child in your estate plan.

College Station estate planning lawyer explains the importance of estate planning for first responders according to their unique needs and situation.

College Station Estate Planning Attorney Chris Peterson guides widows on the many aspects that need to be considered and planned for before getting remarried.

Brazos County probate attorney Chris Peterson explains what a pour-over will is and when it might be a helpful part of your estate plan.

Brazos County elder law attorney Chris Peterson explains what you need to know about palliative care for your elderly loved one.

Bryan Elder Law Attorney shares how you can walk the line between helping your elderly loved one and keeping their boundaries.