estate planning and probate law provided by the austin and georgetown texas attorneys at sneed vine and perry

Estate Planning & Probate

The goal of a good estate plan is to make sure that family assets pass as quickly, efficiently, and as inexpensively as possible, and that loved ones with special needs are appropriately cared for.

Sneed, Vine & Perry, P.C.’s estate planning and probate group has more than 80 years of collective experience in Texas probate, estate planning, and trust law, as well as the deep respect of the judges and staffs of Travis, Williamson, and other Central Texas county probate courts.

Estate Planning Tools & Techniques

  • Wills
  • Revocable Living Trusts
  • Irrevocable Trusts
  • Revocable Life Estate Deeds, also known as “Lady Bird Deeds”
  • Gift Deeds
  • Powers of Attorney
  • Medical Powers of Attorney
  • Directives to Physicians, also known as “Living Wills”
  • Declarations of Guardians for individuals and their minor children

Estate Planning Basics

Except in rare cases where a revocable Living Trust may be advisable, having a valid Will is the foundation of a good estate plan. Here are three reasons why you need a Will:

  • Make sure your assets pass according to your wishes. If you die without a Will, your assets will pass to your legal heirs – those persons chosen by the rules of intestate succession set forth in the Texas Estates Code. While it’s possible that these rules comport with your wishes, it is not guaranteed. We can prepare and supervise your execution of a Will to ensure your property passes in accordance with your wishes.
  • Save time and money. Texas probate law makes the probate process – the process by which assets are most commonly transferred to the next generation after a person dies — much simpler, quicker, and less expensive for someone who dies with a Will than for someone who dies without one. As such, money spent now means that more money passes to your loved ones when you’re gone.
  • Protect loved ones who may be young or ill. If you die without a Will, your property will pass directly to your heirs. This is the case even if those heirs are legally or practically incapable of managing that property due to advanced age, minority, or illness. In preparing a Will, we can make sure that property that might go to someone unable to manage it, instead goes to a trustee of your choice who is legally obligated to use such property for your loved one’s health, education, maintenance and support.

Attorneys