Right now you’re making important life decisions.
Maybe you’ve just gotten married, and you’re thinking about starting a family. Maybe you’re about to graduate from college and want to start your own business. Or perhaps you’re just finally getting around to doing your estate planning, and you have no clue where to start.
We’re here for you.
At Stafford Law Firm, we believe in empowering our clients so they can make informed decisions about their futures. We’re here to help you create a plan that reflects your goals, dreams, and values, starting with a free consultation with a Meyerland estate planning attorney today.
Located in southwest Houston, Meyerland is home to 33,299 Houston residents at or around the median age of 36.6. Originally named for the Meyer family, who owned over 6,000 acres in the area, Meyerland has something for everyone. As of 2020, the median household income was $66,440, and over 50% of residents owned their homes.
If you’re researching estate planning in the Meyerland area of Houston, chances are you have much to plan for. Don’t keep putting off your future—reach out to an estate planning lawyer at Stafford Law Firm today.
Estate planning is an ongoing process that sets your loved ones up for success when you’re no longer around. It’s as unique as you are and can include various tools.
Because of that, our team offers comprehensive estate planning services so you can hand-select the tools that make sense for you.
Here are just a few ways we can help.
Wills are a great starting point for your estate plans. In your will, you can designate guardians for minor children, select beneficiaries for your assets, and even dictate your wishes for burial arrangements.
Keep in mind, however, that wills do not provide asset protection, which means they’ll need to be used in conjunction with other estate planning tools to cover all the bases.
Trusts are fiduciary arrangements that allow a third party (trustee) to hold assets on behalf of a beneficiary. When you set up a trust, the trust becomes the owner of those assets and the trustee, the manager, until you pass away or become incapacitated.
Creating a trust allows you to protect those assets from probate and have more autonomy over how and when they’re distributed.
Part of estate planning is planning for the unexpected, like if you become badly injured or sick. In situations like these, your loved ones and doctors will need guidance on what healthcare treatments you want, what life-saving measures you would or wouldn’t prefer, and other decisions.
These aren’t decisions you want your family to have to second-guess about. And when you can’t speak for yourself, healthcare directives allow you to outline your wishes beforehand.
Power of attorney documents allow a third party (agent) to act on your behalf in your absence. If you were temporarily disabled, incapacitated, or taking an extended trip, these documents allow that third party to step in and make important legal, financial, or healthcare decisions for you.
Without these documents, the court could decide who should make these decisions and, depending on the circumstances, end up stripping you of your rights altogether.
Probate is the process of rounding up your final affairs in court. This includes collecting, managing, and distributing your estate. It can be costly and time-consuming, dragging your loved ones back and forth to court to determine what should happen with your estate.
With proper planning, it can be avoided. However, when necessary, surviving loved ones can count on an experienced probate attorney to walk them through the probate process.
Planning your estate is an emotional process. We never want to consider what life would be like without us around. But at Stafford Law Firm, our attorneys can help you plan your estate, protect your assets, and give you peace of mind for the unexpected.
Our other legal services include:
Are you ready to take the next step in planning your estate?
Contact our law offices to schedule a free estate planning consultation today.
Life can get pretty hectic—and it’s easy to put off big decisions. But there are some things you’ve got to get to sooner rather than later. Who knows what the future holds? The only thing you can count on is that things are going to change.
And when they do, so will your legal needs. An estate plan is the best way to deal with the “unknowns” and ensure your family is taken care of no matter what.
Contact a Meyerland estate planning attorney to discuss your needs.
We are here to protect you, your family, and your business. Schedule a free consultation to discuss the best way to protect your future.
An executor of an estate is responsible for carrying out a will during the probate administration process. You can appoint an executor in your will. If you don’t, the state decides for you.
Will and trusts are two types of estate planning tools that deal with asset distribution. Not everyone will need a trust for their estate plans, but unlike a will, they can help you shelter your assets from the probate court, creditors, and estate taxes, keeping more money in your beneficiary’s hands. Talk to a qualified estate planning attorney about what makes sense for you.
Working with a qualified estate attorney is the best way to keep your plans up to date. Major life changes like a new baby, buying a home, or getting married can mean you need to move some things around in your estate plan. Our experienced estate lawyers at Stafford Law Firm can ensure your legal documents are kept up to date.
A regular will, or Last Will and Testament, deals with asset distribution, selecting guardians for minors, and other final wishes. On the other hand, a living will allows you to detail your preferences for future medical treatments in case you become incapacitated. Our estate planning attorneys serving Houston help clients prepare for the unexpected.
