Houston Estate Planning Attorney Serving Throughout Harris County, Texas
Leigh B. Meineke Law Firm provides estate planning advice and counsel to clients in Houston, Texas and throughout Harris County. We recognize that every client’s situation is unique, and carefully tailor every estate plan to accomplish our clients’ objectives. We invest the time necessary to get to know our clients, so that we may understand not only the nature and extent of their assets, but also their family dynamics and personal values.
Wills, Trusts & Related Documents
Estate planning is the process of arranging for the efficient and cost-effective transfer of one’s property. At Leigh B. Meineke Law Firm, we emphasize the importance of proactive planning, working with our clients to ensure that their assets will transfer according to their wishes.
Once we understand our clients’ objectives, we prepare the documents necessary to effectively carry out their intentions. A comprehensive estate plan may consist of a combination of documents, including:
- Wills – A will is a written document that leaves an individual’s estate to named persons or entities. Our firm prepares basic wills for our clients, as well as wills with guardianship provisions for minor children and disabled adult children. Depending on the nature and size of an estate, and how assets were titled at the time of death, administration of the estate may require probate of the will. Please refer to our probate page for more information about our services in this area.
- Trusts – A trust holds assets for the benefit of certain persons or entities, with a trustee managing the trust. We create living trusts on behalf of our clients and assist them in properly funding their trusts by preparing deeds and accompanying documents that transfer interests in real property into the name of the trust. There are various types of trusts, including revocable, irrevocable, and charitable trusts; we help clients determine what is most appropriate for their particular needs and goals.
- Powers of Attorney– As part of an inclusive estate plan, we prepare durable financial powers of attorney and advance healthcare directives/durable medical powers of attorney for our clients, so that they may designate a person or persons to manage their financial affairs or to make medical or end-of-life decisions in the event they become incapacitated.
- Living Wills – An important part of any estate plan is a Living Will (also knows as a Directive to Physicians) which details our clients’ wishes regarding medical treatment when they are unalbe to convey their wishes.
No matter the size of an estate, ambiguous transfer documents can lead to questions of intent and give rise to interfamily disputes. With this in mind, we carefully prepare clear and complete estate planning documents, always working to minimize the stress and confusion of estate administration on surviving family members and beneficiaries.
Business Succession Planning
We frequently assist our small business clients with estate planning, and also advise clients when a business is being sold or when a family member is retiring and wants to explore business succession planning options.
Experienced, Personal Estate Planning Services
For over 20 years, we have provided comprehensive estate planning services to our clients. Whether you are seeking to create a will or trust for the first time, have an existing estate plan that needs to be updated or revised, or need assistance with probate administration, please ccontact our estate planning attorney for a complimentary, personalized consultation.
