Wills & Estate Planning
Last Will and Testament
The purpose of a Last Will is to leave clear instructions on how to pass on your property and finances to family members and friends.
Codicils
A Codicil is a document that amends your Last Will and Testament, meaning you can use it to make changes to your existing Will. Codicils allow you to update, add, or remove provisions within your Will which helps keep your estate plan up to date.
Transfer on Death Deed
A Transfer on Death Deed is a simple way to transfer real estate to someone else after you die. With a properly recorded Transfer on Death Deed, no probate is needed to transfer the real property. Probate can be lengthy and expensive, with attorney fees and court costs paid from your estate. With a Transfer on Death Deed, you can avoid probate and decide in advance who should inherit your real property interest.
Transfer a Motor Vehicle After Death: Designation of Beneficiary
Most people think that they can simply give the car keys to the person they want to have the car when they die. Unfortunately, it isn’t that easy. Until recently, the only way to legally transfer title to a car after the owner died was to go through probate court, which often costs more than the car is worth. Now, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles has created the Beneficiary Designation of a Motor Vehicle form, which tells the Texas DMV who the owner wants the car to go to and avoid going through probate.
End of Life Plans
An End-of-Life Plan outlines your wishes for your remains and any memorial services and a Last Will describes how your assets will be distributed. While you do not need a Last Will in order to create an End-of-Life Plan, both documents are part of a well-rounded estate plan.
Advanced Directives to Physicians / Living Will
The Directive to Physicians is sometimes called a “living will.” It states your wishes about withdrawing or withholding life-sustaining procedures if your condition is terminal or irreversible and death is imminent.
HIPPA Authorization
A HIPPA Authorization authorizes the release of a patient’s medical and health information to another physician, individual, or organization.