Estate Planning Attorney

We Help Dallas and North Texas Families Plan for the Future

At Warren & Migliaccio, we understand that thinking about passing away or incapacitation can feel morbid, uncomfortable, and overwhelming. Estate affairs usually only come at the most stressful times in life – death or severe disability. However, by working with an estate planning attorney to put an estate plan in place, you can create the best plan possible for you and your family and save them the pain and stress of worrying about your estate. 

We work with individuals and families throughout DFW, North Texas, and the state to develop tailored estate plans that meet their needs and goals.  We aim to make the estate planning process as straightforward and stress-free as possible. Our Dallas estate planning lawyers can guide you through every step of the process and give you peace of mind that your affairs are in order and your wishes will be honored. 

Estate Planning Is for Everyone

Several common misconceptions about estate planning can lead people to delay or avoid creating a plan. Many people believe estate planning is only a concern for the wealthy or older people. However, estate planning is about much more than asset distribution. It is a valuable process for individuals from all walks of life.

At Warren & Migliaccio, we aim to clear up these misunderstandings and show how estate planning can benefit anyone, regardless of age or wealth. A few key reasons why estate planning can be beneficial for anyone include:

• Protecting minor children. With an estate plan, you can designate a guardian for your minor children in the event of your death, ensuring your children will be raised by someone you trust. Without an appointed guardian in your estate plan, the court will use state guidelines to decide who will care for your children if something happens to you.
• Protecting pets. Estate planning allows you to set up a plan for your pets in the event of your death or incapacitation. For example, you can designate caregivers, leave care instructions, and allocate funds to care for your pets.
• Addressing medical decisions. Estate plans allow you to make decisions for end-of-life care or healthcare in the event of incapacitation. They also allow you to designate someone to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you are incapable of making them yourself. 
• Distributing assets. Estate planning lets you specify how your assets and property should be distributed and to whom. For example, assets may include your home, real estate, bank accounts, vehicle, and other personal property with monetary or sentimental value. Without a plan, the state will distribute your assets using intestacy laws, which may not align with your wishes.  

Estate planning is a proactive approach to organizing your financial and personal affairs, ensuring your wishes are honored, and your loved ones are taken care of according to your goals.

Our Texas Estate Planning Services

Each estate planning tool has advantages and limitations. Because of this, we recommend a comprehensive approach to estate planning. Depending on your needs and goals, we can create an estate plan that works best for you and your family. 

At Warren & Migliaccio, we offer three levels of estate planning services to meet your needs: White Glove, Everything but the Execution, and Estate Plan Express. If you are ready to start your estate plan but are unsure which service is right for you, do not hesitate to contact us for a consultation. 

White Glove

White Glove is for individuals and families in the DFW area who want comprehensive estate planning solutions and complete support from their attorney. From the initial consultation through document execution, we provide hands-on support through every aspect of the process. 

Our White Glove service includes the following benefits:

• Planning meeting with attorney Morgan Gill
• Custom estate plan that meets your needs and goals
• Estate planning documents drafted and reviewed by our attorney
• Signing meeting to review and execute your estate planning documents
• Instructions from our attorney about how to fund your trust, if applicable
• Free document revision for one year to ensure your estate plan continues to meet your needs (does not include converting to a different plan)

Learn about the client journey and estate planning documents you can expect when you retain our firm for your estate plan. 

Everything but the Execution

Our Everything but the Execution service caters to individuals with busy and unique schedules and individuals living outside the DFW area. Like our White Glove service, you get personalized attention and comprehensive estate planning solutions from our experienced lawyer. However, our hands-on support ends after we draft, review, and provide your estate planning documents.

You get the assurance that your estate plan meets your and your family’s needs and is prepared by a licensed Texas estate planning lawyer. However, you must execute the documents with a notary at your convenience. Depending on your estate planning documents, you may also need witnesses.

Our Everything but the Execution service includes the following benefits:

• Planning meeting with attorney Morgan Gill
• Custom estate plan that meets your needs and goals
• Estate planning documents drafted and reviewed by our attorney
• Instructions from our attorney about how to legally execute your estate planning documents by yourself
• Instructions from our attorney about how to fund your trust, if applicable
• Free document revision for six months to ensure your estate plan continues to meet your needs (does not include converting to a different plan)

Estate Plan Express

Estate Plan Express is our law firm’s convenient online will service. If you need a simple, affordable, and effective estate plan that meets your needs, this service may be right for you. It offers a flat-fee will package that includes the following documents: 

• Last will and testament
• Medical power of attorney
• Financial power of attorney
• HIPAA release

We handle the entire process online, so it is ideal for individuals who know their goals and do not need hands-on support. Our Estate Plan Express service includes the following benefits: 

• Access to our online estate planning portal and questionnaire
• Estate planning documents drafted and reviewed by our attorney
• Instructions from our attorney about how to legally execute your estate planning documents by yourself
• Free document revision for six months to ensure your estate plan continues to meet your needs (does not include converting to a different plan)

Are you ready to start your online will in Texas? Get started on our online will preparation website.

Estate Planning Documents We Offer to Texans

Our experienced Dallas estate planning attorneys provide a wide range of estate planning tools for your needs and objectives. We can help you with the following:

Last Wills and Testaments

A Last Will and Testament, often just called a will, is a legal document that discusses your estate and states how to distribute your assets after you pass away. A will allows you to do the following: 

• Determine how your assets are distributed after you pass away
• Determine who will receive your assets after death
• Designate an executor to oversee and administer your estate
• Designate guardianship for your minor children
• Avoid Texas intestate succession laws

On the other hand, a last will does not:

• Avoid probate
• Keep your affairs private
• Accommodate funds for minors
• Go into effect until death, so it is not valid in the event of incapacitation
• Leave certain kinds of property, such as jointly owned property, property with beneficiary designations, and pensions or retirement plans
• Specify medical wishes

Related: 

• When Should I Get a Will Made in Texas?
• What Happens if You Die Without a Will in Texas?

Revocable Living Trusts

A trust is a legal arrangement where you transfer assets to the trust to be managed by a trustee. Unlike a will, most trusts can take effect when created and funded. You can use them to manage and distribute assets during your lifetime and after your death.

There are many types of trusts to help you protect your assets and your family. However, the most common type we help our clients with is a revocable living trust.

Revocable living trusts allow you to maintain control over your assets during your lifetime. You have the flexibility to change or dissolve the trust at any time. Upon your death, the assets within the trust avoid the probate process, allowing a more efficient transfer to your beneficiaries.

Beyond keeping control of your assets and avoiding probate, there are many other benefits to creating a revocable living trust. Examples of these benefits include:

• Privacy, because trusts are not part of public record
• Valid in the event of incapacitation
• Appointing a successor trustee to oversee and administer your estate
• More control and flexibility over how and when assets will be transferred to beneficiaries

However, like a will, trusts have their limitations, too. Trusts only deal with assets that have been transferred into the trust. They do not allow you to designate guardianship for minor children. They also do not allow you to direct medical treatment or provide medical power of attorney. You should set these up separately with the help of an estate planning lawyer. 

Related: 

• 9 Reasons You Need a Revocable Living Trust in Texas
• Making and Funding a Living Trust in Texas

Other Ways We Help North Texans With Estate Planning

In addition to wills and revocable living trusts, we also help with the following documents:

• Financial power of attorney. A financial power of attorney allows you to appoint someone you trust to make financial decisions on your behalf if you cannot do so yourself. 
• Medical power of attorney. A medical power of attorney allows you to appoint someone you trust to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you cannot do so yourself.
• HIPAA release. A HIPAA release allows your loved ones or people you trust to request and access your protected medical information. 
• Advance healthcare directive. A healthcare directive, also known as a living will, allows you to specify your wishes for end-of-life care in advance. 
• Declaration of guardian. A declaration of guardian allows you to appoint a guardian for your minor children in the event of incapacitation or death to both biological parents.
• Transfer on death deed. A transfer on death deed (TODD) allows you to designate beneficiaries for your real estate properties to transfer upon death.

Our Dallas Estate Planning Lawyers Serve All of North Texas

Warren & Migliaccio is proud to serve clients throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area and North Texas from our offices in Dallas and Richardson. Our estate planning lawyers help individuals and families with their estate planning needs in the following counties and cities:

• Collin County: Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Allen, Murphy, and Anna
• Dallas County: Dallas, Irving, Garland, DeSoto, and Farmers Branch
• Denton County: Denton, Lewisville, Little Elm, The Colony, Corinth, and Highland Village
• Rockwall County: Rockwall, Fate, and McLendon-Chisolm
• Tarrant County: Fort Worth, Arlington, North Richland Hills, Euless, Bedford, and Keller
  

Why Is Hiring an Estate Planning Lawyer Important?

An estate planning lawyer is essential to creating a plan for your family after death. While DIY estate planning tools may seem convenient and cost-effective, even minor mistakes can lead to severe consequences, such as accidental disinheritance, family disputes, significant tax liabilities, or even the invalidation of the entire estate plan.

At Warren & Migliaccio, we have extensive experience in estate planning. We adhere to a core philosophy of personal responsibility and provide superior legal counsel to advise you during even the most difficult moments when you need it most. An attorney from our firm can help you avoid these pitfalls and develop an estate plan that is comprehensive, legally sound, and custom to your unique needs and objectives. 

Some of the ways we help include but are not limited to:

• Custom estate planning. Every individual’s situation is unique. We can create a plan that fits your needs and goals. No matter how complex your situation, we can help you address it in your estate plan. We also help update outdated estate plans to ensure they are current and reflect your life changes, like marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child.
• Legal compliance. Our estate planning attorneys in Dallas have a comprehensive understanding and application of Texas estate planning laws. We can ensure your estate plan is legally sound and stays up to date with changing state laws, minimizing the risk of invalidation, legal challenges, or disputes after your death.
• Limit estate taxes. A Dallas estate planning attorney can use various tools and strategies to minimize the impact of estate taxes. For example, strategies may include setting up trusts, charitable donations, and structuring asset ownership to reduce the taxable estate.

When you work with us, we work to reduce stress and frustration wherever possible, especially during the emotionally charged times after the death of a loved one. We ensure that your affairs are taken care of and that your wishes for your estate are honored and fulfilled.

Set Up Your Estate Plan Today

Our experienced estate planning attorneys are ready to help you create an estate plan that meets your needs and goals. During a consultation, we can discuss your situation, answer your legal questions, and discuss how we can help you. Call us at (888) 584-9614 or contact us online to start planning your estate today.