Planning ahead isn’t always at the top of your mind, but it should be when it comes to your family and assets. Estate planning allows you to protect what matters most, even when you’re no longer around to speak for yourself. Whether you’re looking to create a will, set up a trust, or just figure out where to start, working with an experienced West Lake Hills estate planning lawyer can take a lot of pressure off your shoulders.
At Smith & Bledsoe Family Law, we help people put solid plans in place every day. We’re not here to push some cookie-cutter document on you—we take the time to listen, ask the right questions, and build a plan that makes sense for your life, not someone else’s. If you’re thinking about estate planning, don’t wait. Call us today at (512) 277-3166 or contact us online for a free consultation with an experienced West Lake Hills estate planning lawyer.
Why You Should Have an Estate Plan
Some people assume estate planning is only for the wealthy or elderly, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. If you have a family, own a home, have a business, or simply want to make sure your money goes where you want it to go, you need a plan.
A well-thought-out estate plan can help:
- Keep your family out of a lengthy probate battle
- Clearly state who gets what
- Name guardians for your kids
- Protect your home and other major assets
- Appoint someone to make healthcare decisions for you if you can’t
- Reduce estate taxes
And maybe most importantly, it gives your loved ones one less thing to worry about when they’re already dealing with grief or uncertainty.
What Our West Lake Hills Estate Planning Attorneys Do
At Smith & Bledsoe Family Law, we know estate planning isn’t one-size-fits-all. Your family, your finances, and what matters most to you all play a role. We’re not just here to crank out paperwork—we’re here to help you put together a plan that actually fits your life.
Wills and Trusts
For most people, the starting point is deciding whether they need a will, a trust, or both. We’ll walk you through your options and help you understand what each one does.
- Last Will and Testament – This document outlines how your property should be distributed after you pass. A last will and testament lawyer helps make sure it’s legally sound and written in a way that avoids confusion.
- Living Trusts – A living trust attorney in Texas can help set up a trust that lets your assets pass to your heirs without going through probate. Trusts also give you more control, especially if you want to delay distributions until your kids are older or have specific needs.
- Revocable vs. Irrevocable Trusts – Revocable trusts offer flexibility, while irrevocable ones are more locked-in but may come with tax benefits. We’ll explain both and help you decide what makes sense.
Whether you’re just getting started or already have something in place, we’re here to simplify the process and help you make confident decisions about your future.
Power of Attorney and Advance Healthcare Planning
Incapacity planning is a monumental component of estate planning. If something happens and you can’t make decisions for yourself, these documents give someone you trust the legal power to act for you.
- Medical Power of Attorney
- Durable Power of Attorney for Finances
- HIPAA Authorization
- Living Will (Directive to Physicians)
A Power of Attorney protects you and your family from going through a court process just to manage your affairs.
Guardianship Planning
If you have young children, naming a guardian is one of your most complicated but necessary decisions. A guardianship attorney in West Lake Hills can guide you through the legal steps and help you think through the practical side of things, like who’s equipped to raise your kids the way you want.
Asset Protection and Wealth Preservation
If you’ve worked hard to build something, it makes sense to protect it. Texas has some strong protections in place, but there are also strategies you can use to keep more of what’s yours safe from lawsuits, creditors, or even family conflict.
Our asset protection lawyers can talk you through options like:
- Gifting strategies
- Family limited partnerships
- Homestead protections
- Retirement account planning
We also help with estate tax planning in Texas, even if you don’t think you’ll hit the federal estate tax limit. Property appreciation, business growth, and inheritance can push you into taxable territory.
Handling Probate and Trust Administration
Even with a great plan, there’s still much to handle after someone passes. We assist families going through the probate process in Texas and help executors and trustees navigate their legal duties.
We help with:
- Filing wills in probate court
- Notifying heirs and creditors
- Distributing property according to the will or trust
- Resolving disputes
- Filing necessary tax documents
If your loved one left a trust instead of a will, we also offer trust administration services so the trustee knows precisely what’s expected.
Business Succession Planning
If you own a business, your estate plan should include what happens to that business. Without a plan, your family might be left trying to sell it quickly or run it without knowing your wishes.
At Smith & Bledsoe Family Law, we help small business owners create succession plans that fit their long-term goals. That might mean passing it to a family member, preparing it for sale, or appointing someone to take over. Whatever your plan, we make sure it fits in with the rest of your estate strategy.
Common Questions About Estate Planning
We get a lot of questions about wills, trusts, and estate planning, so we’ve broken down some of the most common ones.
Do I need a will if I don’t have many assets?
Yes. Even if you don’t consider your estate significant, a will can make a big difference for your loved ones. It helps avoid confusion, delays, and disputes after you pass. Without a will, Texas law decides who inherits your property—and it might not be who you would have chosen. A simple will ensures your wishes are clear and legally recognized.
What’s the difference between a will and a trust?
A will only goes into effect after you die and typically goes through probate, a public court process that can take months. On the other hand, a trust takes effect as soon as it’s created and allows your assets to pass to your heirs privately, without court involvement. Trusts also give you more flexibility and control—like delaying distributions until a child turns a certain age or meets specific milestones.
Can I just use an online template?
Technically, yes—but it’s risky. Online forms are one-size-fits-all and often fail to reflect Texas-specific laws or your personal situation. A small mistake or vague wording can cause significant issues later on. Having a local attorney draft your documents helps prevent those costly errors.
How often should I update my estate plan?
It is wise to review your plan after major life changes—marriage, divorce, childbirth, buying a home, or inheriting assets—but also check in every few years to make sure everything still fits.
What happens if I become incapacitated without a power of attorney?
Your family may have to go to court to be appointed as your guardian. That process takes time, costs money, and can be emotionally draining. Having powers of attorney for finances and healthcare in place avoids all that and gives the people you trust the ability to act on your behalf.
Do you still have questions? We’re happy to discuss your specific situation and help you determine what makes the most sense for you and your family.
Why Work with Smith & Bledsoe Family Law?
We’re not just here to fill in the blanks on a form. Estate planning is personal, and we take it seriously. Here’s why folks in West Lake Hills and the surrounding area trust us with these crucial decisions:
- We Listen – This isn’t just about legal documents. It’s about understanding your priorities, your family, and your worries.
- We’re Local – We know Texas estate planning laws inside and out and are familiar with the issues families here face.
- We Keep Things Simple – We’ll simplify complicated legal concepts into logical language. No jargon.
- We Handle the Big Picture – Because we also practice family law, we know how divorce, custody, and other life changes impact your estate plan. We’re thinking three steps ahead, so you don’t have to.
Our goal is ultimately to give you peace of mind—knowing that everything is taken care of and the people you love are protected. Our estate planning lawyers in West Lake Hills can help with your estate case.
Let’s Talk About Your Future
You don’t need to have everything figured out to get started—most people don’t. That’s where we come in. We’ll sit down with you, discuss your goals and concerns, and help you create a plan that gives you peace of mind.
At Smith & Bledsoe Family Law, estate planning is one of the most important things you can do for your family. Whether you’re starting from scratch or updating an existing plan, our estate planning attorneys in West Lake Hills here to make it easier.
Contact us to schedule a consultation or learn more about our estate planning services. It doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Let’s take the first step together, call us at (512) 277-3166.