Harker Heights Estate Planning
It is never too early to speak with an attorney about estate planning. While many people do not want to think about what will happen to their estates and assets after they pass on, it is a necessary part of life.
With the right estate planning lawyers, mapping out the future of your estate and assets does not have to be a hassle. For decades, Ted Smith has assisted people throughout Texas communities with both simple and complex estate planning. Our team is compassionate about your life and legacy and understands the emotional connection many people have with their estates.
Bring any existing will, deed, or beneficiary form. If nothing exists yet, that is normal. Most planning starts from zero.
Whether you need help with wills, trusts, powers of attorney, or other elements of estate planning, Ted Smith Law Group can serve your needs with competent, trustworthy care. When you embark on an estate planning session, you need the help of someone who has a firm understanding of Texas's complex estate services and other related legalities.
Just as every life is different, every estate plan looks different. However, there are a few general items yours should cover. You must name who your belongings will go to after your death, but strong estate planning extends well beyond just this. You should also name a guardian if you have minor children and a successor to take over family businesses.
Plan for the possibility of becoming disabled before you die. Your estate plan should include instructions for your healthcare if you cannot make decisions, including resuscitation, donating organs, and end of life decisions.
Estate planning should not be something you do once in your life. As your life changes, you need to consistently update your estate plan to include new additions to the family, new assets you acquire, and other significant changes. The most important thing to remember is that you should feel confident about your estate plan and trust your lawyer.
If your estate includes high-value assets, you may require targeted planning that assesses your specific needs. Our firm is happy to sit with clients individually to create a targeted plan. When you have goals you want to achieve with your estate plan, we will help you make them a reality.
The planning conversation usually starts with practical family and property questions.
Clarify who acts, who receives property, and whether a trust conversation is needed.
Discuss who may need authority if illness, deployment, or age makes action harder.
Plan around blended families, minor children, special-needs concerns, or vulnerable beneficiaries.
Review plans after deaths, marriages, divorces, moves, new property, or major life changes.
Ted Smith was an active duty JAG legal assistance officer with III Corps at Fort Hood, Texas before he opened his private practice in Killeen in 1976. Since then he has represented thousands of Central Texans by providing solutions to their legal needs.
“Ted Smith and his legal assistants Carol and Crystal are highly recommended.”
Wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and the questions in between. The first conversation sorts what your family actually needs, nothing more.
