Estate Planning

Estate Planning Lawyer in Houston 

For knowledgeable representation and responsive client service in estate planning, come to the law firm of McCulloch & Associates in Houston. Lead attorney Thomas W. McCulloch has been helping families in Texas meet their asset preservation goals, long term care needs and estate planning objectives for more than 30 years.

Contact our offices today to discuss your legal concerns with an experienced estate planning lawyer.

Wills & Trusts in Texas: Knowledgeable Counsel Can Help Save Time, Money and Stress

The particular contours of your estate plan will reflect your family's financial circumstances, wealth preservation strategies and any other unique needs. You may have to address issues related to family business succession planning or plan for the future care of a disabled child through a special needs trust.

For most families, however, the following estate planning instruments are usually regarded as fundamental:

• Last will and testament to specify the distribution of your assets and name your personal representative
• Powers of attorney to appoint trusted individuals to make decisions for you in the event you are incapacitated, including a medical power of attorney to designate a person who will make medical treatment decisions on your behalf in the event of an emergency, and a general durable power of attorney  to designate someone to make important financial decisions when you cannot do so yourself
• Texas Designation of Guardian Before Need Arises can simplify difficult and expensive guardianship proceedings in the event of your incapacity
• Advance health care directive to physicians to specify the circumstances under which life support should be continued or terminated

Other estate planning instruments such as a variety of trusts or more sophisticated tax planning devices can be recommended under certain circumstances. We can help you understand when these instruments are appropriate, and whether they can be used effectively to meet your needs.

Providing Personal Services to Meet Your Individual Needs

At McCulloch & Associates, we can provide estate-planning services for people in most circumstances. For families with aging parents and imminent long term care planning needs, we integrate advice about wills and trusts with asset protection strategies, Medicaid planning and other broader life care planning. We develop strategies designed to allow a higher quality of life and as much independence as possible for persons who might otherwise spend their last years and dollars in a nursing home.

For additional information about estate planning, or about our ability to integrate senior care alternatives with conventional wills and trust instruments, contact a lawyer or our staff elder care coordinator at McCulloch & Associates in Houston.