Estate Planning

Wills, Powers of Attorney, Trusts

Someone said that only 3 out of 10 people have wills, yet 10 out of 10 people are going to die. Thinking about death and dying is something most of us ignore or put off. The truth is, 10 out of 10 of us will die. Having a will, powers of attorney, and in some cases trusts in place is a tremendous service to your family and loved ones.

Why do I need a will and other estate planning documents?

You need estate planning documents to ensure your property is disposed of according to your wishes, to ensure someone can act in your behalf if you are incapacitated, and to give your family members clear instructions regarding end-of-life issues such as life support, burial, and organ donation.

What about business owners?

Entrepreneurs and business owners need estate planning documents to make sure their business interests are transferred without disrupting the business and without expensive and divisive disagreements among family members, business partners, and investors.

How about same-sex couples?

Same sex couples have unique estate planning issues because there are no "default" laws that protect same-sex couples. If you have children, own real estate, or own businesses together, you need estate planning.

Our estate planning services include:

 

• assisting clients in identifying their estate planning needs
• preparing estate planning documents
• wills, powers of attorney: (health care, general/durable, directive to physicians, burial instructions, anatomical gifts) and trusts
• working with financial, insurance, and accounting professionals to coordinate estate planning efforts
• coordinating estate planning with business succession planning

• survivorship and co-ownership agreements

Estate Planning Experience

Jacqueline Rixen has assisted clients with estate planning since 1989.  In addition, she is a member of the Real Estate and Trust Law section of the State Bar of Texas.

Links

Elder Care - First Steps

Living Trust Scams

Medical Essentials for Elder Care

Beneficiary Designations

Austin Memorial and Burial Information Society (AMBIS) 

Prepaid Funeral Plans (Wall Street Journal article)

Texas Out of Hospital Do Not Resuscitate Program

Splitting Heirs (Austin American-Statesman article)