Estate Planning With the Law Office of Laura Vale, PLLC

Personalized Estate Planning in Texas

Estate planning is so much more than preparing legal documents. It’s about understanding your life, your loved ones, and your goals—and then choosing the right tools to protect them. Many people don’t know where to begin or which documents they actually need. That’s where professional guidance makes all the difference.

At the Law Office of Laura Vale, PLLC, we help you make sense of the estate planning process and the many options available. We’ll talk through your circumstances, explain the pros and cons of a Will-based plan versus a Trust-based plan, and help you decide what makes the most sense for your family. We’ll also guide you through important decisions such as who to appoint as Executor, Trustee, Power of Attorney, and Medical Power of Attorney, and ensure those appointments reflect both your wishes and your confidence in the people you choose.

Our goal is to help you make informed, thoughtful choices—not just to complete documents, but to build an estate plan that truly protects your family, reflects your values, and gives you peace of mind.

A Thoughtful, Client-Focused Approach

Every client’s situation is different, and a good estate plan must take those differences into account. When you meet with our office, you can expect a personal and informative estate planning session, not a quick document signing.

During your meeting, we will:

• Discuss your family makeup and relationships, including blended families, children from prior marriages, or loved ones who may need extra care or protection.
• Review your assets and property ownership, including real estate, financial accounts, retirement plans, and business interests.
• Talk through your values and priorities, such as protecting your spouse, minimizing conflict, or planning for incapacity.
• Address any concerns about certain family members—for example, beneficiaries who may have financial or personal challenges.
• Explain, in plain language, how each estate planning tool works, what it costs, and what it accomplishes.
• Answer all of your questions so you fully understand your options before making decisions.

This open, collaborative process ensures that your plan is not only legally sound but also practical and meaningful to you and your family.

Probate Versus Non-Probate Assets

A major part of estate planning is understanding what happens to your property when you pass away. Not all assets are treated the same under Texas law.

• Probate assets are those that do not transfer automatically when you die. These assets must go through the probate court process before they can be distributed. Common examples include property titled solely in your name, personal items, and accounts without a beneficiary.
• Non-probate assets pass directly to the person or people you’ve designated—without court involvement. These include life insurance policies, retirement accounts, jointly owned property with survivorship rights, and certain real estate deeds.

Your Will only controls probate assets and it only takes effect after it is admitted to probate.  Assets with beneficiary designations or special titling already have a built-in transfer mechanism and are not governed by your Will.

A well-designed estate plan looks at both probate and non-probate assets together so everything works in harmony and your wishes are carried out efficiently.

Using Deeds to Avoid Probate: Transfer on Death Deeds and Lady Bird Deeds

Real estate is often one of the most valuable assets people own. In Texas, Transfer on Death Deeds (TODDs) and Lady Bird Deeds are valuable tools for passing property directly to beneficiaries without the need for probate.

• A Transfer on Death Deed allows you to name who will receive your property when you pass away. You keep full control during your lifetime—you can sell, refinance, or revoke the deed at any time. After your death, your beneficiary records an affidavit and the property transfers directly, avoiding court delays and costs.
• A Lady Bird Deed, or Enhanced Life Estate Deed, works similarly but provides even greater flexibility. You retain complete control and can change your mind without needing the beneficiary’s consent, while still ensuring the property passes automatically at death.

These deeds can save your family time, money, and stress by keeping real estate out of probate. They also help preserve privacy and simplify the transfer process. At our firm, we prepare and record these deeds carefully and make sure they fit with the rest of your estate plan.

The Role of Beneficiary Designations

Beneficiary designations are another essential tool for avoiding probate. By naming beneficiaries directly on your bank accounts, retirement plans, or life insurance policies, those assets pass automatically to your chosen recipients.

However, it’s important to make sure these designations work together with your Will or Trust. Conflicting or outdated designations can lead to unintended results. As part of your estate planning session, we review these designations and help you coordinate them so your entire plan is consistent and complete.

Comprehensive Estate Planning Services

Our office provides a full range of Texas estate planning services, including:

• Wills and Codicils
• Revocable and Irrevocable Trusts
• Powers of Attorney and Medical Directives
• HIPAA Releases and Living Wills
• Transfer on Death and Lady Bird Deeds
• Marital Property Agreements (Prenuptial and Postnuptial)
• Business Ownership and Succession Planning
• Guardian Designations for Minor Children

Whether your goal is to avoid probate, protect your assets, or make life easier for your family, we’ll guide you through your options and make sure you have a plan that works.

The Value of Working With an Estate Planning Attorney

While online forms can seem convenient, they rarely account for real-life details like blended families, jointly owned property, or special family circumstances. Working directly with an experienced Texas estate planning attorney ensures your plan is accurate, effective, and legally enforceable.

When you work with our office, you’ll benefit from:

• A clear understanding of how Texas law applies to your situation.
• Step-by-step explanations of each planning option.
• Guidance on how to coordinate probate and non-probate assets.
• Avoiding mistakes that can cause costly disputes later.
• Confidence that your loved ones will be protected and your wishes honored.

Your estate plan is one of the most important legal investments you can make for your family. We encourage clients to review their plans periodically as life changes—marriage, divorce, new children, or new property—to keep everything current and effective.

Take the Next Step in Protecting What Matters Most

If you’ve been meaning to get your estate plan in order—or if it’s been years since you reviewed it—now is the perfect time to start. The Law Office of Laura Vale, PLLC provides thoughtful, personalized estate planning services to help you protect your loved ones and simplify the future. We’ll take the time to answer your questions, explain your options, and create a plan that gives you peace of mind.

Call or contact Law Office of Laura Vale, PLLC at (210) 588-9881 today to schedule your estate planning consultation and begin building a plan that truly reflects your wishes and your family’s needs.