Austin Estate Planning Attorneys
Wills, Trusts, and Long-Term Care Planning Built Around Your Family’s Future
The decisions you make today can shape what your family faces years from now. At Hailey-Petty Law Firm, our estate planning lawyers help Austin-area families create clear plans that protect loved ones, preserve important assets, and provide invaluable direction.
Your Family Deserves a Clear Plan
Don’t Leave Major Decisions to the Courts
Without an estate plan, Texas law may decide how assets are distributed and who handles important responsibilities after your passing.
Reduce Stress During an Already Difficult Time
Clear legal documents can help your loved ones avoid confusion, delays, and unnecessary conflict when emotions are already running high.
Protect the People and Assets That Matter Most
Estate planning helps create clear instructions for your children, finances, healthcare wishes, and long-term legacy.
Our Austin Estate Planning Lawyer Services
Wills and Estate Planning
A well-crafted estate plan helps outline how your assets, property, and responsibilities should be handled in the future. We help Austin families create legally sound plans that reflect their wishes and long-term goals.
Trust Planning
Trusts can help certain assets transfer more efficiently while providing added privacy and control. These estate planning tools may also help reduce complications for loved ones later on.
Probate and Estate Administration
Probate can quickly become stressful for families already dealing with loss. We help clients work through the Texas probate process, estate administration responsibilities, and related legal requirements.
Powers of Attorney
Powers of attorney allow trusted individuals to make financial or legal decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so yourself. These documents can help avoid delays and uncertainty during difficult situations.
Advance Healthcare Directives
Advance healthcare directives help communicate your medical wishes if you are unable to speak for yourself. These documents can provide clarity for both your loved ones and healthcare providers.
Guardianship Planning
Guardianship planning allows parents to designate who should care for minor children if the unexpected happens. Clear legal planning can help avoid uncertainty and disputes in the future.
Medicaid and Long-Term Care Planning
Long-term care costs can place major financial pressure on families over time. Our Medicaid planning strategies may help protect certain assets while preparing for future healthcare needs.
Asset Protection Planning
Asset protection planning focuses on preserving wealth, property, and financial resources for future generations. Proper planning may help reduce exposure to unnecessary legal or financial complications.
Get Answers About Wills, Trusts, and Probate in Austin, Texas
The decisions you make now can shape what your family deals with later, financially, legally, and emotionally. Reach out to our Austin estate planning attorneys today.
Our Estate Planning Process
(1) Schedule Your Free Consultation
We start by learning about your family, goals, assets, and concerns. This conversation helps our Austin estate planning attorneys determine what type of plan makes the most sense for your situation.
(2) Build a Plan Around Your Needs
Every family is different. We help determine whether you may benefit from wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, or other estate planning tools under Texas law.
(3) Review & Finalize Your Documents
Once your estate plan is prepared, we walk you through the documents clearly and answer any questions before everything is finalized and signed properly.
(4) Proceed With Greater Peace of Mind
With a legally sound estate plan in place, you can sleep easily at night knowing your wishes, loved ones, and future plans are better protected.
Areas We Serve
- Austin
- Bouldin Creek
- Brushy Creek
- Cedar Park
- Del Valle
- Downtown Austin
- East Austin
- Georgetown
- Hutto
- Hyde Park
- Jollyville
- Kyle
- Lakeway
- Leander
- Lost Creek
- Mueller
- North Austin
- Onion Creek
- Pflugerville
- Rollingwood
- Rosedale
- Round Rock
- Steiner Ranch
- Sunset Valley
- Teravista
- Terrytown
- West Lake Hills
Why Put Your Family’s Future in Our Hands?
Personalized Attention
Every family faces different questions about children, assets, healthcare decisions, and the future. At Hailey-Petty Law Firm, we create estate plans designed around your specific priorities and long-term goals.
Guidance Through Complex Texas Estate Laws
Texas estate laws can create major complications when documents are incomplete, outdated, or missing entirely. Our firm helps clients prepare legally sound plans that reduce uncertainty down the road.
Clear Communication From Start to Finish
Estate planning should feel clear and manageable from the very beginning. We explain your options in plain language and help you make informed decisions at every stage.
Planning Focused on Long-Term Protection
A strong estate plan can help protect your loved ones, preserve assets, and provide direction during difficult moments. We focus on creating plans that support your family for years to come.
FAQs About Estate Planning in Austin, TX
Do I Need a Will or a Trust in Texas?
The best option depends on your goals, assets, family structure, and long-term plans.
A will allows you to outline how your property should be distributed and who should care for minor children. A trust may help your family avoid probate, maintain privacy, and simplify the transfer of certain assets.
Many Texas families benefit from having both as part of a complete estate plan.
What Happens if Someone Dies Without a Will in Texas?
When someone passes away without a valid will, Texas intestate succession laws determine who inherits their assets. The process can become more complicated for surviving spouses, blended families, unmarried partners, and families with minor children.
Without clear legal instructions in place, loved ones may face delays, added court involvement, and disagreements during probate.
Should I Hire an Austin Estate Planning Lawyer?
In most cases, yes. Working with an estate planning lawyer can help you avoid costly mistakes, create legally valid documents, and build a plan that reflects your family’s specific needs, assets, and long-term goals under Texas law.
What Documents Are Usually Included in an Estate Plan?
A complete estate plan may include:
- A last will and testament
- Revocable living trusts
- Financial power of attorney
- Medical power of attorney
- Advance healthcare directives
- Guardianship designations for minor children
The right combination depends on your personal, financial, and family circumstances. Talk to an Austin estate planning attorney today to get started.
Can Estate Planning Help My Family Avoid Probate?
Yes, certain estate planning tools can help reduce or avoid probate in Texas. Trusts, beneficiary designations, and properly structured asset transfers may allow assets to pass more efficiently to loved ones. Probate can still be necessary in some situations, but proactive planning may help reduce delays, legal costs, and unnecessary stress for your family.
Are Online Wills Valid in Texas?
Texas recognizes certain online and DIY wills if they meet legal requirements. However, mistakes involving signatures, witnesses, wording, or asset coordination can create major problems later.
Estate plans should reflect your specific family dynamics, financial situation, and long-term wishes. Working with an Austin estate planning attorney is the safest way to prevent issues that may not become obvious until after someone passes away.
The Best Time to Plan Is Before Your Family Needs It
Life can change quickly. Implementing an estate plan gives your family clear direction, protects your wishes, and helps avoid unnecessary complications down the road.
Estate Planning Attorney Reviews
My wife and I engaged the Hailey-Perry Law firm to create an estate trust and will for us. Wasn’t looking forward to it. I anticipated that it wasn’t going to be a pleasant experience “getting our affairs in order”. I was happily surprised. Pam is a delightful person and she guided us through the process with great skill and patience. It did turn out to be quite a pleasant experience after all and we felt that Pam asked all the right questions and provided expert guidance so that we ultimately arrived at the best estate plan for our needs. We highly recommend the Hailey-Petty Law Firm.
Bob R.
I was very impressed how during the Pandemic I never had to leave my house, and instead communicated by phone, email and text until the final signing which was done with all precautions in place. As a retired investor crafting a portfolio, having a daughter in Hawaii and son in San Antonio, I was unsure of what type of estate planning I needed, but with their advise and directions I came out very pleased with the final product they crafted.
Edward H.
Thank you all for your patience and attention to detail when creating a will for both my husband and myself. We had no idea what all went in to creating a sound and complete will for a blended family. You were very thorough and happy to answer all our questions!
Theresa S.
Looking for an Estate Planning Attorney in Austin?
The Hailey-Petty Law Firm focuses on Estate Planning law. Give our office a call at (512) 910-8977 for a consultation and we can help you determine the best estate planning law path forward. In certain situations, your accountant or financial advisor may recommend an estate planning law firm.