Fort Worth Estate Planning Attorneys

Serving Tarrant County and Surrounding Texas Communities

At the Fort Worth law firm of Loudermilk Law, PLLC, we assist clients with all aspects of estate planning. We provide services to individuals and families throughout Tarrant County, DFW, and surrounding counties.

Our Comprehensive Approach to Estate Planning

Estate planning requires an in-depth understanding of the laws that govern Texas estates and the means available to manage assets during life and distribute property after death. Our extensive experience in complicated probate and estate matters adds an important dimension to our estate planning practice.

We know first hand that many things can go wrong with an estate or a probate matter, because our practice includes addressing those types of issues for clients. When we create an estate plan for a client, we go to great lengths to avoid any potential issues that could arise in the future.

At Loudermilk Law, our practice focuses primarily on legal matters relating to probate and estates. Much of our practice is courtroom-based, involving issues like contested estates, complex estate administrations, contested guardianships, and complicated creditor issues. We represent individuals, as well as banks and other corporate and professional fiduciaries. Many of our clients come to us through referrals from other attorneys.

Bob Loudermilk, has extensive estate planning experience in private practice. His background include working as staff attorney at Tarrant County Probate Court No. 2 on matters relating to estates, wills, trusts, probate, and guardianships. That background — together with his courtroom experience and practice focus on probate and estates — sets the firm apart and positions it uniquely well to provide estate planning services to our clients.

Goals of Estate Planning

Estate planning involves the use of wills, trusts, and ancillary documents to achieve the desired distribution of the planner's assets upon their death, as well as to minimize taxes on the estate. A carefully drafted will or trust ensures that your estate passes to your chosen beneficiaries according to your wishes. Complex planning situations, such as blended families or family members with special needs, require prudent and detailed planning.

In addition, advance directives and other incapacity planning documents are an essential part of any estate plan. They ensure that individuals you choose will make your healthcare and financial decisions in the event you become unable to make those decisions yourself. The documents include:

• Durable Power of Attorney for Finances
• Medical Power of Attorney
• Directive to Physicians and Family or Surrogates (also called a living will or advance directive)
• HIPAA Authorization (access to medical records)

Purposes of a Will

Each estate plan is as unique as the person creating it. A customized plan takes into account all of an individual’s personal and financial circumstances. Even so, almost every Texas estate plan includes a will.

A will is the most basic estate planning document. It expresses your wishes about what happens with your property and assets following your death.

If you do not have a will, there may be disagreement and court actions over which family member has responsibility for administering your estate. Just as importantly, if you do not have a will or estate plan, Texas statutes of intestate succession determine your heirs. Making a will avoids having state law decide who receives your property.

Trusts in Estate Planning

A trust is a legal arrangement in which a fiduciary (trustee) manages and distributes assets (trust property). To create a trust, an individual (grantor) executes a carefully drafted trust document and transfers assets into the trust either immediately or on death through a will. The trust document governs the control and distribution of property in the trust.

Trusts serve many different purposes. When an individual wishes to accomplish special goals in an estate plan, a trust will often be the best way to achieve those goals. In our estate planning practice at Loudermilk Law, our attorneys use many different types of trusts, including:

• Revocable living trusts
• Irrevocable testamentary trusts (effective on death of the grantor)
• Charitable trusts
• Special Needs trusts
• Bypass trusts

Your personal and financial circumstances and your specific estate planning goals determine whether including a trust in your estate plan is the right strategy.

Estate Planning Customized to Your Goals

Our attorneys at Loudermilk Law provide a full range of estate planning services to clients. We tailor each plan to the client’s individual goals and situation. We focus on finding the best solution for the client, while providing an exceptional level of client service and reasonably priced, cost effective services.

Our estate planning practice includes elder law services that address the unique needs and special goals of older individuals, including planning for long-term care. We also assist with other legal issues involving estates, including probate and estate administration and guardianships.

Contact Our Tarrant County Estate Planning Attorneys

From our Fort Worth office, Loudermilk Law attorneys provide comprehensive estate planning services to clients throughout Tarrant County, DFW, and surrounding counties. To request additional information or schedule a consultation, please call us at 817.730.9300 or use our online contact form.