713-429-0218

sandy@ardlawfirm.com

4211 Video Street, Dickinson, Texas 77539
By Appointment Only:
Canyon Lake, Texas 78133

Becoming a Client of the Ard Law Firm, PLLC

Understanding the Three P’s of Estate Planning in Texas

#1 – People

Who are the Important People in your life? Beginning with yourself, they also likely include your loved ones: your spouse if you are married, children and grandchildren if you have any, perhaps your parents, siblings or other relatives. Beyond these, however, "Important People" also could include charities, special causes, colleges or universities, or churches to which you are committed. For some, "Important People" could even include pets. Spend some time thinking about the impact others have had on your life. Make a list and jot notes if you like. This is where the planning process truly begins.

#2 – Property

By Property we mean your assets in general. Make a list of the assets you own or control. At this point, you do not need to identify insurance policy numbers and exact dollar values. Rather think through your assets in terms of their nature (cash, stocks, bonds, real estate, etc.); their value in thousands of dollars; and your ownership interest: Do you own assets in your name only, in joint tenancy with someone else, or through a trust agreement or some other arrangement? Be sure to include often-overlooked assets like life insurance (the death benefit, not the cash value), business interests, and any inheritance you may expect to receive.

#3 – Plans

After identifying the Important People in your life and your Property, the next step is to consider the plans you would make for those people (including yourself) and that Property in the event of your own incapacity or death.

Who would you name to make decisions for you if you could no longer do so yourself? Would the same person handle your finances and your personal and health care decisions? Who would care for your minor children? How would you distribute your assets to your heirs? Would you prefer to spare your heirs the potential cost and hassles of the probate process? Would you like to minimize the impact of estate taxes ... or maximize the impact of a charitable bequest? Is there someone in your family with special needs for whom you would like to provide? Is there someone who perhaps should not receive a great deal of (or any) money without some outside oversight?

These are just a few of the issues to consider when approaching the planning process. They are much more important than the "treasure hunt" for legal documents at this stage.

When You Are Ready

When you are ready to schedule a consultation, please call or complete the Request a Consultation form and we will give you a call to schedule. Also, go ahead and download our Client Intake Form now to get started.


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Taking Steps to Preserve Your Legacy

Estate Planning

Estate Planning

A properly drafted estate plan will replace the terms of the State's estate plan with your own.

Elder Law

Elder Law

Elder law is another aspect of estate planning, focusing primarily on the needs of families and individuals as they age.

Medicaid

Medicaid

Medicaid, is a joint federal-state program, subject to certain federal requirements, each state implements its own regulations on how the program is managed.

Probate

Probate

When probate avoidance planning has not been implemented prior to death, the state will require a probate court proceeding if the deceased was a resident or owned assets in the state.

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Attorney Sandy Ard, of the Ard Law Firm, PLLC, provides clients with comprehensive Estate Planning, Medicaid Planning, Veterans Benefits Planning, Wills, Trusts, Living Trusts, Pet Trusts, Special Needs Planning, Asset Protection, Elder Law, Farm Trusts and Non-citizen Spouse Estate Planning, Probate & Estate Administration, Business Succession, and Family Business Planning, in Houston, Texas and the following areas including but not limited to: Houston, Galveston, Lake Jackson, Dickinson, League City, Texas City, Webster, Seabrook, Santa Fe, Texas; and their respective surrounding areas in Harris County, Chambers County, Brazoria County, and Galveston County, Texas.

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