Call now: 469-598-1080 Call now: 469-598-1080

Call now: 469-598-1080

Schedule a Consultation Schedule a Consultation

Schedule a Consultation

  • Family Law Services

    Estate Planning

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Collin, Dallas, and Denton Counties

A good estate plan is not just about what happens after you are gone. It is about making sure your wishes are clear, your assets are protected, and the people who depend on you are taken care of, no matter what happens.

At Hanshaw Kennedy Hafen, we help individuals, families, and business owners across Collin, Dallas, and Denton counties put solid plans in place. As a trusted wills and trusts attorney Collin County residents turn to, whether you are starting from scratch or updating documents that no longer reflect your current life, our attorneys work through the details with you and make sure everything is done right.

What Estate Planning Covers

Estate planning is more than a will. A complete plan typically includes several documents working together to cover different situations and stages of life.

Last Will and Testament
A will directs how your assets are distributed after your death, names guardians for minor children, and designates an executor to manage the process. Without a will, Texas intestacy laws determine who gets what, and the result may not reflect your wishes. Working with a will attorney in Frisco, TX ensures your will is properly drafted and enforceable.

Revocable Living Trust
A trust allows assets to pass to your beneficiaries without going through the probate process. It also provides flexibility to manage your assets during your lifetime and can be updated as your circumstances change. For business owners and those with significant assets, a trust is often an essential part of the plan. A trust attorney serving North Dallas can help you determine whether a trust fits your situation.

Durable Power of Attorney
This document designates someone to manage your financial affairs if you become incapacitated. Without one, your family may need to go through a court proceeding to get the authority to act on your behalf. Our power of attorney attorney in Frisco can prepare this document as part of your complete estate plan.

Medical Power of Attorney
Designates someone to make healthcare decisions for you if you are unable to make them yourself. This is one of the most important documents in any estate plan and one of the most commonly overlooked.

Directive to Physicians (Living Will)
Documents your wishes regarding life-sustaining treatment and other medical interventions so your family and healthcare providers know what you want if you cannot communicate it yourself.

HIPAA Authorization
Allows designated individuals to access your medical information, which is necessary for anyone helping manage your care.

Estate Planning for Business Owners

If you own a business, your estate plan needs to account for more than personal assets. What happens to your ownership interest when you die? Is there a succession plan in place? Are your business and personal assets properly separated?

These are not questions to leave unanswered. HKH has in-house civil and business law counsel alongside our family law and estate planning attorneys, which means we can address the personal and business dimensions of your plan together. That integration matters when the stakes are high and the details are complicated. If you need an estate plan for business owners in Texas, we bring the right combination of expertise to the table.

When to Review or Update Your Estate Plan

An estate plan is not a one-time task. Life changes, and your documents should reflect where you are now, not where you were when you signed them. Consider updating your plan when:

  • You do not have one yet.
  • You recently got married or divorced.
  • You had or adopted a child.
  • A beneficiary, executor, or guardian named in your documents has passed away or is no longer the right choice.
  • You started, sold, or significantly grew a business.
  • Your financial situation has changed substantially.
  • You moved to Texas from another state.

Estate and Probate Litigation

When disputes arise over an estate, trust, or will, HKH represents clients in probate litigation involving:

  • Will contests and challenges to the validity of a will.
  • Breach of fiduciary duty by a trustee or executor.
  • Beneficiary rights and accountings.
  • Trustee or executor removal and replacement.
  • Guardianship disputes.

These cases often involve family relationships alongside legal disputes, which requires an attorney who understands both dimensions. Our goal is always to resolve matters as efficiently as possible while protecting your rights and the integrity of the estate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Estate planning is not just for the wealthy. If you have minor children, a will naming a guardian is essential. If you become incapacitated without a power of attorney in place, your family may need to go to court to manage basic financial matters on your behalf. The cost of not having a plan is almost always greater than the cost of putting one together.
Texas intestacy laws determine how your assets are distributed. The outcome depends on whether you are married, have children, and the nature of your assets. The results are often not what people would have chosen, and the process of administering an estate without a will is typically more complicated and more expensive for your family.
A general review every three to five years is a good practice. Beyond that, update your plan any time there is a significant life change such as a marriage, divorce, birth of a child, death of a named beneficiary or executor, or a major shift in your financial situation or business interests.
Yes. A will can be challenged on grounds including lack of testamentary capacity, undue influence, fraud, or improper execution. Will contests must be filed within a specific time period after the will is admitted to probate. If you believe a will does not reflect the true wishes of the deceased or was executed improperly, speak with an estate planning attorney in McKinney, TX as soon as possible.

Our Services

Like to speak with someone directly about your Estate Plan or Will?

Request a consultation

Is your will up to date with your current wishes?

We can