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