Texas Estate Planning Resources
Texas estate planning has unique rules that don’t exist in many other states. Below are Texas-specific videos and guides covering common mistakes, wills and trusts, community property, and incapacity planning.
Start Here: Texas Basics
Texas Estate Planning: Start Here
Not sure where to begin with estate planning in Texas? This short video explains the basics, the core documents most families need, and how the Texas planning and signing process works.
Texas Estate Plan Checklist: The 6 Core Documents Most Families Need
This video walks through the six core estate planning documents most Texas families need, including wills, trusts, financial powers of attorney, medical documents, and HIPAA authorizations. It’s a clear, practical checklist designed to help you understand how these documents work together under Texas law.
Estate Taxes and Inheritance Taxes in Texas (Good News for Families)
Texas does not impose an estate tax or inheritance tax, and most inheritances are not subject to income tax. This video explains how federal tax rules, inherited retirement accounts, and Texas community property step-up in basis rules affect Texas families.
Trusts + Funding
Understanding the difference between a will and a trust in Texas requires knowing how Texas probate, beneficiary designations, and incapacity planning actually work. This video explains when a will may be enough, when a trust may add value, and how Texas-specific tools can shape an effective estate plan.
The Texas Trust Mistake That Can Cost Your Family Hundreds of Thousands
Texas is a community property state, which means married couples can receive a full step-up in basis when one spouse dies. But many Texas couples are told to move their assets into a trust at the first death — and that can prevent those assets from receiving a second step-up in basis when the surviving spouse later dies.
Powers of Attorney + Medical
Texas Power of Attorney Explained (What Every Adult Needs to Know)
You’ll learn how a properly executed POA can help your family avoid guardianship, why the statutory form is widely accepted by banks and financial institutions, and how this document fits into a complete Texas estate plan.
Texas Planning Process
Who Prepares Your Texas Documents and How Our Team Works
Texas estate planning documents must be prepared under Texas law by a Texas-licensed attorney. This video explains how our team works, how clients meet directly with the Texas attorney by Zoom, and how documents are prepared specifically for each Texas family.
How Texas Signings Work
Estate planning signings in Texas are completed locally with a notary and two witnesses. This video explains how the signing process works, what’s required, and how clients are guided through each step.
Texas Guide & Forms (Optional Resources)
If you prefer a written overview, the Estate Planning in Texas guide explains the core concepts in plain English, including wills, trusts, probate, powers of attorney, and medical planning.
The videos on this page cover many of the same topics in a more visual, step-by-step format. Some readers find it helpful to use both.
For readers of the Estate Planning in Texas guide
Access to Texas forms is provided to book readers through a secure download page. Forms are state-specific and updated periodically.