_Dallas, Texas Trusts and Estates Law Firm Helping You Plan
_Preserving your family’s wealth for future generations
Whether you are planning for your future medical care or establishing support for loved ones upon your death, N. Dean Hawkins & Associates, Inc. can help with all aspects of trusts and estates issues, including:
_The firm’s founder, N. Dean Hawkins, is a published author in the field of estate planning. Mr. Hawkins is the author of Texas Trusts & Clauses published by James Publishing in 2009. For a more in-depth discussion of NDHA’s services in these areas, see its estate planning website at http://www.texastrusts-wills-estateplanning.com.
Securing your legacy You work hard for your family, so knowing that you have planned for their long-term well-being and financial security can bring you comfort. We thoroughly analyze your estate and determine the best means of transferring your assets, minimizing taxes, establishing guardianship for your children, caring for your pets, supporting personal philanthropic causes and protecting your loved ones. Draft your last will and testament Your will provides the opportunity to specify upon your death how your property will be distributed, who will handle your affairs and your assets until the assets in your estate have been distributed, and who will care for your children. If you die without a will or do not properly address these issues in your will, the court, based upon Texas law, will determine these issues, and these determinations may not be consistent with your wishes. NDHA can draft valid wills that ensure your intentions are honored. Changing your will As your life circumstances change throughout your life, there is usually a need to change your estate plan and update your will. NDHA drafts valid codicils that address changes in your financial situation, marital status, number of children, philanthropic interests and general lifestyle decisions. Use of trusts Trusts are an invaluable tool in estate planning. Trusts can be either living trusts (formed during your lifetime) or testamentary trusts (formed under the terms of your will). Living trusts can be either revocable trusts (meaning that it can be revoked by you at any time) or irrevocable trusts (meaning that the trust cannot be revoked by you after it is formed). A special type of irrevocable trust is the irrevocable life insurance trust. All of these are valuable tools in the appropriate circumstances, but the income, estate and gift tax consequences must be fully understood before any of these trusts is formed. NDHA can assist and advise with the formation of any of these trusts. Ancillary documents The other commonly executed documents during the course of estate planning include: (1) a durable power of attorney, (2) a medical power of attorney, and (3) a living will. In a durable power of attorney, authority is granted to a third party to handle the financial affairs of the person granting the durable power of attorney. With a medical power of attorney, authority is granted to a third party to make medical decisions for the person granting the medical power of attorney, but only if the person granting the power is unable to make such decisions. Finally, with a living will, the person executing the living will is expressing his or her desire not to be placed on life support if he or she has been diagnosed as terminally ill. Appointment of guardianship If you have minor children, your will allows you to make decisions about their future care. This is especially crucial if you are a single parent or if both parents die in a common incident. If you do not name a guardian, the court will appoint a guardian for your children and can make decisions adverse to your ultimate parenting goals. You can also make arrangements for your pets’ care in your will, including naming a guardian to take responsibility for your pets. Contact an estate planning law firm you can trust, NDHA For estate planning services in Dallas and throughout Texas, call NDHA at 972-934-2830 or contact us online to schedule an initial consultation. _NDHA is conveniently located in Dallas
and serves clients in the outlying towns of Richardson, Plano and
McKinney, as well as throughout Collin County and Denton County.
| Areas of Practice
Address
_ 12801 N. Central Expressway
Suite 540 Dallas, TX 75243 P: 972-934-2830 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 972-934-2830 end_of_the_skype_highlighting F: 972-934-2825_ |
