The Southwest Office of the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC proudly serves families throughout Southwest Houston—including Bellaire, Meyerland, Sharpstown, Westbury, Braeswood, and Gulfton—with comprehensive and personalized estate planning services. Whether you are creating your first will, updating an existing estate plan, or planning long-term financial and medical decisions, our Southwest estate planning attorneys provide the clarity, guidance, and legal protection you need.
Estate planning is essential for securing your family’s future and minimizing stress during probate. A complete estate plan ensures your wishes are honored, protects your assets, and reduces the likelihood of family disputes or costly delays. Our Southwest Office helps clients design legally sound, customized plans that bring peace of mind today while simplifying estate administration for loved ones in the future.
Why Estate Planning Matters for Southwest Houston Families
A complete estate plan provides numerous benefits:
- Ensures assets pass to beneficiaries YOU choose
- Reduces probate time and costs
- Prevents confusion and conflict among family members
- Protects minor children, disabled adults, and vulnerable relatives
- Reduces the need for guardianship
- Preserves your medical and financial autonomy
- Prevents Texas intestacy laws from controlling inheritance
- Provides clarity in emergencies and life transitions
Without proper planning, your estate may face legal complications, family disagreements, and extended probate delays.
Estate Planning & Will Resources Available Through Our Southwest Office
Last Will & Testament Preparation
A will is the foundation of your estate plan. It outlines how your property will be distributed and who will manage your estate.
Our Southwest attorneys help clients:
- Draft legally valid Texas wills
- Appoint a trusted executor
- Select guardians for minor children
- Create custom inheritance instructions
- Update outdated or conflicting wills
- Avoid errors that lead to probate disputes
A strong will ensures your family can navigate probate with fewer challenges.
Living Trusts (Revocable & Irrevocable)
Trusts are valuable tools for asset protection, probate avoidance, and long-term planning.
We assist clients in creating:
- Revocable living trusts for probate avoidance and flexibility
- Irrevocable trusts for asset protection and tax planning
- Special needs trusts for disabled beneficiaries
- Children’s trusts for minors and blended families
- Instructions for successor trustees
Trust-based planning offers privacy, efficiency, and long-term protection.
Powers of Attorney (Financial & Medical)
Powers of attorney ensure that someone you trust can act on your behalf if you become incapacitated.
We prepare:
- Durable financial powers of attorney
- Medical powers of attorney
- HIPAA releases
- Springing (conditional) powers of attorney
- Guidance on choosing qualified agents
Without these documents, loved ones may be forced to pursue guardianship through the courts.
Advance Directives & Medical Instructions
Advance directives help you document medical preferences clearly and legally.
Our Southwest Office assists with:
- Directive to Physicians (Living Will)
- Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) forms
- Organ and tissue donation statements
- Long-term care planning
- Emergency medical decision instructions
These documents prevent emotional conflict and ensure your healthcare wishes are honored.
Beneficiary Designations & Non-Probate Transfers
Many assets transfer outside of probate if designated properly.
We help clients update:
- Retirement accounts (401k, IRA, pensions)
- Life insurance beneficiaries
- Investment and brokerage account designations
- Pay-on-Death (POD) bank accounts
- Transfer-on-Death (TOD) deeds for Texas real estate
- Joint ownership survivorship agreements
Proper beneficiary planning prevents delays and ensures assets pass smoothly.
Estate Tax Planning & Asset Protection Strategies
Even though Texas has no state estate tax, planning is important for asset preservation.
We offer:
- Trust-based tax strategies
- Asset protection techniques
- Multi-property estate planning
- Business succession planning
- Wealth-transfer strategies
Our strategies are tailored to your financial and family goals.
Updating & Maintaining Your Estate Plan
Estate plans should evolve with your life circumstances.
We recommend updating your plan when:
- A marriage, divorce, or remarriage occurs
- Children are born or adopted
- You gain or sell significant property
- Your finances change significantly
- A spouse, child, or beneficiary passes away
- Executors or trustees can no longer serve
Regular updates ensure your estate plan remains accurate and enforceable.