Estate Planning

Experienced and Comprehensive Estate Planning in Austin

Nobody likes thinking about the idea of life ending, especially when it comes to facing one’s own mortality, but one of the best gifts you can give your loved ones is a detailed outline for the future. Rather than leaving others to expend time and energy (and often money) figuring things out as they think you would want, you can leave them with a comprehensive plan with your wishes spelled out in specific terms.

At the Law Office of Kara Borchers Jones, PLLC, we work with you to build the personalized plan you want, dividing your assets as you see fit, protecting your interests from aggressive creditors, and saving your loved ones from the emotional stress and expense of a complicated legal system. Estate planning is what we do, and we will help you navigate a complex system to build a plan for the future that fits your specific needs.

Plan for the Future with an Austin Estate Planning Attorney

We provide personalized assistance to Austin-area residents covering a wide array of services, including:

  • Wills: Definitely one of the most common estate planning strategies out there, a will can give your executor clear instructions about how you want your estate to be split. Anything that can help your loved ones avoid stressful legal or emotional troubles is good, and a will is a great start.
  • Medical Power of Attorney: A medical power of attorney is a document that authorizes a specified person or persons to make medical decisions on your behalf should you become physically or mentally incapacitated and are unable to make them yourself.
  • HIPAA Release: This document gives authority to a named person or persons to view your medical records and history.  This document is most often drafted to give your medical powers of attorney the right, as they may be making medical decisions for you in the future.
  • Living Wills: These documents spell out instructions for your physician regarding life support treatment under very specific circumstances.  They are also called physician’s directives.
  • Statutory Durable Power of Attorney: Similar to Medical Power of Attorney, this document gives legal authority to a specified person or persons to make a wide array of decisions and transactions on your behalf, many of them with regard to your financial affairs.  These documents can be drafted to be effective immediately upon signing or only in the event that you later become incapacitated. Having a statutory durable power of attorney before it’s needed will help protect your assets as well as your own future plans.
  • Guardian Designations: If you have minor children or special needs children in your care, legally designating guardians for them will help make sure that your dependents continue to receive care up to your standards and by someone you have chosen to care for them. The peace of mind from knowing your loved ones will be cared for no matter what happens is worth more than anything. It will also help your family avoid any tough decisions related to your dependents should something happen to you.
  • Deeds to Transfer Title in Real Property: If you own a home and want to make sure that ownership in that home passes to a specific person or persons, or if you want to avoid tying it up in a probate proceeding that would prevent your loved ones from transferring title or selling it in a timely manner, you may want to consider signing a deed specifying your wishes with regard to your real property.  Depending on your specific circumstances, a transfer on death deed, warranty deed, “ladybird” deed, or deed reserving a life estate may be an effective means to accomplish your needs and wishes.

Contact Me Directly to Schedule a Consultation

Your situation is unique and needs to be treated as such. You need an attorney who will break down your case, explain all of your options and offer advice for how to achieve the best possible outcome in the fastest, most inexpensive way possible.  At the Law Office of Kara Borchers Jones, PLLC, we give you the knowledge and guidance you need to make your own decisions regarding every aspect of the probate and estate planning process. Contact our firm by email at info@borchersjoneslaw.com or by calling 512.337.5030 to schedule a consultation and go over your needs and desires more in depth.