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Texas Wills and Trusts

Clear, legally sound directives that protect your wishes and provide for your loved ones exactly as you intend.
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Protecting Your Legacy Properly

Your will and trust documents are the foundation of your estate plan. 

Without proper documentation, Texas law determines who gets what, which may not align with your intentions. More importantly, your family faces unnecessary complications, delays, and expenses during an already emotional time.

At Barnard Law, we create wills and trusts that reflect your unique situation, protect your assets, and provide clarity for your family.

Our Services Include

Wills

We draft comprehensive wills tailored to your specific needs, whether you're a business owner requiring succession provisions, a property investor with diverse holdings, or a rancher with valuable land assets. Your will can be simple or complex, but it will always be legally sound and clearly express your wishes.

Trusts

We create various trust structures including revocable living trusts for probate avoidance, irrevocable trusts for tax benefits and asset protection, land trusts for ranch and property holdings, special needs trusts for loved ones with disabilities, and business succession trusts for ownership transitions.

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Protection Beyond Basic Documents: We create comprehensive plans using the right combination of wills and trusts to protect your assets, avoid probate delays, minimize tax burden, and ensure your wishes are honored exactly as intended.

Strategic Trust Design: Whether revocable living trusts for probate avoidance, irrevocable trusts for asset protection, or specialized trusts for unique situations, we design structures that accomplish your specific goals.

Peace of Mind Through Clarity: You’ll understand exactly how your plan works, who receives what, when distributions occur, and why we’ve recommended each element. No confusion, just confidence in your decisions.

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Understanding the Difference

Wills

  • Take effect only after death
  • Must go through probate (court process)
  • Become public record
  • Allow you to name guardians for minor children
  • Generally less expensive initially
  • Can be changed anytime during your life

Trusts

  • Can take effect immediately or upon specific events
  • Avoid probate entirely
  • Remain completely private
  • Provide management during your incapacity
  • Offer greater asset protection
  • Can be revocable (changeable) or irrevocable (permanent)

Why Choose Barnard Law for Your Wills and Trusts

1
Texas-Specific Knowledge

We understand Texas community property laws, homestead protections, probate procedures, and state-specific estate planning requirements that affect how your will and trust documents should be structured.

2
Customized, Not Templates

Every family and every estate is different. We create documents tailored to your unique situation rather than filling in blanks on generic forms.

3
Clear Communication

We explain complex legal concepts in straightforward language. You’ll understand exactly what your documents do and why each provision matters.

4
Comprehensive Approach
We consider how your wills and trusts coordinate with business entities, property ownership, and other aspects of your overall wealth protection strategy.
5
Long-Term Partnership
We’re here for the long term, providing updates as laws change and revisions as your life circumstances evolve.

Common Questions About Wills and Trusts

Do I need a will if I have a trust?

In most cases, yes. A pour-over will acts as a safety net, capturing any assets that weren’t transferred to your trust.

We recommend reviewing your estate plan every three to five years, or whenever you experience major life changes such as marriage, divorce, births, deaths, significant asset acquisitions, business changes, or moves to different states. Texas law also changes periodically, sometimes requiring document updates.
Texas intestacy laws determine asset distribution according to a statutory formula based on your family relationships. This may not align with your wishes, can create family conflicts, and often results in more complicated and expensive probate proceedings.
While Texas recognizes handwritten (holographic) wills under certain circumstances, DIY wills frequently contain errors that lead to challenges, family disputes, or unintended consequences. The cost of proper legal guidance is minimal compared to the problems informal wills often create.
Funding means transferring asset ownership from your personal name to your trust. This typically involves retitling bank accounts, deeding real estate, changing investment account registrations, and updating business ownership documents. We provide detailed guidance on this critical process.

Ready to Protect Your Wishes?

Your will and trust documents are too important to leave to chance or templates. Schedule a consultation to discuss your situation and discover how we can help you create comprehensive protection for your legacy.

Schedule a Consultation