Cedar Park Estate Planning & Probate Attorney

Looking for an estate planning attorney in Cedar Park? Henington Lewis Law Firm helps families in Cedar Park, Buttercup Creek, Twin Creeks, the Ranch at Brushy Creek and nearby Leander put estate plans in place and handle probate in Williamson and Travis Counties.

Estate Planning for Cedar Park Families

Many Cedar Park families are raising children, paying a mortgage and building retirement savings. A good plan for that stage is straightforward and affordable, and a Cedar Park estate planning attorney can usually finish it in a few weeks.

A guardian for your children

Texas lets you name who would raise your children if both parents die. Without that choice in writing, a court decides.

Money for your children

Life insurance and retirement accounts often make up most of a young family’s estate. If a minor child is named directly as beneficiary, a court may need to appoint someone to manage the money. Naming a trust for your children avoids that.

Beneficiary designations

Retirement accounts and life insurance pass by beneficiary designation, not by your will. We review them with you so they match your plan.

Will or trust?

Many young families start with a will that creates a trust for the children, then move to a living trust as their assets grow. Our will versus trust guide explains the difference.

Probate for Cedar Park Residents

Most of Cedar Park is in Williamson County, but some neighborhoods are in Travis County. Probate is generally filed in the county where the person lived. Williamson County does not have a separate statutory probate court, so probate cases there are heard by the county courts at law in Georgetown. Travis County cases go to the Travis County Probate Courts. We handle probate with independent administration, title probate and probate with dependent administration in both counties. Learn more about independent versus dependent administration.

Estate Planning and Probate Services for Cedar Park

Every plan is designed and reviewed by a Cedar Park estate planning attorney on our team. Our services include:

• Wills, including pour-over wills that work with your trust
• Revocable living trusts, with help retitling your home and accounts into the trust
• Statutory durable powers of attorney, medical powers of attorney, directives to physicians and HIPAA releases
• Asset protection and planning for business interests
• Probate: title probate, probate with independent administration and probate with dependent administration
• Heirship and affidavits of heirship when someone dies without a will
• Contested probate and will contests

Why Cedar Park Families Choose Our Estate Planning Attorneys

• You work with an attorney. Samantha Lewis or Turner Henington meets with you, designs your plan and walks you through every document before you sign.
• Planning and probate under one roof. We write estate plans and we handle probate, so we draft knowing what actually happens in Texas courts after a death.
• A clear price up front. You get a flat-fee quote for your estate plan before you commit.
• Free community seminars. We teach free estate planning seminars around the Austin area, so you can learn the basics before you ever book a meeting.
• Meet in person or by video. Plan from home if that is easier, and come in once to sign.

Read what clients say in the reviews on this page, or call (512) 737-8404 to talk with an estate planning attorney who serves Cedar Park.

How Working With a Cedar Park Estate Planning Attorney at Our Firm Works

1. Consultation. We learn about your family, your property and your goals, and answer your questions.
2. Plan design and quote. We recommend a will-based or trust-based plan and give you a flat fee.
3. Draft review. You review the drafts with your attorney and we make changes until they fit.
4. Signing and trust funding. You sign with a notary and witnesses, and we help move your home and accounts into your trust so it actually works.

Meeting With Us From Cedar Park

Our office is at 1101 S. Capital of Texas Hwy, Bldg G, Suite 150-C, Austin, TX 78746, on Loop 360. From Cedar Park it is about a half-hour drive down Loop 1 or RR 620 and Loop 360. We also meet by video for clients who prefer to plan from home, and we can help arrange signings.

Call (512) 737-8404 or send us a message to set up a consultation with a Cedar Park estate planning attorney on our team.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do we need a will or a trust as a young family?

Either can work. A will can name a guardian and create a trust for your children, but it goes through probate. A living trust avoids probate and keeps things private. A Cedar Park estate planning attorney should recommend based on your assets and goals, not a one-size package.

Who manages money we leave to our minor children?

If you set up a trust, the trustee you choose manages it under your instructions. Without a trust, a court may need to appoint a guardian of the estate, which adds cost and court oversight until each child turns 18.

Should we name our children as beneficiaries on life insurance?

Usually not directly while they are minors. Naming a trust for the children as beneficiary lets the trustee you chose manage the money instead of a court-appointed guardian.

Which county handles probate for a Cedar Park resident?

It depends on where the person lived. Most Cedar Park addresses are in Williamson County, where probate is heard by the county courts at law in Georgetown. Some are in Travis County, which has two statutory probate courts.

My parent died in Cedar Park. Do we have to go through probate?

Not always. If there was a will and no unpaid debts other than a mortgage, title probate may work. If there was no will, the heirs may be able to use an affidavit of heirship for some property. We tell you the simplest route that works.

How much does an estate plan cost?

We quote a flat fee up front. Our article on estate planning costs in Texas explains what affects the price.

Other Areas We Serve

• Austin estate planning and Austin probate
• Travis County probate and estate planning
• Williamson County probate and estate planning
• Hays County probate and estate planning
• West Lake Hills estate planning and probate
• Lakeway estate planning and probate
• Bee Cave estate planning and probate
• Dripping Springs estate planning and probate
• Round Rock estate planning and probate