Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning

Dedicated Guidance in Protecting Yourself and your Assets for The Future. Serving McKinney, Greenville TX, and Surrounding Areas.

Though we often put it off, planning for the future is on everyone’s minds. However, it is a crucial step to take whether you are nearing retirement or starting your career. In addition, after the death of a loved one, many clients are unaware of the process that must be undertaken to pay creditors and transfer property appropriately.

At Scott, Ray, Pemberton & Goll, PLLC, we work with clients to protect their assets and legacy through estate planning. In the event of the death of a loved one, we work diligently to formulate the best strategy to handle the decedent’s estate. Our lawyers use more than 40 years of experience when helping you select the best and most economical estate planning tools and probate processes that suit your needs, interests, and goals. We understand that the operation can be complex and emotional. Our firm prides itself on our compassionate approach and skilled guidance. Learn how we can help by scheduling a consultation with our team in Greenville by calling (903) 454-0044 or (972) 525-5872 for our Collin County office.

Difference Between Wills & Trusts

Estate Planning Tools

There are a wide variety of estate planning tools, including designations and documents, that can be used to protect you, such as:

Wills: Having a last will and testament drafted is one of the most important steps you can take in estate planning. Your will dictates who will receive your estate assets and which assets they will receive. It can also detail other aspects of how you wish your estate to be handled in the event of your death.
Trusts: There are several different types of trusts that can be used to accomplish different goals. Some types of trusts include revocable trusts, irrevocable trusts, special needs trusts, charitable trusts, life insurance trusts, and more. These trusts typically protect assets and property for future use or the benefit of your heirs and beneficiaries.
Powers of attorney: Medical, financial and durable powers of attorney can be implemented so someone else can make decisions and transactions on your behalf if you are incapacitated or otherwise unable to do so yourself. In the power of attorney document, you name the trusted individual or individuals who can act in this capacity for you and the timeframe for which they will hold this power.
Advance health care directives: To ensure you receive the medical care you wish for, an advance health care directive can be composed. This document details the lengths you would want doctors to go to save your life or keep you alive, as well as other specifics that would need to be communicated in case you could not express them due to injury, illness, or incapacitation.
Transfer on Death Deeds and Lady Bird Deeds: Texas allows the transfer of real property upon the death of a loved one to a beneficiary named in a specific type of deed. Transfer on death deeds and ladybird deeds are sometimes a method to transfer real property, which may avoid the time and expense of probate.

Handling All Aspects of a Will

It is vital to have a last will and testament created to protect your assets, property, and legacy for yourself, your family, and future generations. A will detail all parts of your estate and how you wish them to be distributed upon your death. If you die without a will, the courts will take over and administer your estate according to the law versus your wishes.

Our firm can help you gather all the information needed to create a comprehensive will that provides directions for your executor, beneficiaries, and heirs. We can also assist in revising a will, which should be done in the event of a significant life event such as a divorce or the death of a loved one.