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Texas Estate Planning Guide
A Texas Estate Planning Checklist for Retirees
Retirement is the right time to make sure your estate plan actually matches your life today — the property you've built, the family you have now, and the care you'd want. Here's a practical checklist.
By Rick Villarreal, Attorney · Licensed in Texas since 1996
By retirement, you've built something worth protecting — a home, savings, a lifetime of assets — and your family situation is settled in a way it wasn't at 30. That makes this the ideal time to put a clean, current estate plan in place, or to fix one that's out of date. Here's what to check.
1
A current will
If you don't have one, this is the place to start. If you do, make sure it still reflects your wishes, your current family, and the property you own now.
2
Powers of attorney
A Durable Power of Attorney for finances and a Medical Power of Attorney for health care become especially important as you age — they keep decisions with people you choose.
3
A Directive to Physicians
Your living will, documenting your wishes about life-sustaining treatment, so your family isn't left to guess.
4
A plan for your home
For many retirees the house is the biggest asset. A Transfer on Death Deed can pass it directly to your children, skipping probate on that property.
The most common problem: an out-of-date plan
Plenty of retirees have a will — but one written decades ago, naming an executor who's passed away, leaving property to people no longer in their lives, or missing children and grandchildren born since. An outdated plan can cause as much confusion as none at all. Retirement is the right moment to bring it current.
Beneficiary designations matter too
Retirement accounts and life insurance pass by their own beneficiary forms, not your will. Part of a good review is making sure those designations still name the right people and don't contradict the rest of your plan.
Keep it simple, keep it current
Most retirees don't need anything elaborate — a solid will, powers of attorney, a directive, and often a Transfer on Death Deed for the home. The value is in having it done correctly and keeping it up to date as life changes.
Want a plan that fits your life now?
A quick call is all it takes to get started. No obligation, always at no charge.
Getting it done
A flat-fee will or Complete Estate Plan brings everything current in one step. Most orders completed within one business day.
This article is general information about Texas law, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every situation is different — for advice about your own will, speak with a licensed Texas attorney.
Bring your plan up to date
A flat-fee will or Complete Estate Plan makes sure your wishes match your life today. Most orders completed within one business day.
(713) 588-5914Rick Villarreal, Attorney — Texas Estate Planning
(713) 588-5914 • [email protected] • MyTexasWills.com
State Bar of Texas since 1996 • Consultations are always at no charge.
State Bar of Texas since 1996 • Consultations are always at no charge.