Austin Estate Planning Lawyers

Defining Estate Planning

In today’s aging society, the terms ‘probate’ and ‘estate planning’ are buzzwords. Everyone, from senior citizens to middle-aged members of the workforce, is taking notice of the advice which probate attorneys and financial-industry professionals have given for decades – make a plan for your estate early so that the unexpected is not also catastrophic.

But what exactly is estate planning? For starters, it’s far more than just a will. Though a will is indisputably a key part of any good estate planning strategy, it is still just one component of what amounts to an entire system of legal documents and financial arrangements. Today, estate planning and probate are more complicated than ever; the assistance of an experienced Austin probate lawyer is essential if they are to be done correctly.

A Complex Process

Why is estate planning such a daunting task? Even putting legal language and intricacies aside, the answer is assets. The average person today has far more assets than he or she may realize. Gone are the days when your assets consisted of the sum in your bank account. A typical American adult most likely has assets distributed in bank accounts, financial investments, real estate holdings, business interests, and more, but most won’t realize it until they truly begin to take stock of their possessions. Coordinating and providing for the distribution of these varied and wide-ranging assets is no easy task.

Furthermore, estate planning is a process. As time passes, assets increase, laws change, and relationships develop – or die – entire estate plans must also adapt to fit new needs. Wills must be kept up to date and trust must be maintained if an estate plan is to be successful. Preparing for the future is not a one-time event; it is an ongoing task which lasts until the end of life.

If you are ready to begin organizing an estate plan today, contact Austin estate planning lawyers Slater & Kennon, LLP at 512-472-2431 for more information on how they can help you.

Centrally located in the Arboretum area of north Austin, the Slater & Kennon law firm represents clients in Travis County, Bastrop County, Burnet County, Williamson County, and Hays County, including the cities of Austin, San Marcos, Bastrop, Burnet, and Georgetown.