Practice Areas
At Dalton Estate Law PLLC, we focus exclusively on estate planning for Houston-area individuals and families. My practice is dedicated to helping you proactively design clear, legally sound strategies that protect your assets, preserve your legacy, and ensure your wishes are honored without unnecessary legal hurdles.
What Happens Without a Plan?
You already have an estate, your home, bank accounts, business interests, and personal belongings make up your legacy. If you pass away or become incapacitated without a plan, Texas law decides who inherits your assets and who makes your medical and financial decisions. For your loved ones, that means navigating a long, costly, and public court process during an already difficult time. Taking control today keeps your affairs private, protects your assets, and saves your family from unnecessary court battles, financial stress, and confusion.
Essential Estate Planning Tools
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Last Will and Testament: Establishes the legal framework to direct the distribution of your estate, appoint an independent executor, and waive bond requirements to minimize court intervention.
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Revocable & Irrevocable Trusts: Facilitate the seamless management and private transfer of property outside of Texas probate, reducing administrative delay and protecting assets for your beneficiaries.
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Statutory Durable Power of Attorney: Grants a designated agent the authority to manage your financial, business, and property matters if you become incapacitated.
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Medical Power of Attorney: Designates a trusted health care agent to make medical decisions on your behalf if you lack the capacity to make them yourself.
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Advance Directive to Physicians and Family or Surrogates: Formally instructs attending physicians regarding the administration, withholding, or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment in the event of a terminal or irreversible condition.
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HIPAA Release and Authorization: Grants designated family members or loved ones immediate access to your protected health information so they can communicate with medical providers during an emergency.
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Transfer on Death Deeds: Transfers Texas real property directly to named beneficiaries upon death, bypassing probate while allowing you to retain full ownership during your lifetime.
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Lady Bird Deeds (Enhanced Life Estate Deeds): Reserves a life estate in real property with the retained power to sell, mortgage, or convey the property without joinder of the remainder beneficiaries, passing the property outside of Texas probate upon death.
Take Control of Your Legacy
A complete estate plan protects both your assets and your peace of mind. By focusing exclusively on estate planning, I help Houston-area individuals and families customize the right strategy for their unique goals: