Estate Planning: 101

a document that allows someone else to make business decisions for your related to your money and your property, including real, personal and SOCIAL Media.

a document that allows someone else to make medical decisions for you if you are unable to make them.

a document that you tell your Doctors and loved ones how you want to be treated when you have a terminal illness or irreversible condition.

a document under Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) that allows your medical providers to talk to someone other than you about your Health and care plan.

a. For an Adult - a document that allows you to select who you want (or don't want) to be your Guardian if the need arises. Guardianship is a court proceeding that can take away your rights to control your money and where you live.

b. For a minor - a document that allows you to select who you want (or don't want) to be your Child's Guardian if the need arises. A Natural parent ALWAYS has priority.

a document that allows you to select who you want to be in charge of your final resting place and arrangements. This is especially important if you have certain religious beliefs about how you want (or don't want) your body to be handled, ie Cremation.

These are contract documents with your insurance company, banks, investment accounts, etc. that allow you to determine who gets your money.

The State of Texas has laws in place that allow you to designate by deed who inherits your real property upon your passing, without having to go through Probate Court.