Dallas Estate Planning Attorney
Protect your family, preserve your legacy, and plan for the future with personalized wills, trust, and estate planning services in Dallas-Fort Worth.
Plan ahead so your family isn't left guessing.
An estate plan answers the hard questions before anyone has to ask them: who inherits, who is in charge, who cares for your children, and who makes decisions if you can't. Without a plan, Texas law and the courts make many of those decisions for you. McCray Stewart & Associates helps individuals and families across Dallas–Fort Worth and in Mississippi put clear, practical plans in place.
Estate planning services
Wills
Decide who should inherit your property, name an executor to handle your estate, and designate your preferred guardian for minor children, subject to court approval.
Trusts
Protect your assets and plan for how they will be managed and distributed. A properly funded trust can help certain assets avoid probate, provide for loved ones, and establish when beneficiaries receive their inheritance.
Powers of attorney
Choose someone you trust to make financial or medical decisions on your behalf when you cannot. We prepare durable financial powers of attorney and medical powers of attorney tailored to your needs.
Advance directives
Make your wishes about certain medical treatments known in advance. An advance directive helps your loved ones and medical providers understand your preferences if you become unable to communicate them.
Keeping property out of probate
Explore options that allow certain assets to pass directly to your loved ones without probate. These may include transfer on death deeds, beneficiary designations, and other estate planning tools appropriate for your situation.
Plan reviews and updates
Life changes, and your estate plan should reflect those changes. We help you review and update your documents after marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, purchasing property, or other important life events.
How the process works
How the estate planning process works
- Free initial consultation: We discuss your family, assets, concerns, and estate planning goals during a free 15-minute consultation.
- Personalized recommendations: We identify the documents and planning strategies that fit your needs and explain your options in plain language.
- Document preparation: We prepare your estate planning documents and review them with you to ensure they reflect your wishes.
- Signing and execution: We guide you through the applicable signing, witnessing, and notarization requirements to help ensure your documents are properly executed under Texas law.
- Ongoing support: As your family, finances, or circumstances change, we can help you review and update your estate plan.
Why families choose McCray Stewart & Associates
- Experienced legal guidance: Attorney Kristian McCray Stewart brings more than a decade of legal experience to helping individuals and families make important legal decisions.
- Personalized estate planning: We take time to understand your family, assets, and goals to develop a plan that reflects your wishes and protects your loved ones.
- Compassionate, clear communication: We explain wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and other estate planning documents in plain language so you can make informed decisions.
- Convenient consultations: We offer phone and Zoom appointments, including a free 15-minute initial consultation. Additional consultation time is available for $225.
Estate planning FAQs
What happens if I die without a will in Texas?
If you die without a valid will, Texas intestacy laws determine who inherits your property. Your spouse or children may not receive everything you intended. Your family may also need a court proceeding to identify your legal heirs and settle your estate.
Is a will enough, or do I need a trust?
It depends on your family, assets, and goals. A will directs how your property should be distributed after death, but assets passing through your will generally require probate. A properly funded trust may allow certain assets to pass without probate and can provide more control over when and how beneficiaries receive their inheritance. We help you determine which option best fits your needs.
Who can I name to care for my children?
In Texas, you can designate someone you trust to serve as guardian of your minor children if guardianship becomes necessary. You can also name an alternate guardian. Although the court makes the final appointment based on applicable law and the children's best interests, documenting your preferences helps guide that decision.
How often should I update my estate plan?
Review your estate plan every three to five years or whenever you experience a major life change, such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, the death of a loved one, or purchasing property. Changes in your finances or estate planning laws may also require updates. Regular reviews help ensure your documents continue to reflect your wishes.
Settling a loved one's estate? See our probate services →
Estate Planning in Dallas–Fort Worth
McCray Stewart & Associates helps individuals and families protect their assets and plan for the future. We serve clients throughout Dallas, Collin, Denton, and Tarrant Counties, including Dallas, DeSoto, Cedar Hill, Duncanville, Plano, Frisco, and surrounding communities. We also assist Mississippi clients with estate planning matters. Phone and Zoom consultations are available.
Protect your family's future.
More on Probate & Estate Planning...
What is Estate Planning?
Listen to Atty. McCray Stewart as she addresses Estate Planning and its basics.
What is a Will?
Listen to Atty. McCray Stewart as she explains what a will is.
TESTIMONIALS
What our former clients are saying
"There was no judgement and she only wanted what was best for me in my situation!"
"Open, honest, and God-fearing!! There was no judgement and she only wanted what was best for me in my situation! She’s confident and humble. Will definitely recommend her to others."
-Sheila
"Mrs McCray and her firm deserve 6 stars"
"Mrs McCray and her firm deserve 6 stars. They are very attentive.
To their client. I never felt safer. They really look out for your best behalf. I will definitely recommend their service."
- Jeff Johnson