Estate planning helps you decide how to leave property to loved ones and who can make decisions if you cannot. It also addresses the tax consequences of transferring your assets. At Leonard Weiner Law, PLLC, we represent individuals, families, and business owners in Houston and throughout Texas. We help you put your wishes in writing and choose planning options that fit your family’s needs.
Whether you are preparing your first estate plan or updating existing documents, we review your arrangements and recommend changes to address any gaps.
Why Choose Leonard Weiner Law, PLLC?
Our legal and accounting background helps us evaluate your estate plan from several perspectives. Our firm offers:
- Board certification in estate planning and tax law. Leonard Weiner is board-certified in Estate Planning and Probate Law and Tax Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
- Accredited Estate Planner designation. Leonard Weiner holds the AEP® designation from the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils.
- Careful review of tax tradeoffs. We assess how proposed gifts, trusts, and ownership changes could affect your taxes and those of your beneficiaries.
- Advice tailored to your priorities. We listen to your concerns, explain your options in plain English, and recommend arrangements that fit your goals.
What Does the Texas Estate Planning Process Look Like?
We begin by asking what you want your plan to accomplish. You may want to provide for a spouse while preserving an inheritance for children, keep a family business operating, or decide who will manage your finances if you cannot.
Next, we review what you own, how assets are titled, and any existing estate documents. This helps us identify gaps or conflicting instructions that could interfere with your wishes.
We then recommend an approach that balances your family’s needs with potential tax consequences. Before you make decisions, we explain the costs, ongoing responsibilities and any limits on your ability to change the arrangements or use your assets.
Do You Need Tax Planning if Your Estate Is Below the Federal Exemption?
Often, yes. Texas has no state estate or inheritance tax, and the federal estate and gift tax exclusion is $15 million per person in 2026. Many families will therefore owe no estate tax, but income taxes can still affect what beneficiaries receive.
Lifetime gifts of appreciated assets generally carry over your tax basis, while inherited assets generally receive a basis adjustment to their value at death. In Texas, both halves of qualifying community property can receive that adjustment when the first spouse dies. Giving away appreciated property could mean losing this benefit and increasing taxes when your beneficiaries sell it. We review proposed transfers to help you weigh those consequences.
Which Documents Can Help Protect Your Wishes?
The right combination depends on your property, relationships, and priorities. We may recommend:
- A will to direct the distribution of probate assets and nominate a guardian for minor children.
- A trust to manage designated assets and establish terms for distributions.
- A durable financial power of attorney to authorize someone to handle covered financial matters.
- A medical power of attorney and a directive to physicians to name someone to make medical decisions if you cannot and document your wishes about life-sustaining treatment.
We also review beneficiary designations and asset ownership. Retirement accounts and life insurance commonly pass under beneficiary designations rather than your will. Those instructions should support your broader plan.
Can Estate Planning Address Family or Business Concerns?
Yes. Your plan can address a blended family, a beneficiary with a disability, or concerns about leaving a large inheritance outright. We help you consider who should manage funds and how distributions should work. Special needs planning requires particular care when a beneficiary receives means-tested public benefits.
If you own a business, we review how ownership would transfer after your death or incapacity. Succession provisions and buy-sell agreements can help coordinate the company’s future with your estate plan.
Discuss Your Texas Estate Planning Goals With Us
Whether you are creating a plan or reviewing existing arrangements, Leonard Weiner Law, PLLC can help you evaluate your options and put clear instructions in place. Contact us to schedule a consultation. We serve clients in Houston and throughout Texas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I owe tax if I give money to my children?
Usually, no federal gift tax is due. In 2026, you can generally give each child up to $19,000 without using your lifetime exclusion or filing a gift tax return. Larger gifts generally require a return and use part of your available lifetime exclusion, but filing does not necessarily mean you owe tax.
Does a revocable living trust reduce estate taxes?
Generally, no. Assets in a revocable living trust remain part of your taxable estate because you retain control over them. If reducing estate taxes is a goal, we can evaluate other arrangements and explain their benefits and limitations.
Can I change my estate plan later?
Many estate planning documents can be revised while you have legal capacity. Irrevocable trusts impose additional limits. We explain which arrangements you can change and how that flexibility may affect your tax planning.