We’ll handle the details so you can focus on what really matters: taking care of your loved ones.
Whether it’s planning what happens after you pass away (estate planning), dealing with a loved one’s estate after their passing (probate), or helping a loved one who can’t take care of themself (guardianship), the legal process can feel overwhelming. With over 10 years of experience helping hundreds of clients, our team at Ellen Williamson Law, PC is here to help you every step of the way so you can take care of your family.
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Elder Law
Getting older brings legal questions most families aren't prepared for. What happens if a parent can no longer make decisions for themselves? Who has the legal authority to manage their finances or make medical calls if they haven't signed a power of attorney? What if a family member's condition has progressed to the point where a guardianship is the only option left? These situations are more common than people expect, and the time to address them is before a crisis forces the issue. We help older adults and their families put the right legal framework in place, documents that reflect their wishes and give their loved ones clear authority to act when it matters. When planning ahead is no longer possible, we handle the court process to establish the protections they need.
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Estate Planning
You've spent your life making decisions for your family. A solid estate plan makes sure those decisions hold when you're no longer able to manage them. We work with individuals and families across Dallas and the greater Metroplex to build plans that reflect your wishes, protect the people you love, and give everyone clarity when it matters most.
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Guardianship
When someone you love can no longer make safe decisions for themselves, the law provides a path, but it's a path that can often feel complicated and confusing. We guide families through the Texas guardianship process, whether that means guardianship of the person, the estate, or both. We also advise on less restrictive alternatives, including supported decision-making agreements and community administration, that may let you protect your loved one without the full burden of a formal guardianship.
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Living Trusts
Most people assume a will is enough to keep their family out of court. In many cases it isn't. A will still has to go through probate before anything can be transferred, which means time, court costs, and a public process your family has to manage while they're grieving. A revocable living trust is an alternative worth considering if avoiding that process matters to you. You stay in control of your assets during your lifetime, you can change or revoke the trust at any time, and when you die, what's in the trust passes directly to your beneficiaries without a court proceeding. It also addresses incapacity in a way a will cannot – if you become unable to manage your affairs, your successor trustee can step in without involving a judge. For the right person, a living trust is one of the more practical tools in an estate plan.
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Living Wills
If you were ever in a situation where you couldn't speak for yourself, would your family know what you'd want? More importantly, would they have anything in writing to back it up? A living will, formally called a directive to physicians in Texas, puts your wishes about end-of-life medical care on record. It tells your doctors and your loved ones how you feel about life-sustaining treatment if you are terminally ill or in an irreversible condition. It doesn't make the decision for anyone – it gives them guidance when the weight of that moment is already heavy enough. Paired with a medical power of attorney, it forms the foundation of a complete plan for medical incapacity. It's a short document, but for the people who love you, it can make an enormously difficult situation a little clearer.
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Power of Attorney
A financial or medical crisis doesn't wait for the right moment. A Texas statutory durable power of attorney and a medical power of attorney designate someone you trust to act on your behalf for financial and healthcare decisions if you're ever unable to act for yourself. Without them, your family may face a burdensome court process to be able to act for you. With them, the person you choose can step in immediately and easily.
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Probate
Settling the estate of a deceased loved one is a real responsibility, and the Texas court process adds a layer of complexity most families haven't navigated before. Whether you're facing an independent administration, a muniment of title, an heirship determination, or something more complicated, we handle the legal process so you can focus on your family. We work in the Dallas County Probate Courts and other local county probate courts regularly and know how to move these matters forward efficiently.
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Revocable Trusts
A revocable trust and a living trust are the same thing – two names for the same instrument. You create it during your lifetime, you remain in control of the assets inside it, and you can amend or revoke it whenever you want. What it gives you that a will does not is the ability to transfer assets to your beneficiaries at death without going through probate, and a built-in mechanism for managing your affairs if you become incapacitated. If you have seen both terms and wondered whether they are different products, they are not. If you are considering whether one belongs in your estate plan, that is a good conversation to have with an attorney who can look at your full picture.
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Trusts
A will tells people what you want. A trust actually moves things along without a court getting involved. The type of trust we work with is a revocable living trust – you stay in control during your lifetime, you can change it at any time, and when you die, assets pass directly to your beneficiaries without probate. It also covers incapacity in a way a will cannot. It is not the right fit for everyone, but for families who want to avoid probate, plan for incapacity, or keep their affairs private, it is often the most practical option.
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Wills
A will says where you want your property to go after you pass, but a good will does more than just that. It names the people responsible for carrying out your wishes, may designate a guardian for minor children, and gives your family a reliable plan to follow. Without one, Texas law makes those decisions for you. We draft clear, legally sound wills tailored to your situation and Texas law to ensure your wishes are honored, beginning with the end in mind: making your family’s life easier during a difficult time.
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