Wills and Trusts Attorney in Katy, TX

Planning Today So Your Family Is Protected Tomorrow

You may be thinking about what would happen to your family, your home, or your savings if something unexpected occurred. A clear, legally sound will or trust can give you and your loved ones direction instead of uncertainty. At Barker Law Firm PC, we help people in Katy put those plans in place with confidence.

Our team is led by attorney Georgia Barker, a long-time Texas resident with more than 30 years of experience in family, estate, and elder law. We take the time to understand your goals and concerns, then work with you to build a plan that fits your real life, not a generic form.

Whether you are creating your first will, considering a trust, or updating documents after a major life change, we guide you through each step so you know what you are signing and why it matters.

Speak with our wills and trusts attorneys today—schedule a consultation online or call (713) 597-3911 to discuss your estate plan.

Why Families in Katy Turn to Our Firm for Wills & Trusts

Choosing someone to help with your estate plan is about more than documents. It is about trusting a legal team with your family’s future. Many clients come to us after trying to sort through online information on their own and feeling more confused than when they started. They want a steady, informed guide who understands both Texas law and family dynamics in this area.

At Barker Law Firm PC, we bring together decades of experience in family law, estate planning, and elder law. This combination matters. Questions about inheritance often overlap with issues such as divorce, blended families, long-term care, and guardianship. Because we handle these types of matters regularly, we are prepared to anticipate problems and help you address them in advance.

Attorney Barker works directly with our clients, supported by our experienced team. When you meet with us, you are not just another file. We listen closely to the details of your situation, including relationships that may be sensitive or complicated. Our goal is to help you create a plan that feels realistic, respectful, and workable for the people you care about most.

We are rooted in Katy and understand how local families live, work, and care for one another. Over the years, our wills and trusts lawyer has built a reputation for personalized service and ethical, high-quality legal work. Attorney Barker is a Fellow Member of the Texas State Bar College, which reflects her commitment to ongoing legal education, and she is also a trained mediator. This background supports our focus on planning that reduces conflict and helps families move forward with clarity.

How Thoughtful Wills & Trusts Protect Your Family

Many people know they should have a will, but are not sure what that really means under Texas law. A will is a written document that states who should receive your property when you pass away. It also allows you to name an executor to manage your estate and, if you have minor children, to nominate a guardian to care for them.

If you die without a will, Texas intestacy laws generally decide who receives your assets. Those rules may not reflect your wishes, especially in blended families, second marriages, or situations where you want to provide differently for certain children or relatives. A well-prepared will lets you make those decisions instead of leaving them to default rules.

A trust is a planning tool that allows you to place certain property under the management of a trustee for the benefit of one or more beneficiaries. Trusts can be used during your lifetime or at your death, depending on how they are designed. For some families, a trust is helpful for managing assets over time, providing for loved ones with special needs, or simplifying the process that your beneficiaries go through after you are gone.

Not everyone needs a trust, and not every family can rely on a simple will alone. The right approach depends on your assets, your goals, the ages and circumstances of your beneficiaries, and your comfort level with different options. When you work with a wills and trusts lawyer Katy residents rely on, you can talk through these variables with someone who understands how they play out under Texas law.

Common planning situations we address include:

• Blended families: Parents who want to provide for a current spouse while also protecting inheritances for children from a prior relationship.
• Minor children: Families who want to name guardians and control when and how children receive money rather than giving them full access at age 18.
• Adult children with challenges: Loved ones who live with disabilities, mental health conditions, or money management issues and need additional structure.
• Gifts to charities or friends: Wishes that would not be reflected accurately under default intestacy rules.

In each of these situations, the value is not only in the document itself but in the conversations and decisions that support it. We walk you through those decisions step by step so your will or trust reflects what truly matters to you.

Our Estate Planning Process: Clear Steps From First Call to Signed Plan

Uncertainty about the process is one reason many people delay creating a will or trust. You might wonder what information you will need, how many meetings it will take, or whether you will understand the language in the documents. Our process is designed to answer those questions clearly and to move at a pace that works for you.

When you contact our office in Katy, we schedule an initial consultation in person or virtually, depending on your needs. During that meeting, we ask about your family, your health concerns, your assets, and what you want to see happen if you become unable to make decisions or after you pass away. Many people arrive unsure what they want. That is normal. Our role is to ask the right questions and help you think through your options.

After we have a picture of your situation, we discuss which planning tools may make sense for you. For some clients, a will-centered plan is appropriate. Others benefit from a combination of a will and one or more trusts. Working with a wills and trusts attorney Katy families know and trust can give you the context to compare these paths and choose the one that fits best.

We then move into drafting and review. You receive documents in plain language, and we schedule time to go over them together. We encourage you to ask questions about anything that is not clear. Our goal is for you to understand what each document does and how it fits into the bigger picture of your plan.

Key decisions we help you make include:

• Guardianship for children: Who would you trust to care for your minor children if you could not?
• Executors and trustees: Individuals or institutions who will manage your estate or trust and carry out your instructions.
• Beneficiary choices and timing: Who receives what, and whether gifts are distributed outright or over time.
• Powers of attorney: Who can make financial and legal decisions for you if you cannot act for yourself?
• Healthcare directives: Who can speak with doctors on your behalf and what kinds of medical decisions they may make.

Once your documents are finalized, we arrange for proper signing under Texas requirements. We also talk with you about where to keep your documents and who should know about them. Many clients choose to return to us when life changes occur, such as a marriage, divorce, birth, or move.

Because we serve clients in the Katy area and surrounding communities, we can combine virtual convenience with local familiarity. You have access to our team when questions arise, and we work to keep you informed at every step so you do not feel left in the dark about your own plan.

Planning for Real-Life Situations in Katy Families

Every family has its own history, strengths, and challenges. Estate planning is most effective when it accounts for those realities instead of ignoring them. Our background in family law and elder law means we regularly help clients address situations that can be emotionally complex as well as legally detailed.

For example, many clients in this area have experienced divorce and later remarriage. They may want to provide for a current spouse while also protecting inheritances for children from a previous relationship. A will alone may not always achieve those goals. We can discuss trust structures and beneficiary designations that better match what you want for each person in your life.

We also work with adult children who are helping aging parents think through long-term care and end-of-life decisions. In these cases, it is important to coordinate powers of attorney, medical directives, and estate plans so that decision-makers are clearly identified and supported. Our elder law experience helps us recognize how these pieces interact and how they may be viewed by Texas courts or healthcare providers.

Some families own small businesses, rental homes, or other local property. In those cases, we consider how ownership is structured, who might operate the business or manage the property in the future, and what issues may arise. We address these topics within the estate plan where appropriate, so your assets are not left in a confusing state for your heirs.

Planning is not only about what happens after death. It also includes preparing for the possibility of incapacity. If you become unable to manage your affairs, clear financial and medical powers of attorney can reduce the chance that your loved ones will need to pursue a court proceeding. We explain how these documents work in Texas and help you choose people who are willing and able to serve in those roles.

Our mediation training and emphasis on respectful communication inform how we draft and discuss your plan. Clear language, thoughtful choices about who serves in key roles, and realistic instructions can all reduce the likelihood of disputes among family members. When we design wills and trusts with these principles in mind, we work to protect not only financial assets but also important relationships.

Because many residents of Katy have probate matters handled through Harris County or Fort Bend County, we are familiar with the procedures and practical considerations involved. This helps us talk honestly with you about what your loved ones are likely to experience when your plan is eventually carried out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a will, a trust, or both for my situation?

The right plan depends on your assets, family structure, and goals. Some people are well served by a will-centered plan, while others benefit from adding one or more trusts. In our consultation, we review your circumstances and explain how each option could work under Texas law.

How long does it usually take to put a will or trust in place?

The timeline varies with complexity and how quickly decisions are made. Many straightforward plans can be completed within several weeks from the first meeting to signing. We explain the steps upfront and keep you updated so you know what to expect.

Can you help update an old Texas will that no longer fits my life?

Yes. We frequently review and revise older wills after events such as divorce, remarriage, new children, or changes in assets. We compare your existing documents to your current goals and recommend updates or new documents that better reflect your life today.

How will you help reduce the chance of conflict between my family members?

We focus on clear language, realistic choices, and open discussion of sensitive topics. Our background in family law and training in mediation help us identify potential friction points. We then work with you to structure your plan in ways that may lower the risk of disputes.

What should I bring to our first meeting about a will or trust?

It is helpful to bring a general list of assets, copies of any existing estate documents, and names of people you might want in key roles. You do not need everything perfectly organized. We help you sort through the details and identify what additional information is needed.

Talk With Our Team About Your Will or Trust

Taking the first step toward a will or trust can feel significant, especially if you have put it off for years. Meeting with a knowledgeable legal team in Katy can turn that worry into a clear plan that reflects your wishes and supports the people you care about most.

When you contact Barker Law Firm PC, you work directly with attorney Georgia Barker and our dedicated team. We bring more than three decades of experience, deep community roots, and a practical, client-focused approach to every estate plan. Our goal is to help you understand your options, make informed choices, and leave with documents that give you peace of mind.

We offer both in-office and virtual consultations for individuals and families in Katy and nearby communities. You are welcome to bring your questions, your concerns, and your ideas. We will listen carefully and walk you through the process so you know exactly what comes next.

Take the next step toward securing your estate—schedule a consultation online or call (713) 597-3911 today to speak with our wills and trusts attorneys.