Before proceeding, please review the  legal disclaimer.

Will&Trust: Why You Need Both to Protect Your Legacy

If you’ve started thinking about estate planning, you’ve probably heard people talk about needing a will&trust. While wills and trusts are different legal tools, together they can form a powerful, comprehensive plan to protect your assets and your loved ones.

At The Lange Firm, we help Texas families create estate plans that are both legally strong and personally tailored. A proper will&trust plan can give you control, privacy, and peace of mind—whether you’re planning for retirement, your children’s future, or the unexpected.

What Is a Will&Trust?

A will&trust is a combination of two key estate planning documents:

• A will: Specifies how your assets should be distributed after your death and names guardians for minor children.
  
  
• A trust: Holds your assets during your lifetime (and beyond) and allows for easier, private distribution without court involvement.
  
  

Together, a will&trust provides a complete roadmap for managing your estate before and after your passing.

Why a Will Alone Isn’t Enough

While a will is essential, it must go through probate, which can be:

• Time-consuming (several months or more)
  
  
• Costly (court and attorney fees)
  
  
• Public (probate filings are public record)
  
  

A will also doesn’t manage your assets if you become incapacitated. That’s where the trust component of a will&trust comes in—to keep things running smoothly with less court involvement.

Why a Trust Alone Isn’t Enough

If you only have a trust, you may still need a will because:

• A trust doesn’t name guardians for minor children
  
  
• You need a pour-over will to transfer any leftover assets into your trust
  
  
• It helps cover anything you forget to title into the trust
  
  

A will&trust strategy ensures that nothing slips through the cracks.

Benefits of a Will&Trust in Texas

Creating a will&trust through The Lange Firm provides many benefits, including:

• ✅ Avoiding probate court delays and expenses
  
  
• ✅ Keeping your affairs private (trusts aren’t public records)
  
  
• ✅ Controlling how and when assets are distributed
  
  
• ✅ Protecting young beneficiaries or those with special needs
  
  
• ✅ Naming trusted guardians for your children
  
  
• ✅ Providing guidance during incapacity through a revocable trust
  
  

How a Will&Trust Works in Practice

Here’s how a typical will&trust estate plan functions:

1. You create a revocable living trust and transfer your key assets into it.
   
   
2. You write a will that covers guardianship, minor assets, and anything not placed in the trust.
   
   
3. If you become incapacitated, the trustee can step in and manage things—no court order needed.
   
   
4. When you pass away, the trust assets go directly to beneficiaries without probate, and your will acts as a backup.
   
   

At The Lange Firm, we ensure this process is smooth, understandable, and fully customized to your needs.

Who Needs a Will&Trust?

You should consider a will&trust if you:

• Own property or have significant assets
  
  
• Are part of a blended family
  
  
• Have minor children or dependents
  
  
• Want to avoid probate and maintain privacy
  
  
• Are planning for long-term care
  
  
• Have a business or own multiple properties
  
  
• Want more control over how your wealth is used after you’re gone
  
  

Even if you think your estate is “simple,” The Lange Firm can help you assess whether a will&trust is the right fit for you.

What Happens Without a Will&Trust in Texas?

If you don’t have a will&trust in place:

• The state decides who inherits your property (according to intestate succession laws)
  
  
• Your family must go through probate to access your assets
  
  
• You lose the ability to control who gets what and when
  
  
• You risk disputes, delays, and unnecessary stress for your loved ones
  
  

Avoiding these problems is one of the greatest gifts you can leave behind—and The Lange Firm is here to help you do just that.

How The Lange Firm Helps with Will&Trust Planning

At The Lange Firm, we provide:

• Personalized consultations to understand your goals
  
  
• Drafting of wills, trusts, and powers of attorney
  
  
• Trust funding guidance (so your plan actually works)
  
  
• Assistance with blended family and special needs planning
  
  
• Transparent pricing and easy-to-understand advice
  
  

📞 Schedule your will&trust consultation today and let The Lange Firm help secure your future.

Final Thoughts

A will&trust isn’t just a legal form—it’s a proactive plan for protecting everything you’ve worked hard for. From avoiding probate to providing for loved ones, a complete estate plan ensures your voice is heard long after you’re gone.

✅ Don’t leave your legacy up to chance. Call The Lange Firm and start building your will&trust plan today.