Estate planning that protects your family, not just paperwork

Austin families trust Cedar & Vale to create comprehensive estate plans that prevent probate delays, minimize taxes, and ensure your wishes are honored.

67% of Texans lack an estate plan
12–18 mo average probate duration
5% Texas statutory probate cost
Austin Travis County Practice

Texas Probate Cost Calculator

See exactly what probate will cost your family, and how much a trust-based estate plan can save.

$750K
2 beneficiaries

Cost Comparison

Probate path: Independent administration

Will-Based Plan Total
$37,500
12–18 months
Trust-Based Plan Total
$8,500
3–4 months

Estimated Lifetime Savings

$29,000

With a trust-based plan11 months faster

View detailed cost breakdown

Will-Based Plan

    Trust-Based Plan

      Estate Planning Services

      Comprehensive protection for Austin families and business owners.

      Living Trusts

      Avoid probate entirely. Your assets transfer to beneficiaries in weeks, not months, without court involvement.

      • Revocable living trusts
      • Asset funding and retitling
      • Pour-over wills
      • Incapacity planning

      Wills & Probate

      When a will-based plan makes sense, we draft it correctly. If you're facing probate, we handle the entire process.

      • Independent executor wills
      • Probate administration
      • Muniment of title
      • Heirship determinations

      Business Succession

      Protect your business and ensure smooth ownership transitions for LLCs, partnerships, and family businesses.

      • Buy-sell agreements
      • Operating agreement provisions
      • Key person insurance
      • Succession roadmaps

      Tax Planning

      Minimize estate and gift taxes with strategic planning for high-net-worth estates.

      • Irrevocable life insurance trusts
      • Charitable trusts (CRT, CLT)
      • Annual exclusion gifting
      • Valuation discount strategies

      Powers of Attorney

      Ensure someone you trust can make financial and medical decisions if you're incapacitated.

      • Durable power of attorney
      • Medical power of attorney
      • HIPAA authorizations
      • Living wills / directives

      Special Needs Planning

      Protect government benefits while providing for loved ones with disabilities.

      • Special needs trusts (SNT)
      • ABLE accounts
      • Guardianship alternatives
      • Benefit preservation strategies

      How We Work

      A clear, predictable process from consultation to signed documents.

      1

      Free Consultation

      We'll review your situation, explain your options, and provide a fixed-fee quote. No pressure, no obligation.

      2

      Asset Inventory

      You'll complete our detailed questionnaire covering your assets, family structure, and goals. We handle the complexity.

      3

      Document Drafting

      We prepare your trust, will, powers of attorney, and supporting documents. You'll review drafts before signing.

      4

      Signing & Funding

      We coordinate signing (with notary and witnesses), then guide you through retitling assets into your trust.

      Austin Estate Planning Attorney

      Cedar & Vale Estate Law focuses exclusively on estate planning, probate, and business succession for Travis County families and business owners.

      Unlike general practice firms that treat estate planning as a side service, we've built our practice around one thing: protecting what you've built and ensuring your family is taken care of when it matters most.

      We don't bill by the hour. Every engagement is a fixed fee quoted upfront, so you know exactly what your plan will cost before we start.

      Our clients include young families setting up their first wills, business owners planning succession, and high-net-worth individuals managing complex estates across multiple states.

      Professional Background

      • Licensed to practice in Texas
      • Travis County Probate Court experience
      • Member, Austin Estate Planning Council
      • Continuing education in tax & trust law
      • Fixed-fee pricing (never hourly billing)

      Ready to Protect Your Family?

      Schedule a free consultation. We'll review your situation, explain your options, and provide a fixed-fee quote on the spot.

      Book a Consultation