Estate Planning – Preserve Your Legacy for the Next Generation
Coordinated strategies to ensure your wishes are honored
Estate planning goes beyond writing a will—it’s about making sure your wealth and legacy transfer smoothly, efficiently, and according to your wishes. At Synergy Wealth Management, our Houston-based advisors help you align your financial accounts, beneficiaries, and goals with your estate plan, working alongside your attorney for a seamless process. By planning ahead, you can protect loved ones, avoid unnecessary complications, and provide peace of mind for the future.
This page explores the essential components of estate planning, strategies for efficient wealth transfer, and how Synergy partners with legal professionals to create a lasting legacy.
Covering More Than Just a Will
Essential building blocks for a complete estate plan
Wills & Trusts
Define how your assets should be distributed and managed.
Beneficiary Designations
Align retirement accounts and insurance policies with your estate plan.
Powers of Attorney
Authorize trusted individuals to make financial decisions if you’re unable.
Healthcare Directives
Provide clarity for medical decisions in case of incapacity.
Account Coordination
Ensure investment accounts and trusts reflect your overall estate strategy.
Smart Approaches to Leaving a Legacy
Guiding wealth to the right people, the right way
Wealth transfer is about intention and efficiency. Our advisors help you explore strategies that minimize stress for heirs, reduce probate complications, and create liquidity when it’s needed most. From setting up education funds and charitable giving accounts to using life insurance for inheritance equalization, Synergy ensures your legacy is aligned with your personal vision.
Partnering with Estate Attorneys for a Complete Plan
Financial planning and legal documentation working together
Attorneys draft the legal paperwork, while Synergy advisors ensure financial accounts and assets are properly aligned with those documents. For example, we make sure trusts are funded correctly and beneficiary designations reflect your estate plan. If you don’t yet have an attorney, we can connect you with one; if you do, we collaborate to ensure your financial and legal strategies remain consistent.
Preparing for Life’s Uncertainties
Safeguarding your wishes if you can’t make decisions
Estate planning isn’t only about distributing assets after death—it also protects you in case of incapacity. Through financial powers of attorney and healthcare directives, you can choose trusted individuals to step in if you’re unable to act. These documents reduce stress for your family and ensure your preferences are honored during difficult times.
Addressing Complex Family & Business Situations
Customized Estate Planning for Unique Needs
Every family dynamic is different. Blended families may need careful planning to balance inheritances. Families with special needs dependents often rely on trusts to ensure lifelong care. Business owners may require succession plans to pass companies on smoothly. Our advisors guide clients through these complexities and collaborate with specialists when needed.
Keeping Your Plan Current Over Time
Regular Reviews For a Living, Evolving Estate Plan
An estate plan is not “set it and forget it.” Life events like marriage, divorce, births, or major asset changes can make updates necessary. At Synergy, we proactively review your situation and suggest revisions to ensure your estate plan reflects your current circumstances. This ongoing attention helps prevent costly mistakes and keeps your wishes intact.
Estate Planning FAQs
Honest answers to common client questions
What does estate planning include besides a will?
Estate planning covers more than just a will. It also involves setting up trusts, designating beneficiaries for accounts, establishing powers of attorney, and creating healthcare directives. Together, these tools ensure that your financial and medical wishes are carried out, both during your lifetime and after.
Can my financial advisor help with estate planning, or do I need a lawyer?
Both play important roles. A financial advisor ensures that accounts, beneficiaries, and insurance align with your estate plan, while an attorney drafts the legal documents. Synergy Wealth Management collaborates closely with estate attorneys so your financial strategy and legal framework work together seamlessly.
How can I make sure my children inherit my assets smoothly?
The key is preparation. By using beneficiary designations, trusts, and properly titled accounts, you can ensure assets transfer directly without lengthy probate. Our advisors help coordinate these details so your children receive their inheritance quickly and in the way you intend.
How often should I update my estate plan?
Estate plans should be reviewed every few years or after major life changes such as marriage, divorce, births, deaths, or acquiring significant assets. Our team proactively checks in with clients to make sure their plans stay relevant, saving families from unintended outcomes.
Can estate planning help minimize taxes or avoid probate in Texas?
Yes, but the approach depends on your situation. While Texas does not have a state estate tax, federal estate tax may apply for larger estates. Proper use of trusts, beneficiary designations, and account titling can also help avoid probate delays. While we don’t provide tax advice, we coordinate with attorneys and tax professionals to implement efficient strategies.
