Do I need a trust in Texas?

For most families with real estate, business interests, or estates above a modest threshold, a revocable living trust is a strong foundation. When properly funded, it generally avoids probate, keeps your affairs private, and simplifies administration for your loved ones. For smaller, simpler estates, a well-drafted will-based plan can be equally effective. The right choice depends on what you own, how it's titled, and your goals.

What is the difference between a will and a trust?

A will directs the distribution of your assets after death but must pass through probate. A revocable living trust holds assets during your lifetime and transfers them to beneficiaries at death without probate, offering greater privacy and simpler administration. Most comprehensive estate plans use both.

Does Texas have an estate tax?

Texas does not impose a state estate tax. However, estates above the federal exemption threshold may be subject to the federal estate tax. Proactive planning using trusts, gifting strategies, and other techniques can help reduce or defer that liability.

How often should I update my estate plan?

Plans should be reviewed every three to five years, or sooner after major life events such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, a significant change in assets, or the death of a named beneficiary. Tax law changes can also warrant a review.

Olive Branch Counsel, PLLC

Who We Are

About Olive Branch Counsel

A Texas-based estate and tax planning law firm focused on helping individuals and families protect what matters most.

Explore Our Services

About the Firm

What sets Olive Branch Counsel apart is the depth of experience we bring to every engagement — and the personal attention we give to every client. Our practice is shaped by decades in private family office advising, big-firm legal counsel, and financial planning, combined in a boutique setting where you always know who is handling your matter. We believe estate and tax planning works best when it is proactive, clear, and built around your life — not a template. Whether you are planning for the first time or refining a complex structure, we are here to guide you with honesty, precision, and genuine care.

Our People

Meet the Team

The Olive Branch Counsel team is committed to providing clear, attentive legal guidance to every client we serve. Our approach is thoughtful, detail-oriented, and grounded in trust.

Ral Mazza

Partner

Ral Mazza brings more than two decades of estate and tax planning experience to every client engagement. Before founding Olive Branch Counsel, PLLC, he served as a Vice President in the Private Family Office at Goldman Sachs, advising individuals and families on sophisticated wealth transfer and trust strategies. A long-time Plano resident, Ral has been a licensed attorney since 2007 and holds an LL.M. in Taxation from New York University — one of the most rigorous credentials in estate and tax law. He was admitted to the Texas Bar in 2025 and works with families at every stage of life and planning.

Education

LL.M., Taxation – New York University
J.D. – University of Tulsa
B.S., Accounting – Oklahoma State University

Bar Admissions

Texas, 2025
New York, 2007

Grant Aguirre

Partner

Grant Aguirre has more than twenty years of experience serving as general counsel in both the private and public sectors. Over the course of his career, he has advised organizations on complex legal and strategic matters, helping leadership teams navigate litigation, regulatory issues, and operational risk. His experience includes complex litigation, employment law, and intellectual property, where he has worked closely with businesses to manage disputes, address workplace matters, and protect valuable intellectual assets.

Education

Ph.D., Marketing – New Mexico State University
J.D. – Oklahoma City University School of Law

Bar Admissions

Oklahoma, 2005

Jason Gurvitz

Chief Operating Officer

Jason Gurvitz, CFP®, serves as Chief Operating Officer of Olive Branch Counsel, PLLC, overseeing firm operations and ensuring every client engagement runs smoothly from first conversation through final document delivery. He brings a financial planning perspective that complements the firm’s legal counsel and draws on his experience working alongside Ral at Goldman Sachs’ Private Family Office.

Education

M.S. in Personal Financial Planning – Texas Tech
B.S., Computer Science – Western Illinois University

Credentials

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

Ready to Get Started?

Protecting your family’s future starts with a conversation. Reach out today — we’d love to hear from you.

5600 Tennyson Parkway, Suite 180 · Plano, TX 75024
contact@olivebranchcounsel.com · (945) 758-9908