Services
Estate Planning Attorney Serving Dallas, Texas
Olive Branch Counsel advises Dallas-area individuals and families on estate planning, trust structures, and tax-efficient wealth transfer strategies.
Estate Planning for Dallas Families and Professionals
Dallas is a city of entrepreneurs, executives, and multi-generational families with complex financial lives. Olive Branch Counsel, PLLC serves Dallas-area clients who need estate planning that goes beyond a simple will — integrating trust structures, tax strategy, and long-term wealth transfer planning into a cohesive plan.
Our practice is focused exclusively on estate planning and tax planning, which means we bring a higher level of technical depth to every engagement. We are not a generalist firm. We concentrate on the areas where precision matters most — helping clients design plans that are durable, tax-efficient, and aligned with their goals.
Why Estate Planning Matters
An estate plan is not a one-time document — it is an ongoing framework that should evolve alongside your financial situation and family circumstances. For Dallas families with real estate, investment accounts, business interests, or out-of-state assets, a well-structured plan can mean the difference between a smooth transition and years of unnecessary cost and conflict.
Texas community property laws affect how assets acquired during marriage are classified and transferred. For clients with blended families, significant individual property, or assets in multiple states, this adds a layer of complexity that requires careful legal analysis. We help clients understand how these rules apply to their specific situation and structure plans accordingly.
Services We Provide
- Wills and testamentary trusts
- Revocable living trusts
- Irrevocable trusts for tax and asset protection planning
- Financial and medical powers of attorney
- Advance healthcare directives
- Charitable and philanthropic planning
- Multi-generational wealth transfer planning
Clients We Work With
We advise a range of Dallas-area clients, including executives, business owners, medical and legal professionals, and families navigating significant wealth transfers. Many clients seek us out specifically because of our tax planning background — they want an estate planning attorney who understands how the estate plan interacts with income tax, gift tax, and business structuring.
Our firm’s background includes advising ultra-high-net-worth families through Goldman Sachs’ Private Family Office, and our attorney holds an NYU LL.M. in Taxation — credentials that reflect the level of technical rigor we apply to every client relationship.
Serving Clients in Dallas
Olive Branch Counsel is located in Plano and serves clients throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, including Dallas, Highland Park, University Park, Preston Hollow, and the surrounding communities. We offer consultations by appointment and welcome clients who prefer to meet in person or via video conference.
If you have questions about estate planning or would like to explore whether our approach is a good fit for your situation, we invite you to contact our office to schedule a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a trust in Texas?
Many individuals benefit from a revocable living trust to simplify administration and avoid probate, although a will-based plan may be appropriate in certain cases. The right structure depends on the size and complexity of your estate, your family situation, and your goals. We help clients evaluate these options and choose the approach that best fits their circumstances.
How often should an estate plan be updated?
Estate plans should typically 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 or trustee. Tax law changes can also warrant a review of existing plans.
What is the difference between a will and a trust?
A will is a legal document that directs the distribution of your assets after death and must pass through probate. A revocable living trust holds assets during your lifetime and transfers them to beneficiaries at death without going through probate, offering greater privacy and often simpler administration. Both documents serve important but distinct roles, and many 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. For high-net-worth individuals and families, proactive planning using trusts, gifting strategies, and other techniques can help reduce or defer federal estate tax liability.
Schedule a Consultation
We welcome the opportunity to learn about your planning needs. Contact our office to schedule a consultation and discuss how we can help.