A print-friendly workbook to help you spot probate-risk gaps and get organized before you talk to an attorney.
- Checklists to identify common probate traps
- A quick decision guide (will vs. trust vs. beneficiary/TOD tools)
- A Probate-Risk Scorecard (10 questions)
- A household Asset Map (so you can see how things are titled)
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Educational information only. Not legal advice.
Who this is for
This Starter Kit is for Texas families who want to:
- reduce probate delays and paperwork
- keep more family information private
- avoid common titling/beneficiary mistakes
- create a coordinated plan (documents + titles + beneficiaries)
What you’ll receive
In about 15–20 minutes, you’ll complete:
- The 5 Most Common Probate Traps checklist
- Quick Decision Guide (general guidance)
- Probate-Risk Scorecard (0–10)
- Asset Map (real estate, bank, brokerage, retirement, insurance, business interests)
Important notice
This Starter Kit provides general educational information, not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Probate and estate planning outcomes depend on your facts, your assets, and how things are titled and coordinated.
If your situation involves a blended family, special needs planning, high conflict risk, significant business interests, or complex assets, use this workbook to identify issues—then get individualized Texas legal guidance.
What to do after you download it
Recommended next step (free training):
Wills and Trusts: How to Avoid the 3 Biggest Mistakes
This short training explains the most common coordination problems I see (documents, titles, and beneficiaries) and what to do next.
About the attorney
Harvey L. Cox is a Texas estate planning attorney in Waco. His practice focuses on helping families avoid probate where appropriate and coordinate trusts, deeds, and beneficiary designations so your plan works when it matters.
FAQ
Is this legal advice?
No. This is general educational information.
Do I need a trust to avoid probate in Texas?
Not always. Many plans use a combination of tools. The key is coordination.
Will a will avoid probate?
Generally, no. A will typically guides the probate process; it does not avoid it.
What if I already have a will or trust?
Great—use the Scorecard and Asset Map to see whether your assets are aligned with your documents.
Law Office of Harvey L. Cox (Waco, Texas)
Educational information only. Not legal advice.