A practical workbook for Texas families who want to identify probate risks, organize important information, and see where their estate plan may need attention.
Use it to review how property is owned, how beneficiaries are named, which assets may still require probate, and where common planning problems may exist.
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Educational information only. Not legal advice.
Who This Workbook Is For
This workbook is designed for Texas adults who want to understand whether their current arrangements could create unnecessary probate, confusion, delay, or expense for their family.
It may be especially useful if:
- you own a home or other real estate;
- you have bank, investment, or retirement accounts;
- you have beneficiary designations in place;
- you have an older will or estate plan that has not been reviewed recently;
- you are unsure whether your current plan actually avoids probate;
- you want to organize your information before meeting with an attorney.
What You’ll Complete
The workbook walks you through several practical exercises:
- a probate-risk scorecard;
- a basic asset and ownership review;
- a beneficiary-designation review;
- a checklist of common estate-planning gaps;
- a comparison of common probate-avoidance tools;
- a short list of questions to consider before making changes.
The goal is not to turn you into your own estate-planning attorney. It is to help you identify the issues that deserve attention.
What the Workbook Can Help You Spot
As you work through it, you may identify issues such as:
- assets that could still require probate;
- beneficiary designations that do not match your overall plan;
- real estate ownership that may create avoidable problems;
- outdated or incomplete incapacity planning;
- accounts that pass differently than your will provides;
- situations where a trust, deed, beneficiary arrangement, or other planning tool may deserve consideration.
What to Do After You Finish It
Once you complete the workbook, you have two good next steps.
If you want to learn more before speaking with an attorney, watch the free estate-planning training.
If you already know that you want help reviewing or updating your plan, you can call 254-233-7300 to schedule a private consultation.
About Harvey L. Cox
Harvey L. Cox is a Waco estate planning attorney who has practiced law in Texas since 1990 and focuses his practice on estate planning and asset protection.
He helps Texas families coordinate wills, trusts, deeds, beneficiary designations, and incapacity planning so the different parts of the plan work together rather than conflict with one another.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the workbook really free?
Yes. There is no charge to download and use the Texas Probate Risk Workbook.
Is this a substitute for legal advice?
No. The workbook is educational. It helps you organize information and identify questions, but it does not tell you what legal plan is right for your particular situation.
What if I already have an estate plan?
The workbook can still be useful. Many planning problems arise because deeds, account ownership, beneficiary designations, or family circumstances changed after the original documents were signed.
Should my spouse complete the workbook too?
For many married couples, it makes sense to work through it together because ownership, beneficiary designations, and family goals often involve both spouses.
Does completing the workbook mean I need a trust?
No. A trust is one planning tool. Whether it makes sense depends on what you own, how it is titled, your family circumstances, and the problems you are trying to prevent.
What should I have with me while completing it?
If practical, have recent account statements, beneficiary information, real-estate information, and copies of existing estate-planning documents nearby. You do not need to enter sensitive information such as passwords, Social Security numbers, or full account numbers.
Educational Information Only
The Texas Probate Risk Workbook and the information on this page are provided for educational purposes and do not create an attorney-client relationship. Estate-planning decisions should be based on your specific circumstances and current Texas law.