Estate Planning Attorneys in McKinney, TX

R. Dean Davenport is an estate planning and probate lawyer in McKinney, Texas providing services to clients in the greater Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. R. Dean Davenport Attorney at Law advises and represents Texas clients on issues related to asset protection, estate probate, guardianship, and estate planning matters, helping to assure that estate assets are distributed according to their intentions after death, including the management and distribution of assets held in trust during their lifetime. Mr. Davenport's estate planning practice focuses on helping to minimize the risk of unexpected estate probate litigation and estate liabilities through the preparation of wills, trusts, healthcare directives, financial and medical power of attorneys, living wills, and guardianship arrangements for cognitively incapacitated or disabled family members and minor children. Mr. Davenport also represents clients in probate and guardianship proceedings in Texas. He has successfully litigated probate and guardianship matters in various Texas counties and his experience in these matters helps him identify many legal issues that require resolution prior to the court hearing, helping to minimize litigation costs. R. Dean Davenport holds graduate degrees from Baylor University (M.A., Ph.D.) and Texas Tech University School of Law (J.D.). He graduated from law school in 2009 and was admitted to the State Bar of Texas the following year. Mr. Davenport entered the private practice of law in 2012 and continues to teach undergraduate university courses in the areas of ethics and business law. He is also a member of the American Bar Association, the Collin County Bar Association, the Texas Center for Legal Ethics, and The College of the State Bar of Texas. - Texas Wills and Estate Plans - The majority of Texas estate plans typically include a Last Will and Testament as well as a number of other financial and healthcare documents. An irrevocable or revocable trust also may be used to help avoid probate. In the event of incapacity, an estate plan also may help eliminate the need to appoint a guardian of the estate. Another consideration is who should be included in healthcare decision making. Every estate plan is unique, but everyone should have a valid Last Will and Testament. Estate planning does not have to be complex in order to be effective, but planning for the future should be Chess, not Checkers. - Estate Probate and Administration - The probate process is the legal method used for transferring assets and discharging debts of an estate. Many assets can be transferred without having to initiate a probate proceeding. Probate is usually necessary when a person dies without a will and/or has not made arrangements for what should happen to their property after their death. The type of probate required often depends on the nature and extent of the assets as well as the amount of debt involved.