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Estate Planning for
the Life You Actually Have
Have you been meaning to create a Will or Living Trust but haven't found the time?
Get peace of mind knowing your people and your wishes are taken care of—with a process that feels clear and manageable from the first conversation.
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How It Works
Watch this 30-second video to see what working with us looks like, start to finish.
Dramatization/Actor Portrayal
Start With Your Why
You don't have to know what you need. You just need somewhere to begin. Which of these sounds like your life?
Texas already has a plan for you—and your partner may not be in it.If Texas doesn't recognize you as spouses, building a life together doesn't automatically give your partner the decision-making or inheritance rights people assume come with the relationship. The default rules follow legal relationships, and the person who knows you best may not be on that list. Planning lets you say: here's my person, here's who I trust, here's who I want involved. You don't need a wedding to fix this.
Your list, your people—not someone else's idea of family.For many LGBTQ+ Texans, and plenty of people outside the LGBTQ+ community, the people who function as family don't fit neatly on a family tree. Your emergency contact might be the best friend you've known for twenty-five years. The person you'd want making a medical decision might not be related to you at all. Estate planning gives legal recognition to the relationships that matter to you. Because the people you love deserve more than a default.
So nobody has to guess what you intended.Yours, mine, ours—and stepkids you've raised as your own. The legal definition of family and the emotional one don't always line up: a stepchild doesn't automatically inherit from a stepparent under Texas law. Planning closes that gap. And blended families often hold several priorities at once—caring for a spouse, making sure what you built reaches your kids, treating everyone fairly, or choosing not to divide things equally for reasons that are yours. All of that is fair to talk about.
The most important part has nothing to do with money.If something happened to both of you, who would you want to step in? Parents get stuck because they think they need the perfect answer first. Sometimes there isn't one—your sister shares your values but lives far away; your parents are wonderful but you're thinking about their age. Those are things we talk through together. You're making a plan for the family you have right now, and it can change as your life does.
You're allowed to bring it up.You're already the one mom calls about the insurance bill. You're already helping dad with online accounts. It doesn't have to start with "we need to talk about what happens when you die." It can be: "If you ever needed help, would I know where everything is?" Peace of mind often starts with one small conversation—and these subjects get lighter once somebody opens the door. Getting your own plan in place while you're at it counts too.
Understanding your plan isn't optional—in either language.Maybe the adult children are comfortable in English but mom or dad understands important decisions better in Spanish. Maybe you work in English all day, but when the conversation turns to family, health, money, and who you trust, you want it in the language you think and feel in. Bilingual support is available for Spanish-speaking families, because signing documents you don't really understand is not peace of mind.
Who makes decisions. Who receives what. Your call.Without a plan, Texas decides who would speak for you and who would inherit, based on a list the state wrote. A plan lets you choose—a close friend for medical decisions, a sibling for finances, the people and causes you actually want to receive what you have. You don't need to be wealthy or partnered for this to matter. You need your wishes in writing.
You're not supposed to know the terminology.First: we're sorry. You don't need to figure out whether something is "probate" before reaching out. Sometimes a situation requires the court; sometimes there's another way. That's what the conversation is for. Your first job after a loss is not to become an expert in Texas estate law. Show up with the pieces you have—a will found in a drawer, a house, or nothing at all—and we start there, one step at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Attorney Travis Gasper’s estate planning practice focuses on helping individuals and families make important decisions today to avoid unnecessary pain and conflict tomorrow. He understands how complicated the estate planning process can be and guides his clients to ensure that their loved ones are taken care of and their final wishes are carried out.
Travis received a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science from the University of Colorado Denver, a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Political Science–Constitutional Law Studies from the University of Texas at Dallas, and a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Texas A&M University School of Law. He is admitted to practice law in Texas.
When he's not helping Texans plan for their futures, Travis enjoys traveling, Tex-Mex, and playing with his two rescue dogs, Pandora and Vanjie. He and his husband live in Dallas' Oak Cliff neighborhood.
Estate planning is the process of putting your wishes in writing so the people you love know what to do—both if something happens to you during your lifetime and after you're gone. It covers who would make medical and financial decisions for you if you couldn't, who would raise your children, and how what you own reaches the people you choose. Done well, it's less about documents and more about clarity for your future decision-makers.
It depends on your situation, which is why we don't quote a number before we've talked. Estate planning isn't one size fits all, and we'd rather give you an accurate answer than a guess. We walk through our flat fees and our process in detail at your Peace of Mind Planning Session, after we've gone over your options together. That's the one place we discuss fees.What we can tell you now: we charge flat fees, not hourly, so you know your full investment before you commit. We also stand behind our work—if you're not happy, we'll make it right or refund your money. And we'll only recommend planning with us if it makes sense for you.
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No! This is the biggest myth out there. Estate planning is in no way related to how much money you have, whether you are married, or whether you are a parent.
Estate planning is putting legal documents in place that ensure your assets will go to the people you want, the way you want, when you are no longer here. It’s about making this as easy as possible on your loved ones during an otherwise difficult time—and we all care about that, no matter how much (or little) money we have.
It’s also about appointing people to manage your property and make health care decisions for you if you are incapacitated—something that matters to all of us, regardless of wealth or status.
Estate planning is state-specific, so you should work with an attorney licensed where you live. We're licensed in Texas. If you live in Texas, we can help. If you don't, reach out anyway—we're happy to refer you to an attorney licensed in your state.
You can. Keep in mind that Legal Zoom and law firms are two different things. They provide two different services. That's why the cost is different. Legal Zoom offers form documents you fill out and execute yourself. They are not a law firm and do not give legal advice. An attorney, on the other hand, counsels you and gives you legal advice based on your specific circumstances. They will customize your documents, ensure they are signed with the proper formalities, and pick up the phone when you call with questions. If these things are important to you, you should work with an attorney. If they are not, Legal Zoom may be a better option.
Our process is designed to feel clear and manageable, with your documents signed about 4–6 weeks after your first meeting:• Your Peace of Mind Planning Session. You'll fill out a secure online questionnaire (the Family Profile) beforehand so we can make the most of our time together. In this Zoom session you'll learn about your options and our flat fees. When you're ready to move forward, we'll email you an engagement letter and invoice to sign and pay online.• Your Estate Plan Design Meeting. This is where we design your plan together, working from your Family Profile. We'll draft your documents and send them for your review about two weeks later, then make any changes you'd like.• Your Signing Ceremony. You'll sign your documents with the proper legal formalities, in front of two witnesses and a notary, at our office or your home. After that, we offer a complimentary annual review so your plan keeps up with your life.
Our process is designed to have your estate planning documents signed 4–6 weeks after your Peace of Mind Planning Session. It depends in part on your schedule and how long it takes for you to review your draft documents.
When you're ready—whether at your Peace of Mind Planning Session or later—just let us know. We'll send an engagement letter through Adobe Sign and an invoice through LawPay, our secure online payment provider. Once those are done, you'll schedule your Estate Plan Design Meeting.
Let's start with what we don't need: we don't need social security numbers, bank statements, or tax returns. We do need to know about the assets you own (like your house, retirement account, life insurance, etc.), their approximate value, and how they are titled (jointly, individually, etc.). Otherwise, we simply need answers to questions about your personal estate planning preferences, such as:Who would you want raising your minor children if something happened to you and your spouse/partner?Who would you want to be in charge of your children’s money until they are old enough to manage it themselves?Who would you want making medical and financial decisions for you in the event of your incapacity?You don't need the answers to these right away. You'll have time to think them through during the process, and we'll help.
Mostly no. Wills and trusts need to be signed in person, in front of two witnesses and a notary (which we provide), or they may not be legally valid. The witnesses confirm you're signing freely and with a clear mind; the notary confirms you are who you say you are. Some supporting documents, like powers of attorney, can be signed with remote online notarization in certain circumstances, and we'll let you know when that's an option. Any future changes to your documents need the same formalities.
Gasper Law is a flat-fee estate planning firm based in Oak Cliff, Dallas, serving families across Texas. We plan for the life you actually have—married couples, unmarried partners, LGBTQ+ Texans, chosen family, blended families, multigenerational families, single people, and Spanish-speaking families, with bilingual support available. Travis founded the firm so that estate planning could feel clear and human instead of overwhelming, and so nobody would have to translate their life into a more traditional version before walking through the door.
Probate is the court process for settling someone's affairs after they die—confirming a will, appointing someone to handle the estate, and distributing what's left. In Texas, probate is often more manageable than its reputation, especially with a well-drafted will that allows for independent administration. Some assets, like accounts with named beneficiaries or property held in a trust, pass outside probate entirely.Whether it makes sense to plan around probate depends on your situation, your family, and your priorities. That's one of the things we sort through together at your Peace of Mind Planning Session.
For some families, a will-based plan is exactly right. For others, a trust-based plan makes more sense—often because of how property is owned, who's inheriting, privacy, or wanting to make things easier on whoever would be left handling things. Either way, a complete plan also includes powers of attorney and medical directives so someone you trust can act for you during your lifetime if you can't.You don't need to know which one you need before we talk. Figuring that out is our job.
You might not. A Living Trust is a document where you name someone to manage your assets if you become incapacitated and to distribute them after your death, usually without court involvement. Many of our clients choose one for the privacy, the continuity, and the ease it gives their people. Others are well served by a will-based plan.We go over the differences in plain language at your Peace of Mind Planning Session, and the decision is always yours.
A Statutory Durable Power of Attorney lets you appoint someone to manage your property and finances in the event of your incapacity. You will name someone you trust implicitly as your “agent.” They will step into your shoes and pay your bills, file your taxes, manage your business, etc. if you are unable.
Every estate plan we offer includes a Statutory Durable Power of Attorney.
A Medical Power of Attorney allows you to appoint someone you trust to manage your medical decisions should you be unable to do so. An Advance Directive/Living Will (not to be confused with a Living Trust or Last Will and Testament) allows you to make certain medical decisions regarding end-of-life care in advance.
Every estate plan we offer includes a Medical Power of Attorney and Advance Directive.
Your Peace of Mind Planning Session is a personalized experience designed to address your unique estate planning needs. During the session, Travis will take the time to listen to your circumstances, goals, and concerns to understand your individual situation. He'll walk you through the estate planning process, review our "no surprises" flat fee pricing, and answer any questions you may have clearly and without all that legalese. You should leave the session knowing exactly what you are getting and what the investment will be.
Of course. Travis is happy to hop on a short, complimentary call to answer basic questions and help you decide whether a Peace of Mind Planning Session is the right next step.
That's expected. Your plan should change as your life, your family, and the law change. A Living Trust can be amended or revoked at any time while you're alive and have capacity. A will can be updated with a codicil or replaced. Powers of attorney and medical directives are usually re-signed fresh, which is often the most cost-effective route. When something shifts, let us know and we'll help you update what needs updating.
Yes—and in some ways it matters even more. Texas's default rules follow legal and blood relationships, so if you'd want a long-time partner, a close friend, or a cause you care about to receive what you have, that needs to be in writing. Just as important, everyone needs a Medical Power of Attorney and a Financial Power of Attorney so someone you trust can step in if you ever can't speak for yourself. Both are included in every plan we offer.
Great question! I have yet to meet a parent who actually wants their kids to inherit a big lump sum when they turn 18 (the age at which you are legally entitled to inherit). Yet that is exactly what will happen if you don’t get an estate plan in place saying otherwise. The good news is that with a Trust, you can choose a later age for your kids to inherit—say 25 or 30. You have plenty of options. We’ll discuss them at your Peace of Mind Planning Session.
You nominate legal guardians in a Will or a Pour-Over Will that goes along with your Revocable Living Trust. If you pass away without nominating guardians, a judge will make that decision for you. You also run the risk that family members will fight over who gets custody because you didn’t make your preference clear. We go the extra mile and help you nominate short-term guardians to care for your children in the interim while the long-term guardians are appointed. Also, did you know you can “confidentially exclude” people you would never want raising your children no matter what? We can help with that, too!
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