• Home
  • About Us
    ▼
    • Gratia Schoemakers
      ▼
      • Community Outreach Program
    • Testimonials
  • Virtual Services
  • Estate Planning
    ▼
    • Estate Planning Basics
    • Last Will and Testament
    • Revocable Living Trusts
    • Durable Power of Attorney
    • Medical Power of Attorney
    • Living Will
    • Family Estate Planning
    • LGBTQ Estate Planning & Asset Protection
    • Kids Safety Plan™
    • Business Succession Planning
    • Guardianship
      ▼
      • Guardianship Planning
    • Special Needs Planning
    • Legacy Preservation Planning
    • Asset Protection
    • Trusts
    • Pet Trusts
    • Gun Trusts
  • Probate
    ▼
    • Texas Probate Guide
    • Probate of a Will
    • Texas Affidavit of Heirship
    • Texas Small Estate Affidavit
    • Texas Heirship Determination
    • Texas Muniment of Title
    • Trust Administration
  • Family Law
    ▼
    • Divorce
    • Collaborative Divorce
    • Mediation
    • Custody / Visitation
  • Blog
  • FAQs
    ▼
    • FAQs – Videos
    • FAQs – Estate Planning
    • FAQs – Beyond Money in Estate Planning
    • FAQs – Divorce and Estate Planning FAQs and Myths
    • FAQs – Estate Planning for Newlyweds Myths and FAQs
    • FAQs – Estate Planning for Young Adults
    • FAQs – The Estate Planning Cast of Characters
    • FAQs – Expecting an Inheritance
    • FAQs – Myths and FAQs – Planning for Conflict Prone Families
    • FAQs – New and Expanding Families
    • FAQs – Pet Trusts
    • FAQs – Probate
    • FAQs – Standalone Retirement Trust Myths and FAQs
    • FAQs – Trust Modifications
    • FAQs – Unwinding Obsolete Planning
    • FAQs – Why You Want to Avoid Probate
    • FAQs – Year-End Planning Myths and FAQs
  • Contact
    ▼
    • Virtual Estate Planning Login
    • Client Portal
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

PROTECTING YOU, YOUR FAMILY, YOUR FUTURE | SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT | CALL US TODAY! (832) 408-0505

GP Schoemakers, PLLC

Protecting You, Your Family, Your Future

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Gratia Schoemakers
      • Community Outreach Program
    • Testimonials
  • Virtual Services
  • Estate Planning
    • Estate Planning Basics
    • Last Will and Testament
    • Revocable Living Trusts
    • Durable Power of Attorney
    • Medical Power of Attorney
    • Living Will
    • Family Estate Planning
    • LGBTQ Estate Planning & Asset Protection
    • Kids Safety Plan™
    • Business Succession Planning
    • Guardianship
      • Guardianship Planning
    • Special Needs Planning
    • Legacy Preservation Planning
    • Asset Protection
    • Trusts
    • Pet Trusts
    • Gun Trusts
  • Probate
    • Texas Probate Guide
    • Probate of a Will
    • Texas Affidavit of Heirship
    • Texas Small Estate Affidavit
    • Texas Heirship Determination
    • Texas Muniment of Title
    • Trust Administration
  • Family Law
    • Divorce
    • Collaborative Divorce
    • Mediation
    • Custody / Visitation
  • Blog
  • FAQs
    • FAQs – Videos
    • FAQs – Estate Planning
    • FAQs – Beyond Money in Estate Planning
    • FAQs – Divorce and Estate Planning FAQs and Myths
    • FAQs – Estate Planning for Newlyweds Myths and FAQs
    • FAQs – Estate Planning for Young Adults
    • FAQs – The Estate Planning Cast of Characters
    • FAQs – Expecting an Inheritance
    • FAQs – Myths and FAQs – Planning for Conflict Prone Families
    • FAQs – New and Expanding Families
    • FAQs – Pet Trusts
    • FAQs – Probate
    • FAQs – Standalone Retirement Trust Myths and FAQs
    • FAQs – Trust Modifications
    • FAQs – Unwinding Obsolete Planning
    • FAQs – Why You Want to Avoid Probate
    • FAQs – Year-End Planning Myths and FAQs
  • Contact
    • Virtual Estate Planning Login
    • Client Portal

Privacy

Wills, Trusts & Dying Intestate: How They Differ

August 16, 2022 By Gratia P. Schoemakers, Esq.

Wills, trusts & dying intestate

Most people understand that having some sort of an estate plan is, as Martha Stewart would say, a “good thing.” However, many of us don’t take the steps to get that estate plan in place because we don’t understand the nuances between wills and trusts – and dying without either. Here’s what will generally happen […]

Filed Under: Design, Estate Planning, Trusts, Wills, wwPROBATE Tagged With: Adult Children, Dying Intestate, No Will, Privacy, Trust, Will, Will vs Trust

Wills vs. Trusts: A Quick & Simple Reference Guide

July 5, 2022 By Gratia P. Schoemakers, Esq.

Wills vs. trusts

Confused about the differences between wills and trusts?  If so, you’re not alone.  While it’s always wise to contact experts like us, it’s also important to understand the basics.  Here’s a quick and simple reference guide: What Revocable Living Trusts Can Do – That Wills Can’t What Wills Can Do – That Revocable Living Trusts […]

Filed Under: Estate Planning, Trusts, Wills Tagged With: Asset Protection, Living Trust, Privacy, Probate, Revocable Trust, Will, Will vs Trust

Four Reasons Why Estate Planning Isn’t Just for the Top 1 Percent

April 23, 2019 By Gratia P. Schoemakers, Esq.

kids and trust

There is a common misconception that estate plans are only for the ultra-rich – the top 1 percent, 10%, 20%, or some other arbitrary determination of “enough” money.  In reality, nothing could be further from the truth. People at all income and wealth levels can benefit from a comprehensive estate plan. Sadly, many have not […]

Filed Under: Design, Estate Planning, Trusts, wwPROBATE Tagged With: Privacy

The Pros and Cons of Probate

December 1, 2016 By Gratia P. Schoemakers, Esq.

In estate planning circles, the word “probate” often comes with a starkly negative connotation.  Indeed, for many people — especially those with larger estates — financial planners recommend trying to keep property out of probate whenever possible.  That being said, the probate system was ultimately established to protect the property of the deceased and his/her […]

Filed Under: Estate Planning Tagged With: Beneficiaries, Privacy, Probate, Taxes

Michael Jackson’s Estate Pulled Into Seemingly Endless Probate Court Battles

August 18, 2016 By Gratia P. Schoemakers, Esq.

Michael Jackson, the “King of Pop,” had always been a controversial superstar. Over the years, he became the father of three children, Prince Michael Jackson II, Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson, and Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr.  While Jackson created a trust to care for his children and other family and friends, he never actually funded it. The result? Embarrassing […]

Filed Under: Estate Planning Tagged With: Asset Protection, Celebrities, Mistakes, Privacy, Probate, Probate Court, Trust

Skyrocketing Probate Fees – Another Reason to Avoid Probate Court

August 3, 2015 By Gratia P. Schoemakers, Esq.

As of July 1, 2015, Connecticut probate courts earned the dubious distinction of charging the highest probate fees in the U.S..  Amazingly, the Connecticut legislature voted to completely cut general fund support for the state’s probate courts for the next two fiscal years, thereby creating a $32 million deficit.  In order to cover the shortfall, the […]

Filed Under: Estate Planning Tagged With: Beneficiaries, Cost, Privacy, Probate, Probate Costs, Probate Court, Trust

Year End Estate Planning Tip #4 – Check the Privacy of Your Estate Plan

October 23, 2014 By Gratia P. Schoemakers, Esq.

With the end of the year fast approaching, now is the time to fine tune your estate plan before you get caught up in the chaos of the holiday season.  One area of planning that many people overlook is ensuring that their final wishes remain private. Will Your Final Wishes Become a Public Court Record? […]

Filed Under: Estate Planning Tagged With: Privacy, Probate, Will Contest, Year End

Does Your Revocable Living Trust Reduce Your Estate Tax Bill?

September 15, 2014 By Gratia P. Schoemakers, Esq.

Many people believe that once they set up and fund a revocable living trust, property held in the trust will avoid estate taxes after they die.  In reality, this may or may not be true depending on your choice of beneficiaries and the terms written into your trust agreement. Single Trustmakers and Estate Taxes If […]

Filed Under: Estate Planning Tagged With: Beneficiaries, Incapacity Plan, Living Trust, Privacy, Probate, Revocable Trust, Taxes, Trust, Will

Footer

Clear Lake Location
1100 NASA Parkway, Ste 420J
Houston, TX 77058

Serving These Areas

Harris County and Galveston County
Houston
Galveston
Clear Lake
Friendswood
Dickinson
LaMarque
League City
Kemah
Pearland

Contact Us
Get Directions
(832) 408-0505

Privacy Policy
The information contained in this Website is subject to our Disclaimer and Terms and Conditions.