Estate Planning
Building a comprehensive estate plan requires a detailed understanding of the client’s needs and goals. Every person is unique, which is why we take the time to listen to our clients in order to help guide them in determining their needs in an estate plan. As experienced estate planning attorneys, we utilize a variety of techniques to address our client’s needs to ensure that their assets are preserved for the next generation.
- Comprehensive Estate Planning including preparation of Wills, Trusts, and Durable Powers of Attorney for Financial and Medical Decisions
- Analysis of Estate, Gift, and other tax implications and planning alternatives
- Charitable gift planning
- Guardianship and Guardianship alternatives
- Asset protection planning
Learn more about how Middleton & Middleton can assist you with your Estate Plan.
Probate & Probate Litigation
Probate is the process by which a decedent’s estate is administered and includes collecting, preserving, and distributing assets. We represent executors, administrators, and beneficiaries in all areas of estate administration, including admitting the will to probate, representation of executors and administrators, preparing accountings, and probate litigation. The loss of a loved one is a significant challenge that we all face during our lifetimes. Relying on our years of experience as probate attorneys will ease your burden during an emotional time.
- Complete Administration of a Decedent’s Estate: Independent and Dependent Administration, Muniment of Title, Affidavit of Heirship
- Will Contests
- Breach of Fiduciary Duty
- Family Settlement Agreements
- Other contested probate matters
Learn more about how Middleton & Middleton can assist you with your probate matter.
Trusts
Trusts are a versatile tool used in estate planning, wealth preservation, charitable contributions, and tax planning. While the benefits of trusts are many, the consequences of a poorly drafted trust are significant.
- Life Insurance Trusts
- Revocable and Irrevocable Trusts
- Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts
- Special Needs Trusts
- Miller Trusts
- Family Trusts
- Trust Administration
- Trustee negligence and malfeasance
Learn more about how Middleton & Middleton can assist you with creating and administering a Trust.
Business Organizations & Corporate Law
Choosing an appropriate entity that best suits a client’s objectives and limits liability is one of the foundations for a successful business. Our clients rely on our experience in the formation and management of their business entities ranging from small business start-ups to corporations conducting business internationally.
- Counsel for proper entity designation and tax implications
- Formation and Dissolution of Corporations, Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies
- Purchases and sales of existing businesses and franchises
- Mergers, Modifications and Acquisitions
- Family Limited Partnerships
- Owner’s Agreements, Buy-Sell Agreements, Shareholder/Member Agreements
- Counsel for small businesses and start-ups
Learn more about how Middleton & Middleton can assist you with creating and managing your business.
Real Estate
Buying and selling property is often one of the largest financial undertakings a person makes during their lifetime. It is important to have experienced counsel in order to ensure that the best possible outcome is achieved which is why we draw upon our years of experience in real estate law when we represent buyers and sellers in a range of real estate transactions.
- Representation of buyers and sellers in Residential, Farm and Ranch, and Commercial transactions
- Buying and selling property, real estate contracts, and deeds
- Preparation of leases for residential and commercial properties
Learn more about how Middleton & Middleton can assist you with your real estate needs.
Oil, Gas, & Minerals
With the boom of mineral activity in Texas, more landowners are realizing the fruits of their property in the form of mineral lease offers. Understanding the technical language and law surrounding mineral leases is key to achieving the best possible outcome. We represent landowners in the negotiation of lease agreements, taking care to answer all questions and explain all terms of the lease.
- Representation of Lessees in negotiation of Lease Agreements, Pooling and Unitization, Surface Use and Damages Actions
- Mineral Deed and Royalty Deed Transfers
- Assessing and correcting ownership interests in mineral estates
Learn more about how Middleton & Middleton can assist you with your mineral estate needs.
Guardianship
Guardianships are a court-supervised programs where a Guardian is appointed to care for a Ward. A Guardian is, in effect, a surrogate decision maker to make decisions for a Ward whose incapacity has rendered them unable to make decisions for themselves. There are two types of Guardians: a Guardian of the Person who cares for the Ward’s by providing food, shelter, clothing, protection, and medical decisions, and a Guardian of the Estate who cares for the Ward’s property. A Ward can be either an incapacitated person, or a minor (one who is under eighteen).
Our clients include parents of children and special needs children as well as children looking to establish a Guardianship for parents with disabilities.
- Designation of a Guardian for Minor Children in the Event of Later Need, such as the death of a parent or both parents
- Designation of a Guardian Before the Need Arises for Adults
- Special Needs Trusts in coordination with Guardianship for special needs children and adults
- Appointment of Representative Payee for Social Security Disability Payments
- Guardianship for Incapacitated Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (Mental Retardation, Autism, Down’s Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Encephalopathy),
- Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and Parkinson’s Disease
- Guardianship Alternatives such as Durable Financial and Medical Powers of Attorney and Trusts, Mental Health Commitment, Consent to Medical Treatment, Bill Payer Assistance, and Registry of the Court