The Gilmore Firm LLC
The Gilmore Firm LLC

Plan - Protect - Preserve

Plan - Protect - PreservePlan - Protect - PreservePlan - Protect - Preserve

Texas Estate Planning Designed For Your Family

Plan - Protect - Preserve

Plan - Protect - PreservePlan - Protect - PreservePlan - Protect - Preserve

Texas Estate Planning Designed For Your Family

Firm OverviewServices & PricingPro BonoFrequently asked questionsContact

Our Philosophy

Plan

Preserve

Protect

 A carefully thought out estate plan can give you and your family peace of mind for many years to come. By seeking qualified advice and guidance about your specific situation, you can have a custom-tailored estate plan that will set your mind at ease. 

Protect

Preserve

Protect

 You dedicate your life to protecting your most valuable assets, your loved ones. It only makes sense to ensure their protection after your passing. A well-crafted estate plan protects family members and loved ones of all ages so you can rest easy knowing they have protection for the future. 

Preserve

Preserve

Preserve

 You have worked hard to build a comfortable life and a nest egg for your family. Your life savings should not go towards paying unnecessary taxes and probate fees. We can preserve your hard work with a little careful planning and preparation. 

Contact Us

Telephone: 214-997-4320

Email: info@estateplansofdallas.com


Principal Office:

6951 Virginia Parkway Suite 214 McKinney, TX 75071


Office Hours By Appointment Only

Services & Pricing

Wills & Estates Plans

Wills & Estates Plans

Wills & Estates Plans

 We handle any type of will for virtually any family situation.  We sit down with you to discuss your wishes and cover any questions you may have.  Our will process is completely full service —from the drafting to the signing ceremony.

Ancillary Documents

Wills & Estates Plans

Wills & Estates Plans

 We offer all ancillary documents which typically come along with wills, including:


Financial Powers of Attorney

Medical Powers of Attorney 

Living Wills 

And More

Trusts

Wills & Estates Plans

Probate

 The world of trusts can be confusing and complex but we will take the time to explain your options, making sure you understand the trust you select. Here are just some of the types of trusts we offer:


Living Trusts 

Minor’s Trusts 

Crummey Trusts 

A/B or Credit Shelter Trusts 

Generation Skipping Trusts

And More

Probate

Pricing Guide

Probate

 The loss of a loved one is difficult.  If there is a will, we can help the family figure out whether or not to probate the will.   We can also assist an executor with his or her responsibilities and administration of the estate.  If a will does not exist, we can help you make sure all assets are transferred as easily as possible.  At this time, we do not handle contested probate cases. 

Other

Pricing Guide

Pricing Guide

 We may be able to assist in other areas of the law on an as-needed case-by-case basis.  Please contact us for further questions.

Pricing Guide

Pricing Guide

Pricing Guide

 We offer competitive pricing, without sacrificing quality.

Please see pricing guide below.

Pricing Guide
Back to Top

Attorney Profile

Stephanie K. Gilmore, J.D.

 From an early age, I was encouraged to pursue a career in law, but my path took a unique turn through military service. 

After earning my undergraduate degree at Texas Christian University, I was commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force and later attended Texas Wesleyan School of Law in Fort Worth. Studying law while serving in the military instilled in me a deep sense of responsibility—not just to uphold the law, but to ensure that legal decisions could withstand the high-stakes nature of battlefield conditions.


Following law school, I was stationed at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora, Colorado, where I served as both a prosecutor and defense attorney in the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps. In addition to trial work, I provided legal counsel to active-duty and reserve personnel, as well as retired military families. It was during this time that I found my passion for helping individuals navigate complex legal matters—particularly in times of uncertainty.


When my military service concluded, I knew my experience working with military families would guide my next chapter. Returning to my home state of Texas, I transitioned into estate planning, offering services such as wills, trusts, powers of attorney, living wills, and healthcare directives, along with uncontested probate cases. My goal is to provide practical, effective solutions that give individuals and families peace of mind for the future.


Outside of my practice, I enjoy cheering on my daughter in soccer and golf, tackling DIY projects, and spending quality time with family. I look forward to helping you and your loved ones navigate your legal needs with the same dedication and care I’ve provided throughout my career.

Education:
Texas Wesleyan School of Law, J.D. 2006
Fort Worth, Texas

Texas Christian University, B.S. in Political Science 2003
Cume Laude
Fort Worth, Texas

Bar Admissions:
United States Supreme Court, 2011
United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, 2007
State of Texas, 2006

Back to Top

Veteran Support - Pro Bono Program

The Gilmore Firm supports our Veterans.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Our firm believes in giving back to our community and especially our veterans. We take on one pro bono case per month in the area of estate planning. If you are a veteran, or know a veteran who could benefit from our services, please nominate them below. Thanks for thinking of a veteran!

FAQ - Wills

Please reach us at info@estateplansofdallas.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.

In most cases, yes. A will ensures your assets and loved ones are protected according to your wishes. You should consider having a will if any of the following apply to you:

  • You have minor children
  • You are married or in a long-term partnership
  • You have been married more than once
  • You are a foreign national or married to one
  • You own real estate (even if it's just your home)
  • You’re uncertain about what would happen to your assets if you passed away

While there are rare cases where a will may not be necessary, consulting an estate planning attorney ensures your estate is handled efficiently and cost-effectively. Additionally, even without a will, a power of attorney for healthcare and financial matters is crucial to protect you in case of incapacity.

Take the first step toward peace of mind—start your estate plan today.

If you pass away without a will, Texas law dictates how your property is distributed. The process depends on your marital and family status:


If you are not married

  • With children – Your children inherit everything equally. If a child is deceased, their share goes to their children (your grandchildren), and so on.
  • Without children – Your estate goes to your parents equally. If a parent is deceased, their share passes to your siblings. If a sibling is also deceased, their children (your nieces/nephews) inherit their parent’s share.
  • No surviving parents or siblings – Your estate passes to your grandparents or, if they are deceased, to their descendants (your aunts, uncles, and cousins).

If you are married

  • With children from your current spouse – Your spouse inherits all community property. Your children inherit two-thirds of your separate property, while your spouse keeps the remaining one-third.
  • With children from a previous relationship – Your children inherit your half of the community property. Your spouse keeps their half. Separate property is distributed as above.
  • Without children – Your spouse inherits all community property and any separate personal property. However, separate real estate is split: half goes to your spouse, and the other half is divided between your parents (or siblings if a parent is deceased).


Without a will, asset distribution can be complex and may not align with your wishes. Creating an estate plan ensures your property is handled according to your preferences.

If your spouse survives you and is your child’s biological parent, they will automatically have custody.

However, if your spouse passes away with you (e.g., in a common accident) or is not your child’s biological parent, a judge may decide who gets custody. In such cases, any interested party—including family members you may not have chosen—can petition for custody.

To avoid uncertainty, you should legally designate a guardian for your child. This can be done in your will or through a Designation of Guardian document, ensuring your child is cared for by someone you trust.

If you have named a beneficiary on your bank accounts or life insurance policies, the funds will go directly to that person—as long as they are over 18 and legally eligible to receive them.

However, if the beneficiary cannot receive the funds (due to death or other legal reasons), your executor may have to go to court to determine how the assets are distributed.


What if my beneficiary is a minor?

If a minor child inherits a significant sum without a trust, a guardianship of the estate may be required. This process can be costly and time-consuming.

Setting up a trust ensures that the money is managed efficiently and protected for your child’s future, avoiding unnecessary legal complications.

Estate taxes are federal taxes applied to estates that exceed the federal exclusion amount, which changes periodically. Texas does not have a state estate tax, but estates exceeding the federal threshold are taxed at a high percentage on the excess amount.

If your estate is near or above the federal exclusion limit, consulting an estate planning attorney can help you explore strategies to reduce tax liability and ensure more of your assets go to your beneficiaries.

Having a will can save your estate substantial costs by avoiding heirship proceedings, which can be expensive and time-consuming. Without a will, the court must determine your legal heirs, often requiring attorney fees that start in the thousands and increase based on complexity.

In some cases, a small estate administration may be an option if the estate’s value is below a certain threshold (excluding homestead and other non-probate assets). However, if any property is inherited by a minor child, a guardianship may be required—further increasing costs.

Creating a proper estate plan ensures your assets are distributed efficiently, minimizing legal expenses and complications for your loved ones.

FAQ - Trusts

A living trust allows assets to bypass probate, as the trust—not you—legally owns the property. When you pass away, your assets transfer directly to your named beneficiaries without going through court.

However, Texas has a streamlined probate system, making living trusts less necessary compared to states with complex probate laws (like California). In most cases, a properly drafted Texas will can achieve the same goals at a lower cost and with less maintenance.


When a living trust might be beneficial in Texas

Consider a living trust if:

  • You own property in another state
  • You have serious privacy concerns
  • You anticipate family disputes over your estate
  • You want continuity in case of mental incapacity

It's important to note that a living trust does not avoid estate taxes, though it may help reduce them—just like a well-structured tax-planned will. Because living trusts can be expensive to set up and maintain, it's best to consult an estate planning attorney to determine if one is right for you.

No. A living will and a living trust serve entirely different purposes:

  • A living will is a medical document that outlines your wishes for end-of-life care, such as life support and other medical treatments.
  • A living trust is a legal instrument that holds and manages your assets during your lifetime and allows them to transfer to beneficiaries without going through probate.

Both documents are important in estate planning but address different aspects of your future care and asset management.

There are two key reasons to establish a trust for your minor children:

  1. Legal Restrictions – Children under 18 cannot legally manage inherited money or property. Without a trust, a court-appointed guardianship may be required, which can be costly and time-consuming.
  2. Financial Protection – If your child inherits a significant sum, they would typically gain full access at age 18. A trust allows you to control how and when they receive funds, ensuring financial support for education, healthcare, and living expenses while preventing an unmanaged lump-sum inheritance.

Setting up a trust ensures your child’s financial future is secure and well-managed without unnecessary legal hurdles.

FAQ - Probate

Probate is the legal process where a court verifies the validity of a will and ensures it meets all legal requirements. The process also confirms that the will has not been revoked or canceled.

Once validated, the court issues Letters Testamentary, which give the executor the authority to:

  • Manage and distribute assets
  • Pay debts and taxes
  • Access bank accounts and financial institutions

While probate is not always required, it often simplifies the executor’s responsibilities and ensures a smoother asset distribution.

Not necessarily. In Texas, there are different types of probate, with some being relatively simple.

  • Independent Administration – The most common and efficient probate process. If there is a valid will, the court usually grants independent administration, allowing the executor to manage the estate with minimal court oversight. In most cases, the executor only needs to appear in court once, and the process is completed within a few months.
  • More Complex Probate – If there is no will or family disputes, probate can become lengthy, costly, and court-supervised, requiring additional legal steps to determine heirs and distribute assets.

Having a properly drafted will can significantly streamline the probate process and help avoid unnecessary delays and expenses.

While probate is not always required, there are several situations where probating a will can be beneficial:

  • The estate owns real property – If the deceased owned a home, land, or mineral interests, probate helps clear the title, making future sales or transfers possible.
  • The estate has more debts than assets – Probate ensures creditors’ claims are handled in an organized manner and sets a deadline for claims, preventing indefinite collection efforts.
  • Potential will contests – If someone might dispute the will, probating it through the court helps legally validate its terms.
  • Incomplete funding of a living trust – If the deceased had a living trust but didn’t transfer all assets into it, probate may be needed to move those assets properly.
  • The four-year rule – In Texas, if a will is not probated within four years of the person’s passing, administering the estate becomes much more difficult.

If you're unsure whether to probate a will, consulting a probate attorney can help determine the best course of action.

Most likely, yes. Nearly all courts require an executor to have an attorney when serving as an Independent Executor of an estate. This is because:

  • The executor’s actions impact multiple parties, including creditors and beneficiaries.
  • An executor has a fiduciary duty, meaning they are legally obligated to act in the best interests of the estate’s beneficiaries.

Due to these legal complexities, most courts require executors to work with an attorney to ensure the estate is handled properly and in compliance with the law.

FAQ - Other

Yes, a living will is different from a regular will, and having one can be important.

  • A living will is a medical document that outlines your wishes for end-of-life care if you become unable to communicate (e.g., life support, resuscitation, or other critical healthcare decisions).
  • A regular will (Last Will and Testament) is a legal document that specifies how your assets and property will be distributed after your death.

If you want to ensure your medical preferences are followed, a living will—along with a medical power of attorney—can provide clarity and reduce stress for your loved ones.

A Financial Power of Attorney (POA) allows you to designate a trusted person (called an attorney-in-fact) to manage your financial affairs on your behalf. This person is legally required to act in your best interest and can perform tasks such as:

  • Managing bank accounts and paying bills
  • Buying or selling property
  • Handling investments and financial transactions
  • Opening or managing credit accounts

Because a Financial POA grants significant authority, it’s essential to choose someone trustworthy and responsible. This document ensures that if you become incapacitated or unavailable, your financial matters can still be managed smoothly.

Yes, having a Medical Power of Attorney (POA) is important because it ensures that someone you trust can make healthcare decisions for you if you become unable to do so.

A Medical POA applies only to medical decisions and is different from a Financial POA, which covers financial and business matters. While your designated agent can make medical choices on your behalf, they typically cannot override your Living Will, which outlines your specific end-of-life care preferences.

Having a Medical POA gives you peace of mind knowing that your medical care will be handled according to your wishes by someone you choose.

Connect Through Social

Back to Top

Attorney Stephanie K. Gilmore is responsible for the content on this website. All content on this website is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject matter.

Copyright © 2024 The Gilmore Firm LLC - All Rights Reserved.

Powered by

This website uses cookies.

We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

Accept