The team at Sheehan Law has spent years helping clients navigate real-life planning situations, including blended families, second marriages, adult children and aging parents. Their mission goes beyond filling out forms; they help people understand their options and make thoughtful decisions about how their assets and responsibilities should be handled when they’re no longer here.
Many people don’t start these conversations until something urgent happens. However, founder Farren Sheehan often reminds families of why planning ahead is so important.
Why do people think they don’t need a will?
A lot of people assume everything will automatically go to their spouse, or that wills are only for people with significant wealth. However, real life doesn’t always work that way.
In Texas, the law may divide property differently than families expect, especially in everyday situations such as:
- Remarriage or blended families
- Owning a house before marriage
- Having children from a prior relationship
- Not having children at all
In some cases, a best friend might think a person’s assets will go to them because they didn’t have any known heirs.
“That’s not true,” Sheehan said. “Everyone has heirs. [The government] may have to go way back in their lineage to find people they’ve never met, but everyone does have a legal heir.”
Even if someone has verbally shared their wishes, conversations alone don’t replace a legal document. A legal document can prevent families from dealing with confusion and stress during an already emotional time.
Another reason people delay is discomfort. Thinking about the future can feel overwhelming, but waiting too long can shift the burden to loved ones, who are then left to handle paperwork, legal steps and decisions without clear guidance. For this reason, Sheehan recommends setting up an appointment with a professional who can guide them through the process.
What happens during a meeting with Sheehan Law?
At Sheehan Law, meetings are friendly and conversation-based. Clients talk about their families, what they own and what they hope will happen in the future. From there, the team helps turn those wishes into clear, simple documents designed to reduce stress for loved ones.
“We try to really personalize the solutions,” Sheehan said. “By having a conversation, we can learn about the person and their family, and we can then make the best suggestions.”
An example of a special circumstance that might impact a will is if a person has a child with special needs or an elderly parent. Receiving an inheritance outright might disqualify them from benefits, and Sheehan Law can help navigate that.
This personal approach can also prevent people from paying for things they don’t actually need.
For example, many clients come in believing they must create a trust because they’ve heard it’s the “right” option. A trust isn’t always necessary, and a simpler, more affordable plan, such as a will, works just as well.
Additionally, Sheehan has seen firsthand the importance of acting sooner rather than later.
She shared one experience where a man came in to sign documents that outlined his wishes. That very night, he passed away unexpectedly. Because he had taken that step, his spouse and children were protected from the conflict and hardship they otherwise would have faced.
A will isn’t something to sign once and forget. Sheehan recommends reviewing it every five to seven years or after major life changes, such as marriage, divorce, welcoming a child or caring for aging parents.
Laws also change over time. For example, many people created complex trust structures in the 1990s when tax exemptions were lower, but today those layers aren’t always necessary, and they can make things harder for families to manage.
Periodically reviewing a will helps ensure it still reflects someone’s life, relationships and the current legal landscape.
How to get started or learn more
Calling Sheehan Law at 512-251-4553 is usually the easiest way to schedule a meeting.
Appointments can take place in person, over Zoom or by phone. The team can send simple prep forms ahead of time for clients who like to get organized before their visit.
For those who want to learn first, Sheehan Law offers quarterly educational “wine and will” sessions, library presentations and helpful articles online for anyone who prefers to explore the topic before making an appointment.
Click here to learn more about Sheehan Law, or call 512-251-4553 to schedule an appointment today.
The above story was produced by Multi-Platform Journalist Sydney Heller with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
