As a service member, safeguarding your family's future requires more than fulfilling your duty. It also means creating a thorough estate plan.
Military families face unique challenges, including deployments, frequent relocations, and the risk of injury or disability. Estate planning allows service members to protect their loved ones and ensure their wishes are honored regardless of what happens during active duty.
An experienced military estate planning attorney at the Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard can guide you through the legal considerations specific to service members. Our firm understands the particular needs of military families and provides comprehensive estate planning services tailored to the demands of military life. Contact a knowledgeable Killeen estate planning attorney to learn how we can help.
What Does an Estate Plan Include?
Estate planning includes multiple legal documents that work together to protect you and your family. Each component serves a distinct purpose and addresses different scenarios that may arise during or after military service.
Wills
A will designates how you want your property distributed after your death and names guardians for minor children. Without a valid will, Texas intestacy laws determine who inherits your assets. The attorneys at the Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard draft clear, enforceable wills that reflect your intentions and account for military assets.
Power of Attorney
Powers of attorney authorize someone to handle financial and legal matters on your behalf if you become unable to do so. This is essential for military members who may be deployed or injured. Common types include:
General Power of Attorney: Grants broad authority over financial and legal matters.
Limited Power of Attorney: Restricts authority to specific tasks or time periods.
Durable Power of Attorney: Remains effective even if you become incapacitated.
Choosing a trustworthy agent is crucial. Our team will help you select someone and include safeguards to protect your interests.
Healthcare Directives
These include a living will and a medical power of attorney. A living will outlines your preferences for life-sustaining treatment, and a medical power of attorney appoints someone to make medical decisions if you cannot. Complete these before deployment to ensure your wishes are honored.
Beneficiary Designations
Designations on life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and other assets determine who receives them after your death. Benefits like Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) accounts bypass your will and go directly to named beneficiaries. Review these designations regularly.
Military-Specific Considerations
Service members at Fort Hood face unique estate planning needs related to deployment, injuries, and military benefits. Our attorneys help you plan for:
Deployment Readiness
Before deployment, establish powers of attorney, update your will, and confirm your beneficiary designations. Having a complete, deployment-ready estate plan ensures your family can manage finances and legal matters in your absence. Schedule a consultation with a Killeen estate planning lawyer to prepare for your next deployment.
Injury Preparedness
Service-related injuries can impair your ability to manage your affairs. Durable powers of attorney and healthcare directives ensure that someone you trust can act on your behalf. We create plans that account for the possibility of long-term care and disability.
Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) and Family Group Life Insurance (FSGLI)
SGLI offers up to $500,000 in life insurance for active-duty members. FSGLI extends coverage to spouses (up to $100,000) and dependent children ($10,000 each). These policies:
Pay directly to named beneficiaries.
End upon certain events like divorce or loss of eligibility.
Can be converted to individual policies.
We help you manage these benefits and integrate them into your overall estate plan.
Dependency & Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
DIC provides tax-free monthly payments to survivors of service members who die from service-connected causes. Key points include:
Eligibility requires proving the death was service-connected.
Benefits are adjusted annually for cost of living.
Remarriage before age 57 can affect eligibility.
We help you understand how DIC fits into your family’s long-term financial picture.
Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)
SBP ensures your spouse or child receives part of your military retirement pay after your death. Enrollment occurs at retirement. Our attorneys review your estate plan to coordinate SBP benefits and ensure it aligns with your financial goals.
Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
Your TSP may be a major retirement asset. Designating the right beneficiaries ensures your savings go to the intended recipients without delay. We align TSP planning with your estate plan and evaluate tax implications.
VA Burial Benefits
Military burial benefits may include burial in national cemeteries, flags, and military funeral honors. Include your burial preferences in your estate plan so your family knows your wishes. We assist with incorporating these details clearly and legally into a comprehensive estate plan that properly honors military service.
Document Validity and Portability
Military families often move across states and overseas. Estate documents must comply with your current state’s laws and remain enforceable wherever you live. Factors that may affect validity include:
State-specific notarization and witness rules.
Federal laws like the Uniformed Services Former Spouses' Protection Act.
Foreign assignments that require special authentication.
We help you keep documents valid across relocations and legal updates. Contact our seasoned estate planning attorneys today to ensure your estate plan is solid.
Texas-Specific Estate Planning Laws
Texas has laws that impact military families in particular:
Community property rules affect asset distribution.
Homestead protections apply to surviving spouses and minor children.
Probate laws govern how assets transfer without a will.
Statutory inheritance rules when no valid will exists.
Durable power of attorney statutes define limits and requirements.
We structure estate plans that maximize your protections under both Texas and federal law. Call us today to speak with an attorney who understands how to navigate both systems.
Digital Assets
Modern estate plans must account for digital assets, such as:
Email and social media accounts
Online banking and benefit portals
Digital photo, document, and file storage
Cryptocurrency wallets
We help you inventory digital assets and authorize access for trusted individuals. If you have more questions about digital assets in your estate, contact a seasoned estate planning attorney today.
How a Fort Hood Estate Planning Lawyer Can Help
Estate planning for military families involves more than simply drafting documents—it requires a deep understanding of how military benefits, state laws, and federal regulations intersect. At the Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard, we provide:
Customized legal advice based on your military status, family needs, and long-term goals.
Assistance identifying which estate planning tools best protect your family during deployment, relocation, or medical emergencies.
Legal document drafting services to ensure your wishes are clear and enforceable
Coordination of your estate plan with military-specific benefits like SGLI, FSGLI, TSP, DIC, and SBP.
Guidance on avoiding probate and minimizing tax consequences for your beneficiaries.
Support in updating your plan as your family grows or your military career evolves.
Our lawyers are here to walk you through every step of the estate planning process. We aim to ensure your wishes are clearly expressed and legally protected, providing peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
Contact a Killeen Estate Planning Attorney Today
Military families deserve customized estate plans that reflect their service, sacrifice, and unique legal circumstances. At the Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard, we help Fort Hood families build strong plans that protect their loved ones no matter where duty calls.
Call us at (254) 781-4222 or contact us online to schedule your FREE consultation with a dedicated Killeen estate planning lawyer.