October 21 – 27 is National Estate Planning Awareness Week! Estate planning may sound spooky and mysterious, but it doesn't have to be. We're here to help.

An estate plan is a set of formal instructions for when a person dies or can no longer make decisions. If there is no plan, matters are typically decided based on existing laws. The consequences can be frightful when your preferences aren’t taken into account.

Making your wishes known can help you protect your loved ones and avoid scary surprises. For example, writing a will or adding a beneficiary to a bank account determines how the property is divided after death. If you become disabled, a "power of attorney" document might say who can make financial or medical choices on your behalf.

The library has many resources to help you break the spell of uncertainty around estate planning.

E-Books from the Digital Collection

• Texas probate passport: A guide to probate and estate planning in Texas by Texas Young Lawyers Association
• Checklist for my family: A guide to my history, financial plans, and final wishes by American Bar Association
• Plan your estate by Nolo
• Quick & legal will book by Nolo
• The everything wills and estate planning book by Deborah S. Layton

You can access our e-books remotely with a free library account.

See our Digital Collection for more titles on topics such as Wills & Probate, Power of Attorney, Trusts & Estates, Medicare & Medicaid, and Elder Law.

Guides

• Powers of Attorney. Information on several different types of powers of attorney: general, limited, durable, and medical. Includes links to forms.
• Wills & Directives. Information on topics such as elder care, wills, estate planning, and medical directives. Includes links to forms.

FAQs

• How do I create a simple will?
• What happens if someone dies without a will?
• What is a Lady Bird deed?

Find More Information

Search our library catalog or browse the Digital Collection to find more resources. 

We're happy to help you find answers to any additional questions you may have. Feel free to reach out to us for research assistance. 

For legal advice, we recommend talking to a lawyer.