A legacy plan answers two questions: where do you want your wealth to go, and how much of it will actually get there? At Puzzle Wealth, we help families across Southlake and Dallas–Fort Worth coordinate estate intentions, charitable giving, and family gifting into one strategy — working alongside your attorney and CPA, because we intentionally don't employ in-house legal or tax professionals; we help you find the right ones and coordinate the team.  

Does Texas make estate planning different?

In two ways worth knowing.  Texas has no state estate tax — planning centers on the federal estate and gift tax system.  And Texas is a community property state, which affects how assets are titled and characterized, particularly for families who relocated from separate-property states.  Titling that made sense in Illinois or California may deserve a fresh look in Texas.

How can gifting fit into the plan?

Gifting moves wealth during your lifetime — often with meaningful tax advantages and the chance to see the impact. Strategies we help families evaluate include: annual exclusion gifts to children and grandchildren, which transfer wealth without touching your lifetime exemption; 529 plan funding for education, including the ability to front-load multiple years of gifts; lifetime exemption gifts for larger transfers, which can be especially powerful ahead of a business sale or when asset values are expected to grow; and family gifting of appreciated or business assets, coordinated with your attorney and CPA.

What about charitable giving?

For charitably inclined families, how you give changes what your generosity accomplishes. We help design strategies including: donor-advised funds, which allow a deduction in a high-income year — such as the year you sell a business or exercise options — while distributing to charities over time; gifts of appreciated stock, which can avoid capital-gains tax on the appreciation while supporting the causes you choose; and qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) from IRAs for those over 70½, which can satisfy RMDs while excluding the distribution from income. The right structure depends on your assets, income pattern, and intentions — that's the analysis we run.

Our first priority is helping you take care of yourself and your family. We want to learn more about your personal situation, identify your dreams and goals, and understand your tolerance for risk. Long-term relationships that encourage open and honest communication have been the cornerstone of my foundation of success.

Located in Southlake, TX, our estate planning professionals take a personalized approach to help you work toward safeguarding your legacy. We want to educate our clients on potential estate planning strategies and will work closely with your estate attorney to create a plan that includes your financial success. Whether you need guidance on wills and trusts, estate tax planning, or setting up a living will, we’re here to see that your estate plan is tailored to your unique needs.

When should I start estate planning?
It’s never too early to start. Whether you’re young and just starting to build wealth or you’re approaching retirement, having a plan in place helps to see that your wishes are honored.

What happens if I don’t have an estate plan?
Without a plan, the state of Texas will determine how your assets are distributed, which may not align with your intentions. This could also lead to costly legal proceedings for your heirs.

How often should I update my estate plan?
We recommend reviewing your estate plan every 3-5 years or after major life events like marriage, the birth of a child, or significant financial changes.

This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax or legal advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific situation with a qualified tax or legal advisor.