We Come Highly Recommended
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Highly professional and experienced, these lawyers provide comprehensive guidance on all aspects of your case, helping you carefully assess and weigh your options.Raji S.
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We were referred to DebnamRust by a friend. Derek, Meghana, Hope, and Erin were all very pleasant to work with. They were very responsive to our questions and took care to recognize the sensitive nature of what we needed. We have referred a few of our friends to them. The thank you card after our work was done was a nice touch.Travis A.
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Very personable, knowledgeable, and reliable.Kathryne D.
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Everyone at the firm is amazing and I would definitely recommend them if you are in need of a good lawyer!Ali H.
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They did a great job at explaining the case, expenses and breakdowns, and also reassuring all of our questions during the process.Ty S.
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Very helpful and supportive firmOscar G.
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Very detailed oriented. 100% satisfied. I highly recommend Michael Debnam and his team to anyone in need of an attorney.Martin G.
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Pleasant experience when I called. Erin listened to everything and didn't rush me off the phone. She was so nice and caring, I definitely knew DebnamRust was the law firm I needed to go with! Thank you for being so kind.Sofia O.
Why Families Choose Our Estate Planning Team
Estate planning isn't just about documents — it's about you, your family, your values, your goals, and the people you want to protect. Before we talk legal tools or strategy, we listen. Our estate planning attorneys in McKinney take time to understand your situation first.
What Makes Us Different
- Personal, not transactional — we ask about your family dynamics, financial picture, and values before recommending anything
- Inclusive and affirming — we proudly serve LGBTQ+ clients and nontraditional families, making sure the people who matter to you are legally protected in Texas
- Accessible when it counts — when you need documents in place before a surgery or have an urgent question, we work to schedule same-day meetings when possible
- Real people answer your calls — we return calls ourselves instead of routing you through recordings, and we stay reachable throughout your matter
Clients often come to us during some of life’s most emotional and uncertain moments — whether it’s a second marriage, a serious health diagnosis, or the loss of a loved one. They are looking for peace of mind and clarity during difficult transitions, along with thoughtful guidance aimed at helping prevent future conflict before it begins.
Estate Planning For Texas Families
If you have never had an estate plan created for you before, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Our role as your estate planning attorneys in McKinney is to make that process understandable and manageable. During our meetings, we walk through the tools that are going to make sure you reach your goals under Texas law.
What's Included in an Estate Plan?
Your Trusted Counsel, Our Dedicated Team
Where legal expertise meets genuine care for the people we serve
What To Expect By Working With Our Firm
Reaching out to an estate planning lawyer can feel like a big step. We work to make that step as straightforward as we can. When you contact us, we give you room to tell your story without rushing. Only after we have a clear picture of your situation do we suggest next steps.
In urgent circumstances, such as an upcoming medical procedure, the addition of a new family member, or the purchase of a home, we strive to schedule same-day or prompt meetings when our calendar allows. During that first meeting, we typically discuss your goals, outline potential approaches, and talk about the likely stages and timing of your matter. We are clear about what we can do and what will require decisions from you.
As your case moves forward, we keep you updated instead of leaving you to wonder what is happening. Clients often tell us that regular updates and check-ins lower their anxiety, because they understand what has been completed and what still needs attention. Our dedicated support team handles many of the logistics behind the scenes, which helps keep your workload manageable.
We also pay close attention to how we communicate. We avoid legal jargon whenever possible and explain options, risks, and costs in everyday language. When you have questions, you can expect a real person to respond. Calls are returned by our team, and we are here to support you beyond your will signing ceremony.
If you are preparing to meet with us, it can be helpful to:
- Write down your main questions or concerns about the estate planning process
- Gather any existing wills, powers of attorney, or trust documents
- Collect a basic list of assets and debts, even if it is rough
- Think about who you trust to make decisions when you are not able to make them for yourself
You do not need everything organized perfectly before you call. Part of our role as estate planning attorneys is to help you sort through what you have and decide what is truly important for your goals.
Call (214) 758-8681 to speak with our estate planning lawyers in McKinney, Texas.
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Put People FirstIt takes two to be successful: our clients and our team. We value both, as we can’t do what we do without either. Sometimes putting people first can mean walking with them through grief and the hardest parts of life. We’re willing and ready to do that for you.
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Strive for ExcellenceWe want to be the best in all that we do. We seek something more tangible than perfection: Excellence. With that goal always in mind, we make the best arguments and get the best results for our clients.
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Sweat the Small Stuff
Details matter. Precision creates efficiency, and we at DebnamRust know what details, patterns, and intricacies to look for. After all, if you get things right the first time, you won’t have to go back and fix errors later.
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Show Up
We show up in the community, and we understand what our clients are going through. We aren’t a faceless organization, but real members of the same community that we advocate for. We also show up for each other, as a team. We count on each other so that you can count on us.
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Take the InitiativeAt our firm, initiative looks like taking action to make a case go a little smoother. We all hit roadblocks, and so we all problem-solve, too. If we ever anticipate an issue, we’ll give you a heads-up.
Our FAQ
Have questions? We are here to help. Still have questions or can't find the answer you need? Give us a call at 214-758-8681 today!
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When should I create or update my will?
Most people benefit from creating or reviewing a will after major life events, such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or a significant change in assets. We can look at your current situation and help you decide whether your existing documents still match your goals.
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How will you tailor my estate plan to my family?
We start by listening carefully to your family story and concerns. We ask about relationships, financial responsibilities, and future goals. Then we design documents that reflect those realities, including planning for blended families, LGBTQ+ relationships, and nontraditional households so your plan fits the people in your life.
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What support do you give executors in Collin County?
We guide executors through each stage, from filing in the proper probate court to closing the estate. Our team prepares paperwork, tracks deadlines, and explains legal duties in plain language. You stay responsible for decisions, but you are not left to navigate the process alone.
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Who can I trust to handle my financial affairs if I become incapacitated?
This is one of the most important decisions in any estate plan. The person you designate — through a durable power of attorney — will have legal authority to manage your finances if you are unable to act for yourself. That could include paying bills, managing investments, handling real estate, or making business decisions on your behalf.
This role requires someone who is trustworthy, organized, and capable of making sound decisions under pressure. It does not have to be a family member — it can be a close friend, a professional advisor, or a trusted colleague. At DebnamRust, P.C., we help you think through who is best suited for this responsibility and make sure your document clearly defines the scope of their authority under Texas law.
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Who should make medical decisions for me if I am unable to speak for myself?
A medical power of attorney allows you to designate someone to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. This person — often called your healthcare agent — can communicate with physicians, consent to or decline treatments, and make decisions that align with your values and wishes.
Choosing the right person matters as much as having the document in place. Your healthcare agent should understand your values, be able to remain calm under pressure, and be willing to advocate firmly on your behalf. We also recommend pairing your medical power of attorney with an advance directive, which spells out your specific wishes for end-of-life care so your agent has clear guidance when it matters most.
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Who would care for my minor children or dependents if something happened to me?Your will is the primary document that directs how your property is distributed after your death — but it is not the only one. Beneficiary designations on retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and certain financial accounts operate separately from your will and can override it if they are not aligned.
We help you look at the full picture: what you own, how it is titled, and how each asset will transfer at death. From there, we work with you to make sure your distributions reflect your actual intentions — whether that means providing equally for your children, leaving something meaningful to a close friend, supporting a charity you care about, or some combination of all three. No two plans look the same, and yours should reflect your real wishes. -
Are there family relationships that may need extra care or clarity in my estate plan?
Many families have dynamics that a standard estate plan does not automatically account for — and in our experience, those are exactly the situations where planning matters most. This may include:
- Blended families — balancing the interests of a current spouse with children from a prior relationship
- Estranged family members — making clear and legally sound decisions about inclusion or exclusion
- LGBTQ+ couples and chosen family — ensuring partners and non-biological family members are legally recognized and protected under Texas law
- Dependents with special needs — structuring distributions in a way that does not inadvertently affect eligibility for government benefits
- Unequal distributions — documenting your reasoning clearly to reduce the likelihood of disputes after your death
At DebnamRust, P.C., we are an inclusive and affirming firm. We take time to understand how your family is structured before we recommend anything, and we design plans that reflect your real relationships — not a legal template.