Business Details
13 Years
experience
Trusted Estate Planning & Probate Lawyers in Sugar Land, TX
Matthews & Jaasma was founded in 2013 to provide exceptional yet affordable legal help and personal service to those in need. Our firm specializes in estate planning, probate, wills, and living trusts, serving clients in Fort Bend County, including Sugar Land, Missouri City, and the greater Houston area. With combined experience from state and federal court representation, our attorneys offer personalized guidance to navigate complex legal processes.We prioritize client trust, community involvement, and transparent communication, ensuring clients understand their options during emotionally challenging times. Our team maintains lower operating costs to offer competitive flat fees for estate planning services while delivering results-driven legal solutions tailored to individual needs.
Services
Probate
Wills
Trusts
Living Trusts
Estate Planning
Details
- Year established: 2013
Highlights and features
- We offer over 20 years of combined legal experience in estate planning and probate.
- Our team provides personalized guidance tailored to individual client needs.
- We serve local communities with in-depth knowledge of Texas estate laws.
- Competitive flat fees ensure transparent and affordable legal services.
- Client-focused approach prioritizes trust, communication, and practical solutions.
Services
Probate
We guide clients through probate processes to manage and distribute estates according to Texas law. Our attorneys handle will validation, asset inventory, debt settlement, and beneficiary distributions. Clients receive clear communication and support during emotionally challenging times.
Wills
Our firm creates legally binding wills to ensure clients' wishes govern asset distribution. Services include executor appointments, guardianship designations, and trust creation for minors. We offer flat fees for transparent pricing and tailored solutions.
Living Trusts
We establish revocable living trusts to bypass probate, maintain privacy, and plan for incapacity. Trust services include funding assistance, asset protection strategies, and coordination with complementary estate documents for seamless execution.
Estate Planning
Comprehensive estate plans combine wills, trusts, and healthcare directives to protect assets and family interests. We address tax implications, guardianship, and healthcare decisions, ensuring clients' long-term wishes are legally enforceable.
Trust Administration
Our team assists trustees in managing trust assets, distributing funds to beneficiaries, and complying with legal requirements. We provide guidance on revocable and irrevocable trust administration to fulfill grantors' intentions efficiently.
People
Lori Anne Matthews
Partner
Lori Anne Matthews has extensive trial experience from representing clients in Texas and California. She specializes in estate planning, probate, and business disputes, combining legal expertise with community service through Fort Bend ISD and Fort Bend Lawyers CARE.
Amy Jaasma
Partner
Amy Jaasma represents individuals and corporations in personal injury, employment discrimination, and oil spill litigation. She teaches legal research and writing and contributes to Missouri City Ballet Company and Fort Bend ISD schools.
Stacy Williams Bakri
Paralegal
Stacy Williams Bakri brings 25 years of legal experience in probate, estate planning, and litigation. She actively participates in Houston theater groups and serves as Artistic Director of The Live Oak Playhouse.
Questions
What is probate?
Probate verifies a will's validity, inventories assets, settles debts, and distributes remaining assets to heirs according to Texas law.
What happens if someone dies without a will?
Texas intestacy laws determine asset distribution, typically favoring the surviving spouse but potentially excluding children from previous relationships.
Why use a living trust instead of a will?
Living trusts avoid probate, maintain privacy, and allow asset management during incapacity, offering more control over posthumous distributions.
Can I modify a living trust?
Yes, revocable living trusts can be amended during your lifetime to reflect changing circumstances or wishes.
What documents are included in estate planning?
Estate plans typically include wills, trusts, healthcare directives, powers of attorney, and guardianship designations for comprehensive asset protection.
How do I start the estate planning process?
Contact us for a consultation to discuss your goals, family needs, and financial situation, then create customized legal documents ensuring your wishes are followed.
