Business Details
19 Years
experience
Trusted Estate Planning Services in Austin, TX
Collins Ostrom is a boutique law firm dedicated to providing exceptional estate planning, probate, and estate administration services. Established in 2007 by Carolyn Ostrom, our practice was built on the vision of combining sophisticated legal expertise with a warm, client-centered approach. Our team of attorneys brings over 25 years of collective experience, offering personalized solutions tailored to each client's unique needs. We specialize in wealth transfer planning, business succession strategies, and family-focused legal services, ensuring clients achieve long-term security for their loved ones.With a focus on minimizing tax liabilities and addressing complex family dynamics, we guide clients through every stage of estate planning and administration. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our attention to detail, proactive problem-solving, and dedication to making legal processes accessible and stress-free. We serve individuals, families, and business owners in Austin and surrounding areas, maintaining the highest standards of professionalism while fostering a comfortable, supportive environment for all our clients.
Services
Estate Planning
Probate Services
Wills & Trusts
Business Succession Planning
Estate Administration
Tax Planning
Charitable Giving
Family Limited Partnerships
Medical Directives
Heirship Proceedings
Details
- Year established: 2007
Highlights and features
- We provide personalized estate planning tailored to individual family needs
- Our attorneys have over 25 years of combined experience in estate law
- We combine sophisticated legal expertise with a warm, client-centered approach
- We specialize in complex tax planning and business succession strategies
- Our team maintains the highest standards of professionalism and client care
What people say
Excellent judgment
Professionalism and warmth
Made the process easy
Hard worker
Effective advocate
Services
Estate Planning
Our estate planning services help clients create comprehensive strategies for asset distribution and future security. We develop customized wills, trusts, and tax-efficient plans that address both simple and complex family situations. With personalized guidance, we ensure clients understand all legal options and documentation to protect their legacy and loved ones.
Probate Services
We guide families through the probate process with compassionate support and legal expertise. Our services include estate administration, asset distribution, and resolution of heirship matters. We help executors fulfill their duties while minimizing conflicts and ensuring compliance with Texas probate laws for smooth estate transitions.
Business Succession
Our business succession planning creates structured transitions for company ownership and management. We develop strategies that maintain business continuity, protect assets, and address tax implications. Services include creating buy-sell agreements, ownership transfer plans, and leadership development frameworks tailored to each client's specific business needs.
Wills & Trusts
We draft customized wills and trust arrangements to meet diverse estate planning goals. Our services cover revocable and irrevocable trusts, testamentary trusts, and specialized arrangements for minor children or beneficiaries with special needs. We ensure all documents comply with state laws while reflecting clients' specific wishes for asset distribution.
Tax Planning
Our tax planning services focus on minimizing estate, gift, and generation-skipping taxes through strategic legal arrangements. We implement advanced techniques including family limited partnerships, charitable remainder trusts, and lifetime gifting strategies. These approaches help preserve wealth while ensuring compliance with evolving federal and state tax regulations.
People
Carolyn Collins Ostrom
Attorney
Carolyn Ostrom founded the firm in 2007 after practicing at large law firms. She specializes in estate planning and probate, bringing over 25 years of experience to help clients create customized legal solutions while maintaining a compassionate approach.
Rosemary Sullivan
Attorney
Rosemary Sullivan offers extensive estate planning experience from both large firm and corporate settings. She focuses on personalized service, helping clients navigate complex estate matters with professionalism and attention to individual family needs.
Mary Alice Feeney
Attorney
Mary Alice Feeney brings over 25 years of legal expertise to estate planning and probate matters. Her practice emphasizes creating tailored solutions for clients while maintaining the personalized approach that defines our firm's service philosophy.
Sue Morris
Assistant
Sue Morris supports the firm's attorneys while ensuring excellent client service. She manages administrative tasks and client communications, contributing to the smooth operation of our practice and maintaining our commitment to personalized attention.
Amy Winn
Assistant
Amy Winn provides essential support to both attorneys and clients. With attention to detail and organizational skills, she helps maintain the firm's high standards of service while assisting with day-to-day operations and client coordination.
Questions
What estate planning documents do I really need?
Every adult should have a will, power of attorney, and medical directives. We'll help determine if you need trusts or advanced tax planning based on your specific assets and family situation.
How does probate work in Texas?
Texas probate involves validating the will, appointing an executor, inventorying assets, paying debts, and distributing property. We guide executors through each step to ensure legal compliance and smooth estate administration.
Can I update my estate plan after it's created?
Yes, we recommend reviewing your estate plan every 3-5 years or after major life events. We make it easy to update documents to reflect changes in family circumstances or tax laws.
What's the difference between a will and a trust?
A will takes effect after death and requires probate. Trusts can manage assets during life and avoid probate. We'll help determine which option best meets your specific estate planning goals.
How do you handle complex family situations?
We specialize in addressing blended families, special needs beneficiaries, and business succession challenges. Our attorneys create customized solutions that protect all family members' interests while minimizing potential conflicts.
