Business Details
Estate Planning & Probate Law Firm in Austin, Texas
Nielsen Law is a family-focused estate planning and probate law firm dedicated to providing personalized legal solutions for clients in Austin, Texas. With board-certified expertise in estate planning and probate law, we prioritize long-term relationships and comprehensive strategies to protect families, assets, and legacies. Our team emphasizes clarity in complex legal matters, offering tailored guidance through estate planning, special needs trusts, probate administration, and business succession planning. We combine technical proficiency with compassionate service, ensuring clients receive both legal excellence and emotional support during critical life transitions. 
Services
Estate Planning
Special Needs Trusts
Probate Administration
Business Succession Planning
Guardianship Services
Asset Protection
Charitable Trusts
Trust Administration
Living Wills
Power of Attorney
Highlights and features
- We offer board-certified expertise in estate planning and probate law.
- Our personalized approach addresses unique family and business needs.
- We maintain long-term relationships to update plans as circumstances change.
- Our team provides transparent guidance through complex legal processes.
- We combine technical excellence with compassionate, family-centered service.
Associations and certifications
- Texas Board of Legal Specialization
What people say
Caring and attentive
Knowledgeable and efficient
Peace of mind
Compassionate attorney
Highly recommended
Services
Estate Planning
Customized estate planning ensures your assets and loved ones are protected according to your wishes. We create comprehensive strategies including wills, trusts, and advanced directives to manage your estate during life and after death. Our process combines legal expertise with personalized guidance to address family dynamics, tax implications, and long-term care needs.
Special Needs Trusts
Special needs trusts preserve government benefits for loved ones with disabilities while providing financial support. Our attorneys design tailored solutions that maintain eligibility for assistance programs while covering medical expenses, housing, and quality-of-life improvements. We guide families through guardianship options and supported decision-making agreements.
Probate Administration
We streamline probate processes for executors and beneficiaries, handling asset inventory, debt resolution, and property distribution. Our team navigates Texas probate courts to validate wills, administer trusts, and resolve intestate estates with minimal stress for grieving families. Services include independent administration and small estate affidavits.
Business Succession Planning
Business succession plans ensure continuity during ownership transitions. We establish buy/sell agreements, develop leadership pipelines, and structure entity formations to protect company value. Our services include LLC formation, corporate governance documents, and tax-efficient transfer strategies for family-owned businesses.
Guardianship Services
We establish legal guardianships for minors and adults requiring decision-making support. Our process includes court petition preparation, capacity evaluations, and ongoing compliance with reporting requirements. We also advise on alternatives like supported decision-making agreements for individuals with partial capacity.
People
Elizabeth Nielsen
Attorney & Founder
Board-certified estate planning attorney with 15+ years of experience. Former associate at Austin's premier estate law firm. Active in WealthCounsel and Texas Forum. President of AGE of Central Texas nonprofit.
Elizabeth Ziegler
Attorney
Austin native specializing in probate court procedures. Graduated cum laude from St. Mary's University School of Law. Experienced in estate administration and special needs trust management.
Katlyn Winters
Attorney
Trust administration specialist with corporate fiduciary experience. Graduated cum laude from St. Mary's University School of Law. Focus on special needs trust compliance and asset protection strategies.
John Glode
Attorney
Business planning expert with corporate law and nonprofit governance background. Former Guardian Ad Litem for seniors. Active in local school board and community service organizations.
Heather Zoric
Paralegal
Certified paralegal with 10+ years of estate administration experience. University of Texas Paralegal Studies graduate. Specializes in probate document preparation and trust funding processes.
Questions
What documents are essential for basic estate planning?
A comprehensive estate plan includes a revocable living trust, will, financial power of attorney, medical directives, and beneficiary designations.
How does a special needs trust protect government benefits?
Special needs trusts hold assets without disqualifying beneficiaries from Medicaid or SSI by maintaining separate property status and controlled distributions.
What happens if someone dies without a will in Texas?
Intestate estates follow Texas' statutory distribution plan, appointing administrators to distribute assets to surviving family members through probate court oversight.
Can I create an estate plan without an attorney?
While DIY options exist, professional legal guidance ensures compliance with complex state laws, proper document execution, and tailored asset protection strategies.
How often should I update my estate plan?
Review plans every 3-5 years or after major life events like marriage, divorce, births, or significant asset changes to maintain legal effectiveness.
