Why Estate Planning Matters
Without a plan, Texas law decides for you:
Medical Decisions
If you cannot speak for yourself and do not have a Medical Power of Attorney, Texas law relies on a “default family list” of decision-makers (Tex. Health & Safety Code §166.039). This may not be who you would choose. Even worse, family members can disagree—and end up in court while you are lying in a hospital bed.
Money & Finances
Without a Durable Power of Attorney, banks will not let your spouse or children touch your accounts (Tex. Est. Code §1101). The only option is a court-ordered guardianship—slow, stressful, and expensive, with annual accountings and public filings. Meanwhile, bills go unpaid, credit suffers, and stress piles on your family.
Property & Inheritance
Without a will, Texas law dictates who inherits (Tex. Est. Code §201). This creates painful surprises:
In second marriages, a surviving spouse and children from a prior marriage may end up sharing property in ways nobody expected.
If you own property in your name only, it must go through probate.
The good news?
Texas has one of the simplest probate systems in the country. The legislature designed it to be efficient, with tools like Independent Administration (Tex. Est. Code §401.001) that allow your executor to settle your estate quickly, without constant court supervision.
Bottom Line:
A few well-drafted estate documents save you and your family months of conflict, thousands of dollars, and years of regret.
Estate planning is all about love, clarity, and responsibility.
Plan and protect yourself and your family today.
Dvorah Cristol
Attorney and Owner
I’m Dvorah Cristol, an estate planning attorney licensed in Texas and Florida.What I learned is simple: most Texans don’t need complicated trust packages. What they need is someone who will listen, explain in plain English, and create a plan that actually works.
I believe estate planning is an act of kindness. It spares your loved ones stress, fights, and unnecessary costs.
My promise is clear: no upselling, no jargon, no pressure—just calm, practical help.
Services
Flat-Fee Packages
- Simple Will Package
- Trust-Based Plans
- Feel free to contact me to discuss fees.
Serving Fort Worth, Tarrant County, and surrounding Texas communities
Services available on line for Texas residents
Next Steps:
Legal Services
Licensed in Texas and Florida.
This page provides general information only and is not legal advice.
What clients are saying...
“After the recent death of my father, my husband and I realized we should get our affairs in order just in case. Cristol Law made the estate planning task as easy as possible through just a few phone and email chats as well as a final in-home document signing with a notary. Dvorah Cristol was professional, efficient and covered all the bases. We would recommend Cristol estate planning to other folks wanting to get the job done and get it done right!”
— Sydney & Jeff S.
Let's Get Started
Please email me to begin
dvorah@cristolestateplanning.com
The Blog
Thoughts, musings, and ruminations.
2019年10月2日Last Will & Testament with a Contingent Trust A will is a legal document that sets forth your wishes regarding the distribution of your property. A contingent trust (also known as a testamentary trust) is a trust created in your will that goes into effect only (1) after your death, and (2)...Legal Education, Advocacy, & Mentorship
Bringing Real-World Justice and Inclusive Learning to the Next Generation
At Cristol Estate Planning, my guiding philosophy is that the law should heal—educate individuals, protect legacies, and bring absolute peace of mind. I bring that same devotion, clarity, and heart into the academic classroom and competitive courtroom advocacy.
As a dually licensed Texas and Florida Attorney with over 20 years of experience, my background spans complex federal court litigation, alternative dispute resolution, and university-level instruction. I am passionate about mentoring student advocates and teaching future professionals how to marry rigorous legal logic with deep, trauma-informed empathy.
📺 Civic Leadership & Public Legal Education
True advocacy requires breaking down barriers to legal access. My career has been defined by creating innovative educational pathways for underserved communities:
• Non-Profit Foundership: As President of Civication, Inc., I secured $400,000 in competitive grant funding (including the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation) to coordinate statewide constitutional law frameworks in partnership with the Center for Civic Education.
• PBS Broadcasting Innovation: Co-created and produced ACCESS News on PBS (KLRU Austin)—the nation's first civic education news format utilizing both American Sign Language (ASL) and English to make complex public policy and legal structures fully transparent for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
🎤 Course Offerings & Coaching Disciplines Available
I am available for part-time undergraduate adjunct roles, law school advocacy competition coaching, and specialized guest lecture tracks in the Fort Worth / Tarrant County region:
• Trial Advocacy & Competition Prep: Mock Trial Strategy, Trial Notebook Structure, and Mastery of Evidentiary Objections (Texas/Federal Rules).
• Alternative Dispute Resolution: Mediation Ethics, Trauma-Informed Conflict Resolution, and Appellate Moot Court Coaching.
• Fiduciary Disciplines: Wills, Trusts, Special Needs Planning, and Statutory Texas Guardianship Frameworks.
🏛️ Academic & Continuing Education Focus
I design active, application-driven legal curricula engineered to help students grasp the living nature of statutory frameworks and courtroom practice.
• University Advocacy & Tournament Judging: Actively serve as a guest Moot Court Brief Evaluator and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Competition Judge for Texas A&M University School of Law, scoring and mentoring students on advanced negotiation dynamics, ethical client counseling protocols, and trial mechanics.
• Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Speaker: Formulate and deliver accredited professional responsibility modules for the Tarrant County Bar Association, instructing fellow North Texas attorneys on legal ethics and fiduciary obligations.
• Former Adjunct Faculty: Developed and instructed comprehensive, practice-focused legal courses at Florida State College, specializing in Trusts and Estates, Business Law, and Family Law.
📬 Let's Collaborate
Whether preparing a university mock trial team for regional tournaments or teaching an introductory pre-law seminar, I look forward to working with local institutions to inspire ethical, courageous, and exceptionally prepared legal minds.
To discuss a teaching placement, coaching availability, or an upcoming speaking engagement, contact me directly at cristolestateplanning.com or 512-897-7641.
🎙️ Listen: Hear my featured interview on estate planning and legal advocacy on The Law of Me Podcast on Spotify.
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Cristol Law, PLLC
Main office located in Fort Worth, Texas.
Copyright Cristol Law, PLLC © 2019