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Ryan D. Marrone Named a 2026 D Magazine Best Lawyer Under 40 Honoree
Ryan D. Marrone Named to D Magazine’s 2026 Best Lawyers Under 40
December 23, 2025
FBFK Law Attorney Ryan D. Marrone has been named a 2026 Best Lawyer Under 40 honoree by D Magazine, recognizing...
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FBFK Law Recognized for Community Impact by the Orange County Business Journal
December 22, 2025
The Orange County Business Journal has named FBFK Law a 2025 Company That Cares, recognizing organizations...
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Houston Business Journal’s inaugural Community Leadership Awards
Richard Spencer Honored for Community Leadership in Houston
December 18, 2025
FBFK Senior Counsel Richard Spencer has been named a 2026 honoree of the Houston Business Journal’s inaugural...
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OCBJ Fastest Growing Law Firm
FBFK Law Recognized in OCBJ’s Fastest Growing Legal Firms Report
December 1, 2025
Our OC office was recognized among the Top Gainers by Growth Rate, adding 18 lawyers this year for a...
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Fort Worth Magazine’s 2025 Top Attorneys
November 26, 2025
Attorney and Shareholder Michael Reer and Attorney Desireé Malone have been named among Fort Worth Magazine’s...
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FBFK Law Leaders Recognized Among the Region’s Most Influential Executives
November 21, 2025
FBFK Law is celebrating two leadership honors that reflect the firm’s commitment to service, community...
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Estate planning is about people, not just possessions, because every legacy deserves protection. On the Alt Investing Made Easy podcast, FBFK estate planning attorney Eric Bean began the conversation with a truth that resonates more than it surprises: “You already have an estate plan; the legislature wrote it for you. The question is, do you like their version?” For business owners, investors, and families building wealth, Bean’s message is simple: estate planning is for everyone. Even if your assets are well below the $15 million federal estate tax exemption, not planning means giving up control over who receives your assets, who raises your children, and who makes medical decisions if you can’t. “Once we signed those documents and we had that in place, a lot of peace of mind followed,” Bean shared. “It’s a huge relief knowing something functional is in place.” Before focusing on estate planning, Bean clerked for the Fourteenth Court of Appeals in Houston, where he saw how family disputes unfold in probate. He later became a partner at a boutique estate planning and probate litigation firm. That experience drives his philosophy: plan to avoid litigation and guardianships. “Having seen firsthand what happens when these things aren’t done, I help clients structure their affairs to prevent those same problems,” he said. Under current law, estates valued under roughly $15 million per person (adjusted for inflation) are non-taxable, meaning assets can pass to beneficiaries without federal estate tax. For married couples, that’s about $30 million. Bean calls his approach “Leave it to Beaver” planning: “The classic example is my wife and kids. I leave everything to my wife, she leaves everything to me, and if we both die, it goes to our kids, usually in trust. It’s very simple.” This straightforward structure fits most families, focusing on fairness, clarity, and minimizing conflict rather than tax complexity. If you die without a will, the state decides who inherits your assets, who raises your children, and how the process unfolds. Probate becomes longer, more expensive, and emotionally taxing. “The legislature has written one for you,” Bean explained. “The question is, do you like their version or would you rather have more control?” A well-drafted will keeps probate simple. Without one, families face court approvals for every step, selling property, paying bills, or distributing assets, resulting in higher legal fees and stress. Common Triggers for Estate Litigation 1. Handwritten “Napkin Wills.” Informal wills often create confusion and years of disputes. 2. Last-Minute Changes. Sudden revisions late in life can spark claims of undue influence. 3. Naming One Sibling as Trustee. “Everybody gets along, until they don’t,” Bean cautioned. Giving one child control over others’ inheritances often leads to conflict. Estate planning isn’t just about death; it’s about who makes decisions if you can’t. “It’s easy to plan for death,” Bean said. “It’s hard to plan for incapacity.” A complete estate plan includes: • Will and guardianship declarations • Financial (durable) power of attorney • Medical power of attorney • Living will (directive to physicians) • HIPAA release • Guardian declaration for adults These documents allow trusted people to act for you without court involvement, avoiding costly guardianships. Guardianship can remove an individual’s rights without a criminal conviction. “If you can avoid that, you want to do it,” Bean emphasized. Having served as an attorney ad litem in guardianship proceedings, Bean knows both the value and the risks. Many cases are legitimate, but others result from a lack of prior planning, something easily preventable with the right documents in place. Beyond legal protection, proper planning delivers calm and clarity. Families leave Bean’s office “visibly lighter,” he said. The financial logic is equally strong: “The process when you don’t have a plan versus when you do is a big money savings on the backend for your family. Invest a little bit today.” Alternative investments, private equity, syndications, and real estate partnerships often have transfer restrictions and succession requirements. Without an estate plan, these assets can freeze in probate, disrupting capital calls or even triggering defaults. Bean’s “simple but solid” approach ensures all assets, including business interests, transition smoothly according to your wishes. Eric Bean’s practice reflects FBFK Law’s people-first approach to legal services. Across our Dallas, Houston, Austin, and Orange County offices, our attorneys combine estate, tax, and business planning to protect families and the businesses they’ve built. “There are two certainties in life, death and taxes,” Bean said. “And incidentally, that’s exactly what you need an estate and tax planning attorney for.” Watch the full episode of Alt Investing Made Easy featuring Eric Bean or listen on Apple Podcasts to learn more about the critical requirements for QSBS.
Alt Investing Made Easy | Estate Planning Simplified: Protecting Your Legacy Under the $15M Exemption
November 11, 2025
Estate planning is about people, not possessions. FBFK Law’s Eric Bean reminds us: “You already have...
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2026 Best Law Firms
FBFK Law Earns Regional Rankings in 2026 Best Law Firms® Ranked by Best Lawyers®
November 6, 2025
FBFK Law is pleased to announce that eighteen of our practice areas were ranked regionally on the 2026...
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Alt Investing Made Easy: How Qualified Small Business Stock Can Save You Millions
Alt Investing Made Easy: How Qualified Small Business Stock Can Save You Millions
October 29, 2025
FBFK Law tax attorney Dan Baucum joined Alt Investing Made Easy to discuss QSBS, a Section 1202 tax strategy...
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Megan F. Clontz
FBFK Law Shareholder Megan Clontz Featured in the October 2025 Issue of the ABI Journal
October 28, 2025
Megan F. Clontz explores one of bankruptcy law’s most intricate topics, how liens extend to post-petition...
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