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At a high level, a trust is a legal vehicle used to implement a strategy. The mechanics are consistent, but the structure changes depending on what you are trying to accomplish.

The most common mistake in estate planning is not having a plan. The second is putting a thoughtful plan together, signing the documents, and then doing nothing else.

For many families, especially in Texas, Limited Partnerships have long been a familiar way to organize ownership. They are often used to hold operating businesses, real estate, and investment assets across generations.

People are drawn to high-profile family disputes, especially when they involve well-known figures and large fortunes. So when the Murdoch trust became the subject of litigation, it was quickly framed as a failure of planning or jurisdiction.

Every few months, a new case surfaces and gets framed as a referendum on Domestic Asset Protection Trusts. United States v. Huckaby is already being talked about that way.

For decades, families were told that once their wealth reached a certain level of complexity, there was only one responsible path forward: build a family office. Structure required infrastructure, and infrastructure required cost.

Texas is one of the best places in the country to live and build a business. It offers strong protections for individuals and a favorable environment for growth.

When people talk about dynasty trusts, the conversation usually starts with duration. The ability to extend a trust across generations, while protecting assets from creditors, divorce, and estate taxes, is often the focal point.