Smart Estate Tax Strategies For Texans

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Last Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Read Time: 4 mins

Estate planning is a crucial step to ensure your wealth benefits your loved ones as intended. In Texas, utilizing effective estate tax strategies can significantly minimize the tax burden on your estate. Attorney Stuart A. Green, based in Houston and serving clients throughout Texas as The Woodlands, TX estate tax lawyer, emphasizes the importance of several key approaches for 2024: gifting, charitable donations, discount valuations of LLCs and FLPs, installment sales to IDGTs, and intra-family loans. Here’s a detailed look at how these strategies can help Texas residents safeguard their wealth.

Intra-Family Loans Are Keeping Wealth Within The Family

Intra-family loans can be a smart way to transfer wealth within your family. Lending money to relatives at the IRS-approved interest rate enables them to purchase appreciating assets or start businesses. Although the interest payments are taxable to you, the appreciation on the loaned funds remains outside your estate. This method benefits your family by allowing them to capitalize on growth opportunities while minimizing estate taxes.

Discount Valuations With LLCs And FLPs

Transferring assets into a Limited Liability Company (LLC) or a Family Limited Partnership (FLP) can result in significant tax savings. Due to restrictions on these interests, their market value is often appraised at a lower rate. This valuation discount allows more wealth to be transferred while using a smaller portion of your estate tax exemption. This strategy is particularly beneficial for family businesses and investment holdings.

Charitable Donations Are Giving Back And Saving Taxes

Making charitable donations is a powerful way to reduce estate taxes while supporting causes important to you. Contributions to qualified charities can be deducted from your taxable estate, providing significant tax relief. Options include:

Lump-sum donations
Setting up a charitable trust

These contributions help reduce the taxable value of your estate while allowing you to support charitable organizations.

Reducing your taxable estate can be effectively achieved through gifting. The federal gift tax exclusion for 2024 allows you to give up to $17,000 per recipient without triggering any gift tax. By transferring assets to your loved ones during your lifetime, you can decrease the size of your estate, thereby reducing potential estate taxes. This method not only offers financial benefits but also provides the joy of seeing your family benefit from your generosity.

Installment Sales To IDGTs Offer An Effective Wealth Transfer

Intentionally Defective Grantor Trusts (IDGTs) are highly effective for estate planning. By selling assets to an IDGT in exchange for an installment note, you can freeze the value of these assets for estate tax purposes. The trust pays you over time, while any increase in the asset’s value occurs outside your estate. This approach helps in transferring appreciating assets to your heirs without incurring estate or gift taxes on the appreciation.

Why These Strategies Are Crucial For Texans

The federal estate tax exemption currently stands at $13.61 million per individual, but it’s scheduled to drop in 2026 unless extended. For Texas residents, planning ahead is essential to protect your estate from potential tax increases. By incorporating these strategies, you can ensure that a greater portion of your wealth benefits your loved ones rather than being eroded by taxes as our firm can attest since we have been specializing in these strategies since our founding in 2021.

Crafting A Comprehensive Estate Plan

Combining these strategies creates a robust estate plan tailored to your specific needs. Attorney Stuart A. Green, known for his expertise in estate planning throughout Texas, can guide you through the process. Here’s a summary of the strategies discussed:

Gifting and charitable donations can reduce your estate’s size immediately.
Valuation discounts through LLCs and FLPs lower the taxable value of your assets.
Installment sales to IDGTs and intra-family loans facilitate efficient asset transfer.

Taking action now with the guidance of a knowledgeable attorney like Stuart A. Green, ensures that your estate plan effectively minimizes tax liabilities and maximizes the benefits for your heirs. Plan wisely to protect your legacy and provide for your family’s future; contact Stuart Green Law, PLLC for help. We are licensed in Texas, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and South Dakota.

The Stuart Green Law Approach

A Modern Approach to Family Wealth

Stuart Green Law combines modern South Dakota trust law with integrated estate planning, wealth management, and fiduciary services for families throughout the United States and internationally. The firm’s approach is built around selecting the strongest legal framework available, maintaining continuity of planning judgment, and bringing every part of the family’s wealth strategy into alignment with its long-term objectives.

South Dakota Law,
Wherever You Live

Families are not limited to the trust laws of their home state. Stuart Green Law integrates South Dakota’s sophisticated legal framework into estate plans for clients across the United States and around the world, allowing families to benefit from its privacy, flexibility, asset protection, and long-term trust advantages regardless of where they live.

Direct Advisory
Relationships

Stuart Green Law is intentionally structured as a boutique practice. Clients work directly with the attorney responsible for their planning, creating continuity of judgment and a deeper understanding of the family’s objectives as the plan evolves over time.

Planning That Works
as One System

Estate planning, tax strategy, wealth management, and fiduciary services are most effective when they operate together. Stuart Green Law integrates these disciplines into a cohesive framework that keeps the family’s wealth aligned with the grantor’s vision, goals, and long-term planning intent.

Client Testimonials

    
 
 
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   Thomas Gibson 
 78 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I am so GRATEFUL for Stuart Green Law!
Stuart is the kind of attorney you want protecting your family and your wealth. He opened my eyes to why South Dakota is the best  trust jurisdiction, something I never understood before speaking with him. What stands out most is that Stuart genuinely cares about family, long-term protection, and doing things the right way. His dedication to his clients is what makes him different. I would trust him with my family’s future without hesitation. Wish everyone knew about him and his law firm.
  
 
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   Charles Graham 
 109 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Working with Stuart Green Law was an outstanding experience. Stuart is knowledgeable, professional, and genuinely takes the time to understand your family’s unique goals. He explained every step of the estate planning process clearly and designed a thoughtful strategy tailored to our needs. If you’re looking for an attorney who truly cares about protecting your family’s legacy with modern, sophisticated planning, I highly recommend Stuart Green Law.
  
 
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   Mark Valentino 
 142 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I spent a lot of time researching estate planning attorneys before finding Stuart Green Law, and I couldn’t be more impressed. Stuart has an incredible ability to explain complex topics like South Dakota Trusts in a way that actually makes sense. He takes the time to answer questions, never makes you feel rushed, and genuinely cares about helping clients make informed decisions. If you’re looking for an experienced estate planning attorney, I highly recommend Stuart Green Law.
  
 
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   Angélique Green 
 168 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Stuart Green is incredibly knowledgeable and clearly operates at a very high level. His approach to estate planning and wealth strategy is thoughtful, modern, and well beyond the traditional. You can tell he genuinely cares about helping people protect what they’ve built. Truly impressive work and reputation.
  
 
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   Maria Cardenas Anderson 
 609 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had an excellent experience working with Stuart Green on my trust and will documents. From start to finish, he was incredibly responsive, patient, and thorough. He took the time to explain everything clearly, ensuring I fully understood each step of the process. Even after the trust was complete, he guided me on what still needed to be done — something I really appreciated.

Stuart’s professionalism and kind demeanor made what could have been an overwhelming experience so much easier. I felt informed and supported every step of the way. I would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a knowledgeable and attentive probate lawyer. Thank you, Stuart!
  
 
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   Chris Stinson 
 617 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Stuart Green is an exceptional estate attorney. He handled my father's living will and then his estate after his passing, as well as helping my mother finalize and complete her estate in conjunction with my father's death. Currently, he is handling the living will and estate planning for me and my wife and our family. I highly recommend him and his integrity of work.
  
 
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   Alejandra 
 618 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My experience with Stuart Green Law was a 10/10. They were professional and efficient, resolving my case quickly. I highly recommend them!
  
 
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   Joseph Marchetti 
 786 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great guy - honest businessman.  Has been very helpful for me in providing feedback and input from a law perspective on employment and legal agreements in my personal and professional life.  Would heartily recommend Stuart to others!
  
 
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   Will Desrochers 
 799 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have worked with Mr. Green for awhile now and can't recommend him highly enough. He is professional and and timely with his responses to my questions. I really appreciate how he helps me understand the plan for my estate. I look forward to continuing to work with him.
  
 
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   Chuma 
 913 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I’ve learned a great deal from Stuart on the foundational aspects of estate planning, legacy planning and asset protection. Having had the privilege  to work alongside Stuart, I can also say that he is a top tier counselor and focused on aligning his client’s personal goals with their long term objectives and wishes.