Marlyn Schulz, Attorney at Law

Marlyn Schulz, Attorney at Law As a boutique law firm, we love educating and helping families secure their legacy.

“I don’t have enough to need an estate plan.”I hear this all the time.But estate planning isn’t about how much you have....
05/21/2026

“I don’t have enough to need an estate plan.”

I hear this all the time.

But estate planning isn’t about how much you have.

It’s about decisions.

Who steps in if you can’t?

Who gets what?

How easy (or difficult) you make things for your family.

I’ve seen families deal with court processes, delays, and added stress…

Not because of the size of the estate.

Because there was no clear plan.

You don’t need a certain number in your bank account to need an estate plan.

You just need people in your life who would be affected if something happened.

“Intentionally Defective” is probably not the wording most people want to hear in estate planning.But an Intentionally D...
05/14/2026

“Intentionally Defective” is probably not the wording most people want to hear in estate planning.

But an Intentionally Defective Grantor Trust (IDGT) can be an incredibly powerful strategy in the right situation.

The problem is that most explanations make it sound far more complicated than it needs to be.

So, we broke it down simply:
• what it is
• how it works
• why someone may use it
• where it fits in an estate plan

Because understanding the strategy matters more than understanding the acronym.

No one plans for that phone call.Everything changes in an instant.And while the family is still trying to process what j...
05/07/2026

No one plans for that phone call.

Everything changes in an instant.

And while the family is still trying to process what just happened…

The questions start:
“What do we do next?”

“Who’s in charge?”

“Did they have anything in place?”

I’ve seen families sitting around tables, going through papers, logging into accounts, trying to piece things together.

Not just grieving.

But managing decisions, deadlines, and responsibilities that they weren’t prepared for.

It’s overwhelming.

And it’s avoidable.

Estate planning isn’t about expecting the worst.

It’s about making things easier for the people who would have to step in.

Most people focus on what they own.The real planning happens around what it’s about to become.That’s where a GRAT can co...
04/30/2026

Most people focus on what they own.

The real planning happens around what it’s about to become.

That’s where a GRAT can come into play—shifting future growth out of your estate.

Not for everyone.
Not guaranteed.

But in the right situation, it can make a meaningful difference.

Most people focus on what they own.The real planning happens around what it’s about to become.That’s where a GRAT can co...
04/30/2026

Most people focus on what they own.

The real planning happens around what it’s about to become.

That’s where a GRAT can come into play...shifting future growth out of your estate.

Not for everyone.

Not guaranteed.

But in the right situation, it can make a meaningful difference.

04/23/2026

If you’ve ever wondered what a good estate planning process feels like, here it is:

• They ask about your life, not just your assets
• They explain things in plain English
• They walk you through real “what if” scenarios
• They talk about implementation, not just documents
• You leave understanding what you actually have

You shouldn’t walk out thinking, “I guess that’s handled.”

You should walk out knowing exactly how it works.

Clarity is the difference.

04/16/2026

Taxes, debts, and funeral costs don’t wait.

An estate plan isn’t just about who gets what.

It’s about how fast they get it.

Even with a perfect trust, assets take time to liquidate.

Meanwhile, taxes, debts, and funeral costs don’t wait.

A liquidity gap can turn grief into a financial crisis. Life insurance or cash reserves give families the breathing room they need, so they don’t have to sell at a “fire sale” just to cover bills.

A well-rounded plan provides security when it’s needed most.

Incoming SPOILER.Big and Carrie finally got it right… eventually.But when Big died, there was one detail that changed ev...
04/14/2026

Incoming SPOILER.

Big and Carrie finally got it right… eventually.

But when Big died, there was one detail that changed everything.

He left money to his ex-wife.

Not a small amount. Enough to make Carrie pause… and question everything.

His intentions.

Their relationship.

What it all meant.

Because from the outside, it didn’t look like closure.

It looked like unfinished business.

That’s what happens when estate plans don’t reflect your current life.

In real life, I see a version of this all the time after divorce:
• Outdated beneficiaries
• Old documents still in place
• Decisions that no longer match reality

And when someone passes, those loose ends don’t just stay legal…

They become emotional.

They create confusion. Doubt.

Sometimes, even conflict between the people left behind.

Your estate plan tells a story about your priorities.

Make sure it reflects your present, not your past.
• Update your will
• Revise your trust
• Change beneficiary designations

Because what you leave behind isn’t just assets.

It’s clarity… or in Carrie's case, questions.

04/09/2026

You won the case.

But is your client’s settlement truly protected?

Minor children, disabilities, or long-term care needs can turn a big win into even more sleepless nights… sometimes before the client even touches the check.

Early estate planning can prevent frozen funds, court control, and unnecessary stress, but this step can be overlooked.

Watch how simple coordination now can save your client (and their family) later.

If you could ask an estate planning attorney anything…What would you want to know?Tomorrow I’ll be hosting a live estate...
04/07/2026

If you could ask an estate planning attorney anything…

What would you want to know?

Tomorrow I’ll be hosting a live estate planning Q&A session with the San Francisco Public Library.

We’ll start with a short overview of the essentials and then spend the rest of the time answering audience questions.

If you’ve been wondering things like:
• Do I really need a trust?
• What happens if I become incapacitated?
• How can my family avoid probate?

This is your chance to ask.

You can also submit questions ahead of time when you register, and we’ll cover as many as possible during the session.

📅 Tomorrow – April 8
🕐 12:00–1:30 PM PST

If you’d like to join, the registration link is in the comments.

04/02/2026

Most people focus on what they own.

The real planning happens around what it’s about to become.

That’s where a GRAT can come into play—shifting future growth out of your estate.

Not for everyone.
Not guaranteed.

But in the right situation, it can make a meaningful difference.

Address

101 E Main Street
Brenham, TX
77833

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Tuesday 11am - 4pm
Wednesday 11am - 4pm
Thursday 11am - 4pm
Friday 11am - 4pm

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+12815295176

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