Ancillary documents · Texas-statutory
The documents that work while you're alive.
A will and a trust handle what happens after your death. Ancillary documents handle what happens while you're still alive but unable to act for yourself — a medical emergency, an extended hospitalization, cognitive decline, or even a routine surgery where someone needs to step in for a few days. Without these documents, your family has to ask a Texas court for permission to do basic things on your behalf. With them, your chosen agents can act immediately. Every ancillary document on TexasEstates.com is Texas-statutory — drafted to match the forms approved by the Texas Estates Code and the Texas Health & Safety Code. Attorney-reviewed before delivery.
The Texas ancillary document set
Statutory Durable Power of Attorney ($197)
Authorizes a named agent to handle your financial affairs — banking, real estate, tax matters, business interests. Statutory form under Tex. Est. Code Ch. 752. Durable means it survives your incapacity, which is the whole point.
Medical Power of Attorney ($197)
Authorizes a named agent to make healthcare decisions for you when you can't. Statutory form under Tex. Health & Safety Code Ch. 166. Specifies what authority the agent has and any limits you want to impose.
Directive to Physicians / Living Will ($147)
Your written instructions about life-sustaining treatment if you have a terminal or irreversible condition. Statutory form under Tex. Health & Safety Code § 166.033. Lets you express your wishes in advance so your agent and your physicians know what you want.
HIPAA Authorization ($97)
Authorizes specific people to access your medical information. Without this, your spouse or adult children may be blocked from receiving your medical records — even in an emergency, even when they're trying to make a Medical POA decision for you.
Declaration of Guardian (Incapacity) ($97)
Designates the person you want to serve as guardian of your person and your estate if you ever become incapacitated. Tex. Est. Code § 1104.202. Texas courts give priority to your written designation.
Declaration of Guardian for Minor Children ($197)
A parent's written designation of who should raise their minor children if both parents are unable. Tex. Est. Code § 1104.153. Texas courts give priority to a parent's written designation. Stands on its own — separate from any guardian nomination in your will.
Medical Authorization for Minor — Travel ($177)
Lets a grandparent, aunt, family friend, or trusted adult authorize medical care for your child while you're away. Required by most pediatric ERs and urgent-care clinics before they will treat a minor without a parent present. Tex. Fam. Code § 34.001 et seq.
Why a Texas-statutory form matters
Each of these documents has a specific statutory form in Texas law. A form from another state — or a generic online template — may be partially honored, but the safer path is the Texas-statutory version. Banks, hospitals, and physicians recognize the statutory form on sight. They know it's valid. They act on it without delay.
These two work together. The Medical POA authorizes someone to make decisions for you. The HIPAA Authorization gives that same person access to the medical information they need to make those decisions. Without both, the agent can be in the room but locked out of the chart. Always do them together.
Who needs these?
- Every adult — yes, every adult. The week you turn 18, your parents lose automatic authority over your healthcare and finances.
- Adults with aging parents — pair these for both yourself and your parent (with their consent)
- Anyone scheduled for surgery, even routine, who wants someone authorized to act if recovery takes longer than expected
- Anyone with chronic conditions, mental health considerations, or genetic risk factors
- Anyone who travels frequently or works in hazardous fields
- Minors — these documents are designed for adult use; minors require parental authority
- Adults already operating under court-ordered guardianship — the court order supersedes any private designation
Pricing
Flat fees · attorney-drafted · Texas-statutory
Declaration of Guardian (Incapacity)
Designates your preferred guardian if you ever become incapacitated.
Start DeclarationDirective to Physicians (Living Will)
Statutory directive — written instructions about life-sustaining treatment.
Start DirectiveMedical Authorization for Minor — Travel
Lets a trusted adult authorize medical care for your child while you're away.
Start Travel AuthorizationDurable Power of Attorney
Statutory Texas durable POA — financial authority for a named agent.
Start Durable POAMedical Power of Attorney
Statutory medical POA — healthcare decision authority for a named agent.
Start Medical POADeclaration of Guardian for Minor Children
Designates who raises your minor children if you can't (Tex. Est. Code § 1104.153).
Start Declaration for MinorsEssentials Package
Simple Will + 5 core ancillary documents. The complete starting point for most adults.
Start Essentials