No One Told Me This: Estate Planning & Probate Avoidance for Our Community

“No One Told Me...” is a free community workshop on estate planning and probate avoidance, with a focus on the unique needs of LGBTQ+ seniors and chosen families. You'll walk away with practical knowledge about wills, powers of attorney, advance directives, and how probate works in Texas—plus actionable steps to protect the people you love and ensure your wishes are respected.

The workshop is presented by two powerhouse attorneys and LGBTQ+ advocates:

Derek Mergele-Rust is a Founding Partner at DebnamRust, P.C. and an Adjunct Professor of Law at Texas Tech School of Law. He practices estate planning, probate, child welfare, and juvenile defense. Derek has a passion for educating legal professionals on issues impacting LGBTQ+ families, and his practical, community-centered approach makes estate planning accessible and empowering.

Lorie Burch is a nationally recognized estate planning attorney, speaker, and community leader with decades of advocacy under her belt. Voted “Best Civil/Family Law Attorney” by the Dallas Voice six years running, Lorie has built her career on serving diverse families and educating people about the importance of preparing for life’s “what ifs.” She brings a dynamic, engaging presence to every room she’s in.

You’ll also have the opportunity to ask your own questions during a live Q&A. Whether you’re starting from scratch or need to update your existing documents, this event will help demystify the process and give you peace of mind.

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