Veteran Workshop
Veteran Estate Planning Guidance in Killeen
Military life adds real complications to estate planning: SGLI beneficiary designations, deployment powers of attorney, and PCS moves that outdate old documents. This page walks through what veteran and active-duty families in Killeen should have in place.
SGLI and beneficiaries
SGLI does not follow your will.
Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance pays out based on the beneficiary listed on file with DD Form 93, not whatever a will says. Many veterans update this form once at enlistment and never revisit it, so a divorce, remarriage, or new child can leave an outdated beneficiary in place. Estate planning should include a check of SGLI and any other military or VA beneficiary designations alongside the will.
Deployment planning
A power of attorney should match the deployment, not a template.
A general power of attorney signed years ago may not give a spouse or family member authority over the specific accounts, property, or decisions that come up during a deployment or long TDY. Powers of attorney generally need to be reviewed and, where necessary, updated before departure, with clear limits on what authority is granted and for how long.
JAG vs. civilian counsel
On-base legal assistance has real limits.
Fort Hood JAG can generally prepare basic wills and powers of attorney for eligible servicemembers at no cost, and that is often a good starting point. Civilian counsel tends to matter more once the planning involves a civilian spouse, blended family, retirement or disability benefits, real property outside the base, or a trust rather than a simple will.
Retirees and spouses
Planning does not stop at separation.
Veterans and military retirees still need the same core documents as any Texas family: a will, powers of attorney, and a review of how retirement pay, VA benefits, and any property are set up to pass to the right people. A planning conversation after separation or retirement is a natural time to update whatever was put in place while still in service.
How we help
What a veteran planning conversation covers
The first call should turn a confusing legal issue into a clearer next step.
- SGLI and VA beneficiaries
Review who is currently listed and whether it still matches the family.
- Powers of attorney
Confirm the authority granted is current and matches any upcoming deployment or absence.
- Wills and trusts
Put in place or update the core documents most veteran and retiree estates need.
- JAG handoff
Pick up where on-base legal assistance leaves off for civilian spouses, property, or benefits questions.
Why Ted Smith Law Group
Ted Smith opened his Killeen practice in 1976 after serving as a Fort Hood JAG officer, and the firm still works from that same Killeen office today.
- Local office in Killeen
- The firm works from its Killeen office on E. Stan Schlueter Loop.
- 1976
- Ted Smith opened his Killeen practice after Fort Hood JAG service.
- 536
- Rated 4.6 stars by 536 clients on Google.Read the reviews
“Ted Smith and his legal assistants Carol and Crystal are highly recommended.”
Questions
Veteran Workshop FAQ.
Does SGLI go through probate?
Generally no. SGLI pays directly to the beneficiary named on file rather than through the estate or a will, so an outdated beneficiary designation can send the payout to the wrong person. It is worth confirming the current SGLI and VA beneficiary listings as part of any estate plan.
Can JAG handle my whole estate plan?
On-base JAG can generally prepare basic documents like a simple will or power of attorney for eligible servicemembers. Civilian counsel is usually the better fit once a civilian spouse, real property, blended family, retirement benefits, or trust planning is involved.
Do I need a new power of attorney before every deployment?
Not always, but an existing power of attorney should be reviewed before deployment to confirm it covers the accounts, property, and decisions that may come up while you are away. An outdated or overly narrow document can leave a spouse or family member without the authority they actually need.
What should I bring to a first conversation?
Bring any current will, power of attorney, SGLI or VA beneficiary paperwork, and information about property or accounts. If nothing has been done yet, that is common, and the first conversation can start from there.
Start the estate-planning conversation.
Call or text the Killeen office and the team will get back to you, usually within one business day.
Contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship.