Wills Attorney in McAllen

Taking a Personalized Approach to Estate Planning and Wills in South Texas

When you pass away, are you sure your loved ones will be cared for? When your estate goes through probate, will some challenges drive a wedge between your surviving loved ones? These and other important matters can be addressed with proper estate planning documents. Individuals with minor children may have additional concerns, such as legal guardianship for the kids. Business owners have their problems as well. Do you have the future of your business succession plan figured out? Unless these issues are addressed during your lifetime, it will be up to state laws to determine how to pass property on to beneficiaries and heirs.

The way to plan for the future is by drafting a last will that establishes your final wishes for how your legacy will live on and your estate assets will be distributed. Creating a valid will that meets all the necessary criteria in Texas can be challenging without help. We encourage you to seek the professional legal representation of lawyers who know these practice areas.

Our law firm offers compassionate legal services to clients and their families involved in drafting, revising, executing, and contesting wills. To learn more about how we can assist you in these legal matters, please contact us to schedule your free case review today.

Why Do You Need a Will? 

All adults in Texas must have an estate plan of some kind, which would typically mean that they would have a will. Those who decide not to secure the future of their assets and ensure that the right people are inheriting the right assets will leave their loved ones with unexpected complications during the probate process.

With a valid will, you can designate which beneficiary shall inherit what property or asset from your estate. You can leave detailed instructions for your family to fulfill your final wishes. Establish who you wish to be the executor of the estate instead of letting a judge decide in probate court. Determine legal guardianship for any minor children that you may leave behind. And provide directions on how to pay and manage debts.

What Happens if You Die Without a Will?

When you die without a will, your estate will be administered, and assets will be distributed according to Texas’s intestacy laws. Distributing estate property according to intestate laws can risk estates falling into chaos during probate as one or more interested parties raise objections or challenge the proceedings. In the worst-case scenarios, your surviving family members go to court to fight for the assets and property they believe they are entitled to. 

Drafting a valid will under the supervision of an experienced lawyer is the surest way to avoid such a negative eventuality.

Do Wills Need to Be Regularly Updated?

Wills should be reviewed and potentially revised at least once every two to three years. However, certain life events may require more immediate attention.

If a beneficiary in your will has passed away, this would be a good reason to revise the will. Additionally, instances of marriage, divorce, significant changes in financial circumstances, birth of a new child, and others would be solid reasons to update your will.

Contact Our South Texas Law Firm for a Free Consultation with a Compassionate Wills Lawyer

If you want to write your first will, we can help you. Those looking to review or revise their wills can also find help here. If you are going through the probate process and are trying to validate the will, we’ll be there. And whether you are contesting a will or trying to defend the will as it is written, we can provide dedicated legal counsel throughout litigation.

Wills provide peace of mind not afforded by many other legal documents. They also simplify matters for our loved ones after our deaths when they are going through stages of grief. 

For legal assistance with wills and other estate planning measures, please call our South Texas law firm at 956-707-3610 to request a free case evaluation.