Planning for the future is something everyone should consider at some point in their lives. The challenge is that most people fail to plan or simply don’t understand the legalities and are unsure what they should do. This is where a Texas probate attorney for wills and estates comes into play.
Rather than trying to navigate a complex process on your own, trust the expertise and guidance of a qualified attorney who knows the local law and can guide you every step of the way. When you hire a probate attorney, you get expert guidance for even the most simple or complex scenarios to ensure your assets are handled as you intend.
What is Probate, and Why Does it Matter?
Probate is a legal process for handling the assets and belongings of a loved one who has passed away. The legal process is established to verify a will, ensure debts are paid, and distribute assets according to the written wishes of an individual. If there is no will, Texas state law distributes the assets through probate.
Probate can sometimes be complex, while other times it may be an easy and simple process. This depends on the size of the estate, the type of assets in an estate, and whether or not there are any disputes.
The Benefits of Using a Texas Probate Attorney
Using a Texas probate attorney for wills and estates helps you work through the entirety of an estate, but it is also possible to plan your estate ahead of time to protect your legacy and ensure your wishes are clearly documented for estate distribution.
These are some of the major benefits of using an attorney.
Texas Probate Laws and Procedures
Every state, including Texas, has specific laws and procedures for processing wills and estates. A probate law attorney is trained and knowledgeable in these things. They will understand the laws as well as any local or county requirements they might need to consider.
The attorney will assist with filing the will in court, handling estate debts and taxes, distributing assets, and working through any required reporting or filing for the satisfaction of the estate.
Reduce the Risk of Disputes
When an attorney provides expert guidance, it can reduce disputes or make disputes easier to work through. Family dynamics as well as high emotions from grieving a loss can often escalate these situations, leading to disagreements and arguments over an estate.
These disputes could simply be over the interpretation of a will, but it could be the perceived fairness of asset division or even accusations of pressure or falsified handling of assets. This can lead to costly litigation, but a probate attorney can manage these disagreements and mediate the disputes, ensuring following the law and helping to discern the legal documents in play.
Guidance for Asset Protection and Management
Whether an estate has a few simple assets or has more complex holdings, a probate attorney can help establish methods to protect assets and manage assets after someone’s passing. Whether it’s mitigating tax liability or properly valuing and handling things throughout asset management, it’s a big job to handle.
Probate attorneys can secure accurate valuations, oversee the protection of property and investments, and assist with debt settlement to avoid depleting assets for these needs.
Probate Process Efficiency
A probate attorney is knowledgeable about probate. They handle these cases for a living, which means they have expertise that will help make the process more efficient overall. An attorney can guide clients through independent or dependent administration and all that it entails. They can complete paperwork and processes correctly and efficiently.
This can help minimize delays to keep the estate administration process moving smoothly and help reduce the time commitment that it may have on executors or family members.
Peace of Mind for Everyone Involved
Involving an attorney provides some peace of mind. You lean on the knowledge that they know what they are doing and you trust them in that capacity. Doing so can be so much less overwhelming than feeling like you are floundering and have no clue what you should actually be doing.
Rather than feeling alone through a complicated process, you have relief from that burden and the support of a legal professional throughout the entire process.
Hire a Texas Probate Attorney for Wills and Estates
Protecting your legacy or the legacy of a loved one ensures honoring their wishes. Proactive estate planning is always a good idea to establish a will or estate for the future. However, even when there is no will present, having the support of a probate attorney can be very helpful to navigate the process.
At Vance Hendrix, Attorney at Law, we specialize in will and estate handling. We’re here to help every step of the way. Contact us today to start planning.
