Estate Planning Lawyer in San Antonio

Preparing You for the Future

When planning for the future, many people do not think about what they need to do until after something happens. Unfortunately, this can be a costly mistake that may leave you and your family in a difficult situation. Luckily, there is something that you can do to prepare for the unexpected.

San Antonio residents rely on South TX Family Law’s experienced professionals to guide them through the process of customizing their wills and other legal documents so their families will be protected both now and throughout the years.

We have been helping San Antonio residents craft customized estate plans for many years, and we understand how difficult it can be to deal with such personal matters when planning for the future or going through an already trying time.

Whether someone has recently passed away without leaving any instructions behind or you feel like you want to protect yourself and your family in the future, legal documents can act as an important foundation for what happens next. With a proper estate planning lawyer in San Antonio, you can provide your family members with a sense of relief, knowing that everything is going to be okay, even if something unfortunate takes place in the future.

What is Estate Planning?

Estate planning refers to putting together any legal documents that help your estate run more smoothly now and in the future following your death. A comprehensive estate plan includes several different plans, and having one custom-made by an estate planning lawyer in San Antonio can help ensure that all relevant elements are considered. For many, this means creating a will that lets you decide who your assets will go to after you pass away. Still, other similar options, like trusts and living wills, can also be customized.

Planning for the future can seem daunting without the right help, but it is essential to remember that you do not have to go through the estate planning process alone. Estate planning lawyers in San Antonio are dedicated to helping their clients get the peace of mind they deserve so they can focus on enjoying life today while also preparing for what may come tomorrow.

Why Do I Need an Estate Plan?

There are many different reasons why you may need an estate plan, and it is important not to dismiss the idea without first exploring your options. If you have a family, creating a will explaining what will happen after you pass away can help ease them into the situation and ensure their needs will be met. Other legal documents like trusts and advance directives can also play an important role in future plans for those who do not want to leave such matters up to chance or rely on others to make decisions when they cannot.

You may be surprised to know that without a will, a trust, or some other legal form of pre-planning, the probate court judge does not have the power to divide your property in whatever manner seems fair nor according to what you have verbally expressed that you want or do not want. The probate judge must strictly follow the statute as to what happens to your property if you have failed to leave a will or trust. Without pre-planning, the intestate process is slow, expensive and frustrating for those you leave behind and sometimes the cost of probate exceeds the value of the estate so the property ends up forfeited to the state of Texas. We have seen cases where the decedent did not own much during his or her lifetime and they may have thought that by naming a beneficiary on their bank account that they had done all that was needed, but in reality, there was a sum of money owed to the decedent after their death, either from a life insurance policy or a personal injury lawsuit, and the money could not be disbursed until an intestate estate was created in probate court.

Rather than simply hoping everything works out for the best, those who attempt to plan ahead as much as possible give themselves peace of mind, knowing that their intentions and wishes will be carried through even if something were to happen.

What Estate Planning Documents Do I Need in Texas?

Our Texas lawyers often hear clients ask what estate planning documents are most important. While we can give generalized answers here, the best way for you to get legal counsel for your unique situation is by speaking with an estate planning attorney like those at our law firm. Your lawyer can identify what documents make the most sense in your circumstances, including adjusting documents to match your family’s needs and goals.
Some examples of commonly-used estate documents include:

• Wills – The will outlines the decedent’s wishes regarding passing on the inheritance. It also names crucial people who execute the estate, such as the estate administrator and guardian of minor children
• Trusts – Trusts are becoming increasingly recognized for their tax and asset protection. Trusts are helpful if a beneficiary is disabled, receiving government subsidies, unable to manage money, immature, or an addict. A trust may be needed due to the location or nature of your property or the size of your estate. Finally, trusts allow you greater flexibility in how you pass on assets to beneficiaries
• Powers of attorney – A power of attorney retains decision-making authority should you be unable or unwilling to do so and applies to matters such as healthcare and finances

Please get in touch with our law firm immediately to help craft the proper documents for your family.

How Do Estate Planning Lawyers Help?

Not only can an experienced attorney help you work through all the potential details related to your will and other legal documents, but they can also provide advice regarding any tax implications that should be considered. By taking advantage of these services, you can rest easy knowing that your estate is well cared for.

Your estate planning lawyer can also assist you if you are facing probate or estate administration on behalf of a loved one. Our San Antonio estate planning firm has extensive experience helping individuals navigate the complex probate process. We’ll help at every step of the way, ensuring each task is completed thoroughly so you can avoid unnecessary legal action.

Which Estate Planning Law Firm is Right for Me?

One of the most essential parts of creating an estate plan is ensuring it will fulfill your wishes concerning the distribution of property, assets, and other possessions after you pass away. However, there is much more than these financial elements to consider when drafting such documents.

Our law firm is located 12 minutes from The University of Texas at San Antonio, 15 minutes away from San Antonio Botanical Garden, and about 4 miles away from McAllister Park. San Antonio International Airport (SAT) is only 4 miles away. We are on highway 281 just south of Loop 1604, near the Stone Oak area.

We take pride in putting our client’s best interests first while providing sound legal advice and representation. Call us today at (210) 775-0353 to get started.