Austin Will Attorney

Secure Your Legacy with a Trusted Austin Will Lawyer

A will can ensure you take care of your loved ones after you’re gone. An Austin will attorney from Ford + Bergner LLP can guide you through will creation and provide you with peace of mind. Contact Ford + Bergner LLP at 713-260-3926 to reach out to our Austin will attorney. We provide personalized help to make your wishes a priority.

What Is a Will?

Wills are documents people use to outline their estates and distribute assets to beneficiaries after death. They are one of the most simple ways to perform tasks like detailing who will inherit your property, appointing a guardian for minor children, and naming an executor to oversee your estate.

In Texas, wills need to meet certain requirements to be legally valid. Your will must be in writing, and you must sign it. Additionally, you must have two witnesses who are at least 14 years old sign the will. However, there are different requirements for holographic wills, which are written completely in your own handwriting. Witnesses are not required to sign these types of wills.

Unlike trusts, wills must go through probate. However, the probate process can be much simpler when a valid will exists.

Common Myths About Wills

It can be difficult to understand what is true about wills and what is a myth. Several misconceptions exist, which can lead many people down the wrong path when estate planning. At Ford + Bergner LLP, we believe it is important to dispel what myths we can so our clients can make informed choices. Some common myths include:

Only Wealthy People Need Wills

While the myth that only the wealthy need wills could not be further from the truth, this is a prominent belief. Wills are essential, no matter the amount of wealth an individual possesses. They can provide important instructions, such as who to appoint as a guardian for minor children. Wills are for everyone—not just the wealthy.

Handwritten Wills Are Always Legally Binding

The validity of a handwritten will can depend on the jurisdiction. If you would like to create a handwritten will, it is essential to speak with an Austin will attorney to ensure your document offers you the protection you need. In most cases, having your will drafted by an attorney can be a wiser choice to ensure it meets all legal requirements and avoids potential issues.

Wills Never Need Updates

While drafting a will is important, it is also important to realize that wills should be updated when life changes occur. Many people experience life events like marriages, divorces, births of children, and significant changes in assets, but they forget to update their wills. An outdated will can become ineffective as time goes on. Our team believes it is crucial to ensure your documents stay updated as time goes on.

You can leave it to us to review and update your will regularly. This way, you won’t have to do it all at once later in life.

Joint Ownership Means Assets Automatically Pass On

While designations like joint ownership with right of survivorship are important and can help you avoid probate, they may not align with your overall estate plan. A will can provide more control over your asset distribution. The advantages and disadvantages of certain documents are essential to remember when you make your estate planning decisions.

My Spouse Will Inherit Everything No Matter What

Without a will, you have no guarantee the state will distribute your assets as you want them to. State intestacy laws can bypass your wishes when you do not make them clear in legal documents. A will can ensure you have full control over the distribution of your assets, whether you have a spouse or not.

Benefits of Hiring an Austin Will Attorney

Hiring an Austin will attorney can help you ensure your estate plan can set your loved ones up for success. There are numerous advantages beyond the basic document itself, including:

• Clarity and Accuracy: Having an attorney draft your will is unnecessary, but doing so can ensure your will is clear and accurate. Our team can minimize the potential for misunderstandings and legal disputes. We can ensure the document accurately reflects your wishes so your family can avoid any confusion after you are gone.
• Tax Efficiency: Estate taxes can significantly minimize your estate. Our attorney can help implement tax-saving strategies in your will so your beneficiaries can receive more of your property.
• Protection for Loved Ones: A well-crafted will allows you to do more than pass assets to your beneficiaries. In your will, we can help you designate guardians for minor children to ensure their well-being in the event of your incapacity or death. You can also specify how to distribute assets to adult beneficiaries through your will.
• Peace of Mind: Many people pass away without the chance to plan their estate adequately. An Austin will attorney can walk you through the steps necessary to look after your loved ones, providing peace of mind to both you and your family. Crafting your will before the time comes can also alleviate any stress and uncertainty later in life.
• Probate Efficiency: Wills do not bypass probate, but with our help, your probate process can move quicker and more efficiently, saving your estate time and money. Lengthy probate processes can use up valuable resources that could instead go to your loved ones. Working with us can ensure your asset distribution is streamlined and your loved ones’ burden is reduced.
• Asset Protection: In some cases, we can create other estate planning tools in addition to a will toprotect your assets from lawsuits and creditors. Fighting unnecessary claims can take time, which can deplete your estate’s assets. Trusts are one estate planning tool that can provide strong protection.
• Charitable Giving: Many people seek to support charitable causes through parts of their estate. We can help you set up your will to support the organizations that mean the most to you.
• Business Succession Planning: For business owners, a will can be an essential tool for succession planning. Wills can guarantee the continuation of your business and protect your family and business partners’ interests.

By working with our Austin will attorney, you can create the estate plan you need to outline your wishes. You deserve a will that represents your unique circumstances.

Services Our Austin Will Attorney Can Provide

At Ford + Bergner LLP, we know creating a will can be one of the most important decisions you ever make. Ensuring a will represents your wishes properly can be difficult. Our Austin will attorneys take the time to listen to your story and your wishes. We craft personalized wills to suit your needs and reflect aspects like family dynamics, changes in your life, and your long-term goals for your estate. Our will creation services include:

• Consultation and Needs Assessment: Instead of handing you a pre-made will and hoping it fits your needs, we start with an initial consultation. This meeting allows us to have a high-level understanding of your assets, liabilities, family structure, and overall objectives. This picture of your state of affairs can be crucial for the success of your estate plan.
• Beneficiary Identification: While many people may believe they know their beneficiaries, it is essential to work with a professional to lay out the hierarchy of your beneficiaries and any special provisions regarding what they should receive. When you have minor children and beneficiaries with special needs, we can also help you provide for them through your will.
• Executor and Guardian Designation: It is an immense responsibility to execute a will. Despite good intentions, not everyone is up to the task. We can assist you in understanding the qualifications and duties of an executor to ensure you give this role to someone who can handle it properly. When necessary, our Austin will attorneys can also help you select the most suitable guardian for your minor children, which is often difficult as well.
• Will Drafting and Review: Preparing a well-drafted will to meet your wishes is essential, but it must comply with Texas law. When you work with us, we ensure compliance is a priority. We review the document thoroughly and address all relevant aspects. If you ever need an update to your will, we are always available to make a change.
• Coordination With Additional Planning Documents: Integrating your will with other documents, like powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and living wills, can help you enjoy a comprehensive estate plan that fits your needs. Your well-being and that of your loved ones matter to us at Ford + Bergner LLP.
• Other Will Formation Factors: Complex estate planning considerations can and do arise often. We have the knowledge to address these difficult tasks, like helping you understand the needs of your blended family, special needs beneficiaries, or business.

From the initial consultation to executing your will, our goal is to grant you and your loved one peace of mind. Ensuring your wishes are met can mean the difference between your family properly grieving or having disputes over unnecessary details. We offer ongoing support to you and your loved ones throughout the will creation process and beyond.

Schedule a Consultation With Our Austin Will Attorney

Leaving your legacy to chance can mean leaving your loved ones with difficult decisions rather than the opportunity to grieve you properly. While many people try to ignore the topic of estate planning until later in their lives, it is important to start thinking of how to protect yourself and the people you love as soon as possible. At Ford + Bergner LLP, we know estate planning is essential, and we want to make it simple for you.

Contact our Austin will attorneys today at 713-260-3926 for a consultation. We can help you create a will to reflect the wishes you have for your estate after you are gone.

[Related: Estate Planning Tips for Blended Families]

FAQs

Q: Do I Need a Will?

A: Creating a will can be a fundamental part of an estate plan, so while you do not need one, you may want one to protect your interests. Other estate planning tools exist, but speaking with an Austin will attorney is essential to understand what tools suit your situation. Sometimes, you may decide to forgo a will, but knowing your options and what makes the most sense is imperative.

Q: What Happens If I Do Not Have a Will?

A: What happens if you do not have a will depends on the lack or presence of other estate planningtools. Dying in intestacy or without a proper estate plan can leave a world of difficulty for your loved ones. Avoiding this situation at all costs can benefit those grieving you immensely.

In certain cases, bypassing a will for another estate planning tool, like a trust, can be beneficial. Still, plenty of reasons exist to use a will alongside a trust.

Q: How Much Does It Cost to Create a Will With an Austin Will Attorney?

A: The cost of creating a will with an Austin will attorney can differ depending on the facts of your situation. Many times, attorneys charge specific fees for will creation, which may be hourly or all upfront. It is essential to understand that every case is different. Complicated estates can necessitate higher costs.

Q: Can I Update My Will After Its Creation?

A: Yes. Life events like marriage, divorce, the birth of children, or significant asset changes can necessitate a will modification. It is essential to review your will and make regular updates as needed. Your desires for your estate will also likely change when your circumstances change. Our skilled attorneys can walk you through the necessary steps to make updates when you need them.