Wills Lawyer New Braunfels, TX

Make Your Wishes Clear With Our New Braunfels, TX Wills Lawyer

Have you been putting off writing your will, thinking that you have plenty of time when you’re older? Or, perhaps you created a will years ago, but you’ve since gotten divorced, or your spouse passed away, or your children reached their age of majority. A will is a dynamic estate planning document, not static, and when your relationships and obligations change, your will should also change. Our New Braunfels, TX wills lawyer can create a new will, revise an existing one, and answer all your questions about how your will can be a valuable piece of your larger estate plan.

When you work with the board-certified attorneys at The J.M. Dickerson Law Firm, you receive personalized estate planning service and a carefully crafted Last Will and Testament that can stand up to a dispute or challenge in probate court. As the author of The 3 Bucket Method for Asset Protection, attorney Dickerson understands just how important proper estate planning is. We’ve been helping clients just like you for nearly 30 years. We get to know you and your familial obligations and discuss your wishes for dispersing your assets. Contact us today to get started.

How Your Will Is The Centerpiece Of Your Estate Plan

An estate plan is more than just a will; many other documents in your estate plan depend on the contents of your will. In Texas, your will can disperse assets, disinherit almost anyone (except a spouse; they retain their half of community property), and designate a guardian for a minor child. Writing a good will, one that covers all your obligations and wishes, is more complicated than just filling out an online form. Our skilled estate planning attorneys create custom wills that can withstand a dispute or a challenge in probate court. And, we keep abreast of changes in the Texas Estates Code, the body of law that covers wills, inheritance, and the rights of survivors.

Your will bequeaths assets to your heirs, including property, money, and real estate. However, it’s not the only valuable piece of legal protection. We can explain how a trust, power of attorney, and business succession plan can all help protect your interests and financial goals.

Estate Administration Services

When you write a will, you select someone to act as the executor of the will. This person is usually your estate administrator or the person responsible for inventorying and valuing your estate, settling any valid debts, and distributing the remainder of your assets according to the terms of your will. This is a weighty fiduciary duty; if you don’t have someone in your life who you trust to carry out settling your estate, our estate planning lawyer can serve in this role.

We also offer guidance for people who have been named as the executor of a family member’s will but aren’t sure what to do next. Our firm can guide you through probating the will, explain your responsibilities, and help you assess any debts for validity. We can also represent you in will disputes. If you believe that your loved one’s will should be invalidated (such as being created under duress if your loved one was not of sound mind), then we can represent you in court to contest the validity of the will.

For all your will and estate planning questions, turn to The J.M. Dickerson Law Firm. Our firm uses flat-fee pricing to keep legal costs simple and predictable. Contact us today to schedule a complimentary initial consultation with our New Braunfels wills lawyer.

Legal Time Limits For Probating A Will

If you’re handling the probate of a loved one’s estate, working with our knowledgeable New Braunfels, TX wills lawyer can help you with meeting the legal time limits for probating a will. At The J.M. Dickerson Law Firm, we understand the challenges that come with this process. Timely filing verifies that all of the decedent’s wishes are honored and their estate is distributed appropriately according to Texas law. Failing to meet the required timeframes can result in complications and may even prevent the probate process from proceeding. We are here to guide you through this process and make sure everything is done in accordance with your state’s laws.

Time Limits For Filing A Will In Texas

In Texas, the time limit for probating a will is typically four years from the date of the decedent’s death. However, the will must be filed in the court where the decedent lived or owned property. Failing to file within this time frame means that the will may not be accepted, and the estate will be treated as if no will existed. Without a valid will, the estate will be distributed according to Texas intestacy laws, which may not align with the decedent’s wishes.

Our probate lawyers have a deep understanding of the probate process and its associated deadlines. We can assist you with filing the necessary paperwork within the appropriate time frame to confirm that the will is legally recognized and all assets are protected.

Consequences Of Missed Time Limits

If the time limit for probating a will is missed, the court will likely not allow the will to be submitted for probate. In cases like this, it’s especially important to consult our qualified New Braunfels wills lawyer to explore the possibility of filing a claim with the court to submit the will after the four-year limit. In some situations, there may be exceptions based on special circumstances, but these cases are more difficult and require professional legal guidance.

Exceptions To The Time Limit

Although the four-year period is standard, there are certain circumstances under which the probate process can still be initiated after the time limit has passed. For instance, if the will was not found within the four-year period, the court may allow the probate process to proceed. This often requires the submission of additional evidence, and the burden of proof rests on the person seeking to probate the will—but our asset protection attorney is here to help.

If you are dealing with a complicated situation or are unsure whether the probate deadline applies to your case, it’s important to speak with a probate lawyer. Our New Braunfels wills attorney has years of experience helping clients deal with estate planning and probate. We can provide the guidance you need to make sure that the decedent’s wishes are carried out, even when timing becomes a concern.

Contact Us Today

If you’re unsure about the time limits for probating a will or need help filing for probate, our estate attorney is ready to assist you. Contact The J.M. Dickerson Law Firm today to schedule a consultation. As a published author of The Texan’s Guide of the Probate Process and The 3 Bucket Method for Asset Protection, attorney Joseph Michael Dickerson is here to help you understand the necessary steps to making sure that your loved one’s wishes are carried out in accordance with Texas law.