Corpus Christi Estate Planning & Probate Attorney
Awarded Lawyer Dedicated to Preserving Your Rights
In complicated legal matters that are critical for the future, you need
to know that you can work with a Corpus Christi probate attorney who has
your best interests at heart. You need to work with an experienced attorney
who can put their extensive knowledge of federal and state law to work
for your estate legal issues.
At The Law Offices of Alex R. Hernandez, Jr. PLLC, our clients come first.
Not only does this show in the great results we deliver, but it has been
recognized by so many others, leading to a 10.0 out of 10.0 Superb rating
from Avvo. This objective rating not only reflects more than a decade
of experience, but it highlights our legal skills and ethical standards.
Our legal team in Corpus Christi is qualified to help you with all your
estate planning and probate needs. Whether you want to draft a legally
sound document, contest a will or trust, or need legal help to oversee
a trust or estate administration, our lawyers have the skill and passion
to help you.
Our legal services include helping our diverse clients in issues such as:
- Creating a Will or Trust
- Avoiding Probate
- Powers of Attorney
-
Trust &
Will Litigation
Top Benefits of Estate Planning
- Appoint a personal representative to manage your affairs according to your
wishes and instructions
- Protect your assets in the event of your death, a divorce or a lawsuit
- Avoid a significant amount of estate taxes
- Help your family members avoid the lengthy and costly probate process
- Ensure that your loved one with special needs is provided for and receives
their inheritance as well as government aid
Things You Should Know About Probate in Texas
-
How long does the probate process take?
- The average duration for the probate of a small estate could be handled
in just one day in court. However, for more complicated estates, the process
could take months or even years.
-
What the role of the executor during probate?
- The executor is whoever the decedent appointed to handle their estate.
Their sole responsibility is to assemble all the property and pay off
any remaining taxes or debts. They then distribute remaining assets to
beneficiaries.
-
What does "domicile" mean in the context of estate and probate law?
- This term refers to the place or country that the individual intended to
make their permanent home. This does not always refer to the place of
residence where the person was living at the time of their death.
Avoiding Probate
The probate process in Texas is touted as one of the easiest to go through.
However, avoiding the state’s involvement is still appealing. Here
are some steps you can take to avoid probate court completely:
- Ensure all of your assets have “survivorship rights." This means
each party written on the asset has it stated that assets pass to the
survivor in the event of one person's death.
- Ensure your assets also include the wording “transfer on death”
or “payable-upon-death”. Items that can fall under this list
include bonds and stocks, retirement funds, and life insurance.
- Obtain an affidavit of heirship to a motor vehicle for any car titles with
only one party members name listed.
- Add a right of survivorship to a home title to create a joint tenancy,
assuming the home is in only one person’s name, or have a skilled
estate attorney generate a “life estate arrangement.” Both
solutions enable both parties the ability to transfer deeds to one another,
avoiding probate.
- Create a power of attorney to allow one person to make decisions on your
behalf, should you become incapacitated. This document allows the “attorney”
to avoid Texas probate by ensuring all documents are worded properly prior
to the other party’s death.
- Set up a trust for any eligible assets. Living trusts and other trusts
allow you to clearly name a beneficiary for the assets. In the unfortunate
event of one person’s passing, assets still stay in the trust, eliminating
the need to transfer assets altogether.
Setting up an estate plan can benefit you and your loved ones, but they
can be very tricky to compose. If you would like guidance around avoiding
probate in Texas, contact our offices today.
Get the Help You Deserve from a Probate Attorney in Corpus Christi
If you believe a document was created through undue influence, you can
find the experienced trial lawyer you need to challenge a trust or will.
Attorney Alex Hernandez has been taking cases to trial since 2001. If
you are feeling overwhelmed as a trustee or executor, or if you are unsure
whether your property will escape probate, do not hesitate to give our
firm a call.
Our Corpus Christi estate and probate lawyers can provide insight into
every process of estate planning. Start getting the answers you need by
filling out your
free case review today!