Estate Planning Lawyer in El Paso
Assisting Clients Across the State of Texas
When it comes to the end of a lifetime, you must be prepared for what happens afterward. While this may be an uncomfortable conversation initially, estate planning can be critical to ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes after death. Estate planning protects your family, as it can alleviate some of the uncertainty and instability your death may cause.
At K.E. Bradley Law, we provide comprehensive estate planning services in El Paso, such as probates, wills, and trusts for clients to prepare their loved ones after passing. Our estate planning team can help you understand the legal process and help ensure that your assets are protected just the way you want them.
Prepare for the future today by contacting our El Paso estate planning lawyer at (832) 440-0585 | (915) 222-8082 or online for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Why Estate Planning Is Important
Estate planning is critical to ensuring that your family is protected in the event of your death. It can help ensure that everything runs smoothly when transferring your assets to your heirs or beneficiaries. And with the right attorney, it can remove some of the unnecessary expenses associated with probate.
Estate planning is essential because it can help to:
- Avoid probate
- Save time and money
- Ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes
- Prevent confusion and disputes
- Provide stability for your family
- Help to ensure your children are cared for by someone you trust
Thinking about death is never easy, but the fact remains that it is inevitable. If you choose not to plan ahead, your family could spend years in court attempting to obtain what is rightfully theirs. The state will ultimately decide who gets what, and it may not be what you intended. Our El Paso estate planning lawyer can help you prevent these frustrations, making the process as smooth and easy as possible.
Important Estate Planning Tools
Estate planning involves a wide range of legal activities. Several tools are available to ensure your wishes are met after you die, from executing a will to establishing a living trust. These include:
- • Wills - If you die without a will, your assets will go to your next of kin as determined by intestate succession. The process can be grueling, and you may end up with your assets in the hands of the wrong people. With the help of an estate planning lawyer, a will can help to protect your family and ensure your property goes to who you want once you are deceased.
- • Trusts - One of the easiest ways to avoid probate is to establish a living trust. A living trust allows your property and assets to be transferred to your beneficiaries after your death.
- • Power of attorney - A power of attorney allows you to name a person who can make legal decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. You can set up a power of attorney for someone to make financial and medical decisions on your behalf. Establishing an advance healthcare directive is also an option, as it details the kind of care you would like to receive if you cannot make medical decisions for yourself.
- • Guardianship Affidavit/Guardian of Estate (Conservatorship) for minors - Deciding who will receive custody of your children in the event of your death can be one of the hardest decisions you will make. However, doing it while you are of sound mind is imperative to ensure your children are protected, making it an essential estate planning process for clients with kids.
In addition, you can also set up special needs planning to help ensure that your child or adult with special needs is adequately cared for after your death. Our estate planning lawyer in El Paso can help you understand these elements and determine how to protect your family and interests after your death.
Estate Planning Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an estate planning attorney?
Consulting with an estate probate attorney is always in your best interest. Whether you die testate (with a will) or intestate (without a will), your estate will go through probate. Probate can become a complicated legal experience, but it doesn’t have to be. Our El Paso estate planning lawyer can help ensure the probate process goes smoothly.
What if I die without a will or trust?
If you die without a will or a trust, the court will determine how your property will be distributed according to intestate succession laws. You will have no control over how your personal property is distributed, but a professional and experienced attorney can ensure this does not happen.
What is the first step in establishing an estate plan?
The first step in protecting your financial future is to contact our estate planning lawyer in El Paso. We will help make sure that your family and assets are protected after your death.
Work With An Experienced Estate Planning Lawyer in El Paso
It can be challenging to know which attorney you should choose. After all, it is one of the most important decisions you will make to ensure that your family is cared for in the event of your death.
That is why you will want to choose someone with extensive experience in the field. Consider hiring someone local to where you live so that you can easily make changes when necessary. You will also want to understand their charges and ensure you feel comfortable with them and their office.
At K.E. Bradley Law, we pride ourselves on communication, transparency, and customer service. Our firm understands that this discussion may be challenging for you and your family, but it is crucial. That is why we are ready to help you prepare for the inevitable with decades of combined experience and passion to get you the results you desire.
Contact an El Paso Estate Planning Lawyer Today!
Many people assume that you only need to begin estate planning once you have children or when you are older. The truth is that it is never too early to plan for your future. The sooner you put pen to paper about what you hope to happen after you die, the better off you will be. Estate planning protects your assets after your death and, in some cases, can be used to help avoid probate, saving your loved ones time and money.
Schedule a free consultation with an El Paso estate planning lawyer at (832) 440-0585 | (915) 222-8082.