Webster, TX Wills and Trusts Lawyer

If you want your wealth to be passed on to your children, grandchildren, and other family members with minimum hassle, you need to start planning now! Without an effective will and trust strategy that clarifies your wishes and provides for the distribution of your assets, Texas state law – not your wishes – will determine what happens to all of your possessions and your loved ones. That’s why it is so important to work with a Webster wills & trusts lawyer who can help you develop an appropriate strategy and create customized legal documents that will give you peace of mind. Attorney Michelle E. Murphy will draft a will and establish trust that accomplish your goals. Call today to schedule a free consultation and learn more!

What Is A Will?

A will is a legal document that provides instructions for the division of your property and the care of your minor children upon your death. There are numerous types of wills that you may consider in consultation with your attorney. The most common type of will is a last will and testament, which clearly lays out your wishes for when you pass away. You may have a joint will when you have the same wishes as someone else (most commonly a spouse). You should also consider a living will, also known as an advance directive, which will state your personal choices for your medical care when you can no longer make them known. 

What Is A Trust?

A trust is a fiduciary arrangement that owns assets outside of your name; when you establish a trust, you no longer own the assets yourself. They are transferred to and held in the name of the trust. However, you set the terms for how the assets in the trust will be managed during your lifetime and distributed upon your death. The trust can take effect now (unlike most wills which only go into effect after you pass away). Trusts have the added benefit of shielding your assets from creditors, government aid eligibility programs like Medicaid, unexpected events like divorce, and more. There are various types of trusts, such as revocable trusts, irrevocable trusts, special needs trusts, charitable trusts, and more. Our experienced Webster wills & trusts lawyer can work with you to determine what type of trust works best for your situation. 

Who Needs A Will Or Trust?

Everyone needs a will and a trust; you should strongly consider having both as part of your estate plan, no matter how big or small your estate is. A will alone still has to go through probate if you pass away without a trust. Probate is a time-consuming and expensive Texas court process that can cost your family unnecessary money and stress and deplete the inheritance you had planned to leave behind for them. Without at least a will, you will lose any say in what happens to your property. You may even be unable to choose a guardian for your minor children and give any instructions for how they are to be raised. Although having a will can certainly help save your family stress and anxiety, establishing a trust can make the process of transferring assets seamless and worry-free. 

None of us are guaranteed tomorrow. If you make a will and establish a trust right now,  your estate can avoid probate entirely!

Why Do You Need A Webster Wills & Trusts Lawyer’s Help?

Wills and trusts are complex legal documents. The last thing that you will want to do is download a form online and try to fill in the blanks, and then make mistakes that render the will completely useless in a court of law. A preprogrammed form knows nothing about your personal circumstances, and it also is likely not compliant with the most recent Georgia estate laws. 

Trust and estate law is an area that lawyers must work in for years to understand the nuances and complexities of. A wills and trusts attorney knows about all of the available options and can help you navigate the estate planning process. Their knowledge can save you more money than you could by trying to DIY it! 

Why Choose The Law Office of Michelle E. Murphy To Make Your Will & Trust?

Creating a will and trust is a sensitive, sometimes emotional, and highly consequential step. The lawyer you choose to entrust your family’s future to matters! Webster wills and trusts lawyer Michelle E. Murphy has over two decades of experience in this area of law. She understands how personal these documents can be and takes an equally personal approach to working with each and every client. She offers free initial consultations to potential clients so that they can meet her, get their questions answered, and learn more about where to begin. Call and schedule your free consultation today.