Wills
Thomas-Walters provides guidance and expertise for every single circumstance in estate planning. Whether you have an idea of what you need or seek counsel on what is best, we can handle it all for you.
Services
We offer a full scope of services to protect your family’s future
Estate Planning
Estate planning is a concept and service that encompasses several areas. We can help you protect assets, provide for loved ones, and also plan for medical and charitable directives.
Wills
Wills are widely known as a basic and essential part of estate planning. It’s worth knowing the benefits and limitations of these important legal documents, and if a “will based” estate plan is right for you.
Trusts
Trusts are often misunderstood, and maintain an important role in estate plans for individuals of many income levels. Learn if a “trust based” plan is the right approach for your situation, directives, and goals.
Preserve Your Legacy
Making Sure Your Final Wishes Are Realized
A last will and testament is probably the most common form of estate planning. A last will and testament is typically a type-written document singed in-front of a Notary Public stating your wishes regarding disbursement of assets. Wills allow you to:
Designate who receives your assets
Designate who will oversee your estate (Executor)
Provide for certain life scenarios like a child preceding you in death
Ensure the court has record of your last wishes
A last will and testament serves to establish basic guidelines for asset distribution. To execute a last will and testament, your Executor must complete the probate process. In North Texas, the average probate case takes about nine months to complete and costs about $10,000 in court, attorney, accounting, and appraisal fees. Furthermore, an attorney MUST represent the Executor before the court.
There are at least eight steps in a typical probate proceeding:
Filing an application for probate in the county where the decedent lived
Posting notice of probate at the courthouse
Validating the will before a judge
Completing an inventory of all assets
Identifying beneficiaries
Notifying creditors
Resolving disputes
Distributing the assets
Additionally, completion of the probate process is often impeded by familial disagreement. Each time someone involved in the probate proceeding raises a dispute, the probate process stops and a hearing before a judge takes place to resolve the issue. Establishing a trust may help prevent such disputes.
We are here to help you with all of your estate planning needs.
