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Today, there are many ways you can go about getting a Will. To ensure your Will accomplishes your wishes while also avoiding the greatest expense and complications, you should consult with an experienced estate planning attorney. This is always the best way to draw up a Will. Online and DIY options often come with unexpected risks. You should draw up your Will as soon as possible and revise it whenever you experience certain life events, such as marriage, having a new child, opening a new bank account, or purchasing new property.

While not everyone needs a Will, it's wise to explore whether it would be a smart investment for you and your family's future. A few benefits of drawing up a Will include choosing how your estate will be distributed, selecting a guardian for minor children, and providing for step-children or other beneficiaries. An attorney will explore with you whether the assets you own can be passed down without a Will or whether having a Will is really key to simple passage of title to assets on your death.

People frequently delay having a will drawn up because of concern for the cost. The cost of preparing an estate plan package is very reasonable. A standard "Mom and Pop" Will without other detailed provisions generally ranges from about $500 to $750 per person. Compared to the expense you would be out to handle your estate without a Will or other estate planning documents, it is a bargain.

A Will is a key part of an estate plan to make provisions for who receives the property you own on your death, who will be in charge of distributing the property, and who you would like to serve as guardian and trustee if you have minor beneficiaries. Without a Will, the cost of applying Texas Law of Intestacy will be much higher for your family, and your estate may be distributed in ways that don't align with your wishes.

The time to seriously review all of a loved one's financial and estate planning affairs is in the early stages of Dementia or Alzheimer's. Progression of the degree of incapacity varies from person to person. A visit to a physician for a diagnosis and treatment plan should be your first priority. A visit to an attorney should be next.

When heirs disagree about the terms of a Will, they may choose to contest it. This is an expensive and stressful process. Fortunately, a family settlement agreement allows you to avoid the contested probate process if all beneficiaries agree with how the estate should be distributed. The process is quicker, simpler, and more affordable than contesting a Will.

The thought of having to do a probate for a deceased loved one is often scary. Although the legal process can appear complicated, an experienced probate attorney can comfortably guide you through the process. There are 6 steps you will need to follow, including filing the Will, attending a hearing, sending a notice to creditors, and distributing your loved one's Assets according to the terms of the Will.

In this series of blogs, I am outlining various different types of probates or probate alternatives to settle an estate and their likely costs. As I mentioned in the introduction to this series, the cost is predominantly determined by the type of procedure followed.

In this series of blogs, I am outlining various types of probates or probate alternatives to settle an estate and their likely costs. As I mentioned in the introduction to this series, the cost is predominantly determined by the type of procedure followed.

In some situations where a loved one passes away without a Will, you may need a determination of heirship in order to pass on their estate. If you find yourself in this situation, make sure you have an experienced attorney to guide you through the steps involved. Otherwise, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the process.