San Antonio Estate Planning

San Antonio Estate Planning Attorneys

Regardless of the size of the estate, or whether or not they have drafted a plan themselves, decisions must be made about what to do with what remains. Many people choose to hire an Estate Planning attorney to draft a plan for what happens with your assets after death (or other incapacitating conditions). The laws of Texas will make those decisions for you if you have not created a personal, memorialized plan. In light of this, it is important to consider the following–does your estate plan accomplish your individual goals?

Regardless of whether an estate plan consists of a simple will or a complex combination of estate documents, it deals with some of the most important issues in your life—your family and your health. Our San Antonio estate planning attorneys carefully attend to each and every need presented with each client’s finances, life, and family. Together, we devise a plan that is tailored to meet your wishes. Don’t let the fate of your estate be decided by default, contact us today to learn more about how you can protect your family’s future.

Estate Planning Goals

Many people don’t think it is necessary to have an estate plan. Alternatively, some live under the assumption that their assets are not great enough to warrant a plan. In many cases, people simply trust their family to do what is best when the time comes. However, a basic estate plan can accomplish important goals, including:

• Respecting your final wishes. Regardless of the size your estate, you’ve worked hard for what you will leave behind. You have the right to decide what will happen to your real estate, money, and other assets.
• Clarity. Having an effective estate plan reduces questions about the following: who is to be in charge of your estate during incapacity and after death; who should receive particular assets; and who is authorized to make health-care decisions on your behalf.
• Preserving valuable time and resources. Estates left without any direction fall to the courts. In many cases, estates are tied up in legal red tape while an executor is named and then as they take action. This process can be costly and lengthy. There are certain estate planning techniques can reduce or eliminate excessive cost and delays.
• Maintaining family relationships. When the time comes to for your family to make decisions about your finances, health care, and distribution of assets, emotions tend to run high. It can be difficult to make these decisions, and it is not uncommon for family members to have a hard time deciding what is best. When given specific instruction from you, your family can avoid confusion and uncertainty.

If you are uncertain about whether or not you need an estate plan or how to even begin to think about the future, don’t hesitate to contact us to help get you started. Our experienced San Antonio lawyers can help you examine your unique needs and circumstances. Together we can create a plan that will protect you and your loved ones.

What does Estate Planning consist of?

Don’t be fooled into believing that having an estate planning is only for the wealthy. Nearly everyone with assets or children can benefit from having an estate plan.

Estate planning typically determines what happens to your property and who is to care for your minor children. In the case that you become incapacitated, it can also dictate what happens to you, your property, and your minor children.

Below is a list of some of the estate planning services we provide:

• wills and related documents
• post- and pre-nuptial agreements
• medical plans
• trusts
• powers of attorney
• charitable giving
• guardianships
• gift tax planning

If you are in San Antonio and have estate planning questions, we want to hear from you. We are San Antonio estate planning attorneys. We have several decades of combined experience helping clients navigate the estate planning process.