Personalized Wills And Trusts For You And Your Family
Planning for your future should also include making legal preparations for your death. By creating a carefully crafted will, living trust or both, you can manage your assets the right way and help provide financial security for your beloved heirs upon your passing.
Depending on your estate’s size and your family’s specific needs, the Tarrant County law firm, Traci Hutton, Attorney At Law, can help create tailor-made estate planning tools that can reflect your own goals and asset distribution directives for the future.
Whether you need dependable guidance with:
- Drafting or updating your will
- Creating your advance directives
- Naming guardians for your minor children
- Removing your will’s previous executor
- Adding new beneficiaries to your will
- Adding new assets to your revocable living trust
- Establishing an irrevocable living trust for your family
The firm’s dedicated wills and trusts attorney, Traci Hutton, can converse with you, assess your concerns and help you make informed decisions about how you can manage your estate effectively.
Wills Vs. Living Trusts: Key Benefits And Differences
While wills and living trusts are both important estate planning tools, they serve different purposes. For example, when you have a will, the probate court will authenticate its validity and call your appointed executor to manage your estate’s inheritance distribution process.
On the other hand, when you have a living trust, your appointed trustee can manage your assets’ distribution process in a more private manner, and your loved ones can receive their inheritance without probate.
Depending on your personal goals, you may be able to manage your estate with just a will, a living trust or both. With attorney Hutton’s guidance on this matter, she can help you weigh your options, provide clarity to your concerns and encourage you to make the right decisions.
Trusted Estate Planning Lawyer In North Texas
The attorney at Traci Hutton, Attorney At Law, understands how unique each person’s story is. This is why attorney Hutton ensures that her clients in Tarrant County and its surrounding areas can receive genuine care and attention for all their legal concerns.
Here is where her 25 years’ worth of experience comes into play:
- As a businessperson herself, attorney Hutton’s personal background can provide you with a cost-efficient plan for your business’s future transfer of ownership.
- As a mother of three, attorney Hutton knows just how important it is to establish a trust for your children’s and grandchildren’s future.
- As a legal practitioner in estate planning, real estate, business law and family law, attorney Hutton’s comprehensive knowledge allows for deeper, holistic solutions.
More than anything else, attorney Hutton offers a one-on-one service that can help transform legal discussions into more personal and honest conversations.
Clear Answers For Your Peace Of Mind
Planning your estate brings up many questions that deserve thoughtful answers. Below, you will find straightforward responses to the questions our North Texas clients ask most frequently. If you have additional queries not covered here, we welcome you to contact our office for personalized guidance tailored to your specific needs.
What should I include in my will?
While every person’s situation is unique, a well-drafted will typically address several key areas to ensure your wishes are followed. Here are the essential items you should consider including in your will:
- A designated executor to carry out your instructions
- Guardians for your minor children
- How do you want to distribute your assets
- Special gifts for particular people or organizations
- Instructions for paying any debts or taxes
- Alternate beneficiaries in case your first choices cannot receive their inheritance
Your will should reflect your current life situation and relationships. What matters most is that your will accurately represents your wishes and covers all the important aspects of your life.
What is needed to validate my will?
A valid will ensures your wishes are carried out and reduces the chance of someone challenging it after you pass away. For your will to be legally valid in Texas, it must meet the following requirements:
- It must be in writing, handwritten or typed.
- You must be of “sound mind,” which means you understand what a will is and what property you own.
- You must be at least 18 years old upon signing or have been married or a member of the military if younger.
- Two witnesses must watch you sign and sign the document themselves.
Making sure your will follows these rules is an important step in protecting your loved ones.
Can I change my will?
Yes, you can and should change your will as your life changes, provided you are of sound mind. The two main methods are drafting a new will or executing a codicil to make small amendments. Many update their wills after major life events, such as marriage, divorce, having children or buying property.
Can a will be challenged?
An interested person, like a family member, can contest a will if they believe it is not valid or does not provide enough support for family members who depended on the deceased. People usually contest when they think the person did not understand what they were signing, someone pressured them to write it a certain way or the will was not signed properly with witnesses present.
Do I need an attorney to create a will?
While you can legally write a will on your own, an attorney helps ensure your will meets all state requirements and truly protects your loved ones. DIY wills often contain mistakes that can lead to problems for your family later or may not address important issues specific to your situation. An attorney can ask questions about your life and assets you might not think about on your own.
Get In Touch With A Wills And Trusts Law Firm Today
No matter which aspect of estate planning you need help with, attorney Hutton is ready to speak with you. To schedule a free initial consultation with her, contact their Grapevine law office at 817-778-4543 or send them an email through their contact form.