Top El Paso, TX Estate Planning Lawyers Near You

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Estate Planning For the Future

Estate planning uses legal documents to make decisions about what will happen to your property and assets after death. Planning for the future can also involve designating certain representatives who can make financial decisions if you are incapacitated or unable to communicate. Without an estate plan, any real estate, bank accounts, and personal property will be distributed according to state law, even if it would have been against your wishes.

What Are Estate Planning Tools?

There are many estate planning tools that can offer different benefits for how to plan for the future while allowing you to use your assets in the present. Some common estate planning documents include:

• Will
• Living trust or revocable trust
• Irrevocable trust
• Special needs trust
• Living will or advance healthcare directive
• Power of attorney

Wills and Trusts

A will is the most common estate planning too. A will is simple to make and can be updated or changed. After you pass away, the court will go through the process of estate administration with your will in probate court, to pay off any liabilities and distribute your assets to your beneficiaries. Trusts can allow you to avoid probate court altogether by naming trustees to distribute your estate assets to your beneficiaries. Some trusts can also provide asset protection and offer proper estate planning benefits for your loved ones.

Living Wills and Healthcare Directives

A living will can allow you to make healthcare decisions while you are still alive if you are no longer able to communicate your wishes. Also known as an advance healthcare directive, if you become seriously ill or incapacitated, your living will can make specific provisions about your own medical treatment, including what type of procedures you do not want to receive. You can also use a durable power of attorney to designate a health care proxy to make long-term care healthcare decisions on your behalf. A Texas elder law attorney or estate attorney can give you more information about living wills.

How Much Does Estate Planning Cost in El Paso?

The cost of estate planning can depend on your individual circumstances. Some estate planning attorneys in El Paso will prepare documents like a will or power of attorney for a flat fee. Other legal services may be offered based on the attorney’s hourly fees. The costs of legal services can depend on the type of estate plan, amount of assets, and an attorney’s years of experience. In some cases, the lawyer can provide a free consultation to help you decide which estate planning law firm is right for you.

Do I Need an Estate Planning Lawyer?

Texas estate planning law and individual legal issues are unique. Getting help from an estate planning law firm can help, especially if you own substantial assets and want to plan for your family’s future. An estate lawyer can give you legal advice and guide you toward the best options to minimize your estate taxes, provide the most for your future beneficiaries, and give you peace of mind.

When Should I Start Estate Planning?

Many people put off making an estate plan because they don’t think they need to. It is never too early to make plans for what might happen if you become incapacitated or pass away. If you get married, have a child, or begin to accumulate significant assets, it is time to think about making plans to provide for your loved ones. An El Paso estate planning law office can provide an initial consultation to help you make a decision for your estate planning needs.

What sort of issues can I seek legal help with?

Specialized legal help is available for most legal issues. Each case is unique; seeking legal help is a smart first step toward understanding your legal situation and seeking the best path toward resolution for your case. An experienced lawyer understands the local laws surrounding your case and what your best legal options might be. More importantly, there are certain situations and circumstances – such as being charged with a crime – where you should always seek experienced legal help.

Tips on Approaching an Initial Attorney Consultation

• Use the consultation as a means of gaining a better understanding of your legal situation.
• Ask the attorney how many cases similar to yours he/she has handled. An attorney’s experience and knowledge can speak to their expertise (or lack of) in addressing your situation.
• Your attorney should be able to articulate roughly how long a case like yours will take to resolve and what sort of procedures to expect.
• Determine how comfortable you are working with the lawyer and/or law firm.

Tips on Hiring an Experienced Lawyer with Estate Planning Cases

The more experienced a lawyer is in legal practice, the more likely he/she will be able to bring about a successful resolution to your issue. Since experience matters, lawyers who’ve been practicing law for many years (with a successful track record) tend to be in high demand. You should look for information about a lawyer’s experience and ask questions during the initial meeting. It’s a very good idea to ask the lawyer how many years he/she has been practicing law and the expected outcome of your case.

Common legal terms explained

Personal jurisdiction – Requirement that a particular court have authority over a person, in order to bind that person to the judgment of the court, based on minimum contacts. International Shoe Co v. Washington is a landmark Supreme Court case outlining the scope of a state court’s reach in personal jurisdiction.