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San Antonio Estate Planning, Asset Protection and Probate Administration Lawyer
Assisting Clients With Compassion and Skill
There are certain events that make people take stock of their financial lives. Maybe you just had your first child, have acquired assets that you want to protect or are simply getting older. Deciding how to protect those assets while you are living, and to dispose of them after you are gone, is an important choice. You can be proactive and relieve your loved ones the burden of decision making should you become incapacitated or pass away.
At the offices of Reed Greene, Attorney at Law, in San Antonio, Texas, I can create an estate plan to specify your wishes regarding your medical care and the distribution of your assets. I can also provide you sound guidance about the probate process and ensure that the deceased's wishes are carried out faithfully and correctly. Contact me to discuss your probate and estate planning needs.
Estate Planning and Asset Protection: Taking Steps Today to Protect Your Future
Taking the time now to create will, trust, power of attorney or health care directive for you can prevent problems and disputes down the road. When you come to me, I will take the time to understand your particular situation and assess your needs. Together we will craft an estate plan that best fits your objectives, using strategies such as:
- Wills: A will states your wishes regarding the disposition of your property and handling of your debts after you are gone.
- Powers of attorney: These instruments allow you to designate another person, according to terms you specify, the power to make financial and/or medical decisions on your behalf. It also allows you to specifically rule out certain persons from making these decisions for you.
- Trusts: A living trust can shield your assets and allow you to receive trust income while you are living. A testamentary trust lets you set aside property for the health, education and maintenance of a child.
- Asset protection: The technique of trust preparation can also provide you a measure of protection from your creditors.
- Health care directive / directive to physician, family or surrogate: Designates an agent of your choosing to inform the doctor what life-saving or life-prolonging measures you would like to be taken, or not taken, on your behalf if you become incapacitated.
After the Death of a Loved One: Probate and Estate Administration
Probate is the process of settling claims of an estate and distributing assets after the death of a loved one. If you are the designated personal representative or executor named in a will, I will guide you through the probate process to ensure that you carry out your duties fully and properly:
- Certain documents need to be filed with the court, and the will needs to be proved in court.
- Outstanding debts, including funeral and final medical expenses of the deceased need to be paid.
- Assets and property must be distributed as directed by the will.
- Bank accounts must be accessed.
- Any will contests or creditor's claims that may arise must be addressed.
Where the dearly departed has left behind a disorganized estate, you may face additional challenges. Read the Wall Street Journal article "The Last Rites: Cleaning Up the Estate of a Dearly Departed Disorganized One" which addresses some of the specific issues raised in this situation.
Where there is no will, I will assist in the process of identifying heirs according to the Texas state laws on intestacy and in proving heirship in court.
Make sure a lifetime of work is protected. Make sure your wishes regarding your assets and medical care are carried out the way you intended. Contact me for a free initial consultation about your estate planning and probate concerns.
Reed Greene, M.P.A., J.D.
Attorney at Law
26254 IH 10 West, Suite 135
Boerne, Texas 78006
Telephone: 210-826-1233 | Fax: 210-826-4784
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