Estate Planning Attorney in Temple Helping You Take Control of Your Destiny and Financial Legacy with a Trusted Estate Plan

There are many things in life we can’t control, and death is one of them. The only thing we can do when it comes to the unexpected is to plan and prepare for these moments to the best of our ability.

It’s disheartening to think that so many hardworking Americans don’t have a simple will to protect years of blood, sweat, and tears, though we’re aiming to change all that at Barina Law Group.

We help our clients properly plan for death and take a proactive approach with estate planning services. Estate planning is the legal process in which an individual or family arranges the transfer of assets in preparation for death.

An estate plan is a proactive and all-inclusive approach that aims to preserve a person’s wealth for their loved ones or beneficiaries using a collection of legal tools. Estate planning is often a task that people put off until it’s too late.

Right now is a good time to protect your family’s future. Call Barina Law Group to learn more about your estate planning options. Schedule an initial consultation and speak with one of our experienced attorneys: (254) 323-5506.

What Makes Up My Estate?

Property, wealth, and personal belongings—or your overall net worth when you die—make up an estate. These assets are what you want to protect with an estate plan.

When you plan your estate with Barina Law Group, we will help you take stock of your assets and assign essential roles, such as executors and trustees, among other important decisions.

The assets that make up an estate include:

• Land
• Property or real estate
• Personal belongings
• Businesses
• Bank accounts
• Stock options
• Intellectual property
• Cash
• Retirement savings
• Artwork
• Jewelry
• Vehicles
• Electronics
• Personal or business debts

From asset planning to estate plan creation, count on Barina Law Group to help you and your family prepare and plan for death your way. If you’re considering an estate plan, our attorneys can walk you through the steps and help you understand different asset protection options. Contact our law firm and schedule an initial consultation: at (254) 323-5506.

Will My Estate Still Go through Probate?

Depending on your asset mix, your estate could be subject to probate. For example, all wills must first go through the probate process for an executor to distribute the assets.

A will is better than no will, and the probate process will be slightly quicker than the alternative. However, the probate process can take anywhere from six months to a year without conflict or family disputes. The process can take up to two years with contentious situations or complex estates.

Small estates in Texas also can avoid the probate process if there are less than $75,000 worth of assets. Another way to avoid the probate process is with a living or another type of trust, such as a testamentary or irrevocable one.

Trusts are private, third-party fiduciary arrangements that allow a designated person—a trustee—rights to manage and preserve funds for the trust’s grantor or owner. If this person becomes ill or disabled or dies, a trustee will follow the instructions of the grantor to distribute the assets as intended.

When you plan with Barina Law Group, we can review the benefits of a trust and how it can help your family avoid probate, minimize taxes and offer the flexibility you need to carry on your legacy. Prepare for the unexpected and avoid probate when you schedule an initial consultation with our attorneys: (254) 323-5506.

Can I Include Any Medical Decisions in an Estate Plan?

Healthcare decisions should be part of your estate plan if you have a specific preference regarding end-of-life care due to an accident or death when the time comes. For instance, you might have strong feelings about hospice care, or if you fall into a coma, it’s your choice to stay on life support or request that a doctor stop the care.

A medical or healthcare power of attorney is a type of advance healthcare directive that names a specific person in charge of making decisions for you when you can’t. There are three different means of communicating your medical decisions: a living will, medical power of attorney, or health care proxy.

Advance care directives are essential in estate planning, and we help you execute them if they are significant to your end-of-life wishes. This will ensure your physician follows your orders, despite how difficult it is, rather than the personal opinions of a spouse or other family members.

Plan for your healthcare choices to ensure you have the last word in dictating your end-of-life treatment. Our experienced attorneys can help.

When is the Best Time to Hire an Attorney for Estate Planning?

People decide to plan for death at different times and stages of their life. Certain life events sometimes drive urgency around estate planning and get people thinking about and planning for death more than others. This could include a death in the family, a health scare, or before vacation.

Whether you are single, newly married, or a senior, we have all of your estate planning needs covered and will help you:

• Prepare a last will and testament that will hold up in court
• Help you set up a living trust or another type of trust to protect your assets and avoid probate
• Take inventory of your assets and help transfer them to a trust
• Appoint guardians for any minor children, if applicable
• Make any plans for charitable donations
• Consider alternative plans for alternative executors, trustees, or beneficiaries
• Prepare for tough conversations with family members, including who is included or excluded
• Consider the power of attorney and advanced healthcare directives for end-of-life healthcare decisions and medical treatment.

We walk you through estate planning and lift the burden of creating and filing the necessary paperwork to legalize your estate plan. In addition, we offer annual services to ensure your estate plan is current and reflects any life changes such as divorce, death, and more.

Lastly, we are there for our clients when it’s time to execute the will to ensure it reflects your wishes. Our representation is available for any family disputes or issues that arise if probate becomes a reality or there are any unexpected obstacles to executing your estate plan.