Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions > Wills (10 entries)

Do I need a will?

Generally speaking, most people benefit from having a will. Having a valid will in place at your death can help make the administration and distribution of your estate easier for those ...
What exactly is a will?

A will is a document which controls the passage of your property upon your death. In Texas, there are two basic types of wills -- (1) the attested or formal ...
If I write my wishes down on a piece of paper and sign it, will that qualify as a will?

Maybe. As stated above, it is possible that a will written wholly in the testator’s handwriting and signed by the testator can be valid and admitted to probate in Texas. ...
I do not have many assets, so I think a will is unnecessary for me. Am I right?

Not necessarily. You do not know what your financial condition will be at your death or what property you will own at your death. Also, your family situation may ...
I set up all of my assets so that they pass by beneficiary designation, or are payable on death to certain persons so I can avoid the hassle and expense of doing a will. Is this a good plan?

Maybe, but probably not. A plan like this may work in some situations, but in most cases it fails to cover many contingencies which may occur, with disastrous results. ...
I have been diagnosed with a terminal illness, should I make a will now?

If you know that you have a terminal condition and you are concerned about the disposition of your property or the care of loved ones after your death, you may want ...
I just married for the second time. I have children from a prior marriage. I would like to make sure that a portion of my assets go to my children. Would having a will help me in this situation?

Yes. If you are concerned about making sure that some of your property goes to your children in this situation, you can take certain steps in a will to help ...
How do I go about doing a will?

There are many estate planning products on the market today that represent to consumers that legal documents such as a will may be prepared on a home computer without the help ...
How much does a will cost?

This question is difficult to answer because the complexity (or lack thereof) of each individual’s situation will determine the amount of time that is necessary to prepare the will. Many ...
I heard that a living trust is better than a will. Is this true?

A living trust can be used as an alternative to a will. In most cases, these trusts are more expensive and complicated that wills. Texas has relatively simple and ...