We Can Help You Plan Your Future
The gift of estate planning is one that will be appreciated for decades to come. Although no one likes to think about a day when they will no longer be around, you and your loved ones deserve the peace of mind that comes with a carefully planned future.
At Amsberry Law Firm, we offer expert estate planning for all families. Our Kerrville estate planning attorney can provide you with invaluable advice and assistance regarding your estate planning needs.
Things to consider when planning your future:
- How will your minor children be cared for if you are gone?
- Who will receive your assets?
- Who would make decisions regarding your healthcare if you were incapacitated?
Amsberry Law Firm serves the San Antonio area (Bexar County), including the surrounding counties. Our clients can count on us to help them prepare for the future. Following your wishes, we will develop and draft your estate plan. Understanding that every individual or family situation is unique, we go the extra mile for you, taking the time to consider what you want.
With our estate planning package, we assure you that your wishes are upheld and as much of your estate as you like is preserved for your beneficiaries.
We will help you prepare for tomorrow today. Take steps to ensure that your wishes are both known and protected. For an initial consultation and more information, contact Amsberry Law Firm, Kerrville estate planning attorney, at (210) 354-2244.
Kerrville Estate Lawyer – Why Choose Us?
A Will Is Just One Part of Estate Planning
Estate planning ensures that your wishes are carried out when you can no longer advocate for yourself. Although a will plays a vital role in determining many things, it does not cover all aspects of your life. Our Kerrville estate planning attorney can help with the process of securing all your wishes, whether the focus is on guardianship of your children, healthcare decisions, or wealth preservation.
We are committed to exceeding our clients’ expectations. Our team understands that your legal situation is very important to you. Therefore, we will listen to your concerns, honestly explain your choices, and strive to minimize financial and emotional costs for you.
Amsberry Law Firm was founded in 1995 by attorney Russell J.G. Amsberry to provide clients with excellent and focused legal assistance. Besides his many professional honors as a legal advocate, he also received an excellent rating from Avvo.
You can read our past client testimonials and learn more about our success stories.
Frequently Asked Estate Planning Questions
A Kerrville Estate Lawyer Provides Answers
Quite frankly, death is always an unpleasant subject. No one wants to think about what will happen when that happens. So, our Kerr County estate lawyers make the process as simple as possible. This effort includes collecting some frequently asked questions and answering them in one place.
Without a will, what happens to my estate?
Decedents who pass away without valid wills die intestate (without a will). Therefore, the laws of intestacy determine not only the distribution of assets, but also the custody and conservatorship of minor children. These are not decisions most people want state bureaucrats and politicians to make.
Furthermore, almost everyone has significant assets and many heirs. The potential for conflict is high. So, no matter how “rich” or “poor” you are, you need a valid will.
Incidentally, when you work with our Kerrville estate planning lawyers, we ensure that wills and other probate documents are legally valid. Texas rules in this area, especially regarding witnesses, are quite complex and unique. A do-it-yourself will from the internet might or might not be valid in the Lone Star State, even if you follow all instructions to a T.
When should I update my will?
Family or financial changes, and often a combination of both, usually require estate document updates, including will updates. If the terms of the will don’t exactly apply to the family’s status at the time of the testator’s (person who makes a will) demise, the result could be a protracted and expensive probate court fight that no one really wants.
When testators update their documents, we usually recommend that they physically destroy all prior documents. That way, there’s usually no question as to which one is current and valid.
Do I need an estate planning lawyer to create an estate plan?
A will is perhaps the most important component of a Texas estate plan. However, it’s only one part of a comprehensive plan. Only an attorney is qualified to give you legal advice in this area.
In addition to wills, most people create trusts. Multiple trusts are available in Texas, and once again, only an attorney can properly explain the pros and cons of each one. Usually, the settlor (person who makes a trust) and trustee (person who manages the trust) are one and the same. Therefore, the settlor retains practical control over the corpus (assets in the trust), at least in most cases.
Estate plans also often include a living will (directive to physicians concerning end-of-life matters) and a power of attorney.
Is it possible to change my will?
Absolutely. The financial and familial circumstances that exist at the time of a will’s signing are almost never permanent. Your estate documents should change to reflect these changes, so your heirs don’t end up in court.
In as little as one office visit, our attorneys can draft a will codicil (amendment). However, we usually don’t recommend that approach. The fewer documents a testator must keep up with, the better. So, we usually recommend that testators draft new wills that replace the old ones.
Where should I keep my estate planning records?
The original paper will should remain in a safe deposit box or other secure storage location. A court will require the original will for probate purposes. Will copies, which must be clearly marked as copies, should stay with testators and their administrators, mostly for reference purposes.
I have just moved from out of state to Kerrville, Texas; do I need a new will?
Different states have different laws. For example, some estate documents, such as trusts, are only valid in certain states. Therefore, it’s best for a Kerrville estate planning lawyer to at least review your existing documents and make appropriate recommendations.
If you have any further questions or prefer to speak to an estate planning attorney, contact Amsberry Law Firm at (210) 354-2244.
Our Clients Have Peace of Mind with an Amsberry Law Firm, Kerrville estate planning lawyer
Assuring that our clients receive personalized guidance and legally sound documents.
Whether you’re a first-time client or are looking to update your existing legal documents, we can help with any estate plan. Our experienced Kerrville estate lawyer will guide and counsel throughout the process so that it’s as easy as possible on you (and those who may need access) going forward.
We know what matters most; ensuring that appropriate plans are in place for any situation is always our top priority.
Tomorrow is never promised, and the situations that comprise your life can be uncertain. We know this may make it difficult to think now about what you want in the future for yourself or those you love. However, taking time to plan removes some of these pressures by making decisions more manageable than they would be if we waited until things got too urgent.
Contact Our Kerrville Estate Planning Attorney Today
Estate planning is an appropriate decision for everyone. Contact Amsberry Law today at (210) 354-2244 to plan for the future. For over 25 years, we have been providing thoughtful, personal services in the San Antonio area (Bexar County) and surrounding counties with our expertise in Texas law.
You can depend on us to help you plan for the future while protecting and caring for those you love.
Attorney Russell J.G. Amsberry
Attorney Russell J.G. Amsberry founded the Amsberry Law Firm in 1995 with the goal of providing clients with exceptional, focused representation on their issues. His success as a legal advocate has been reflected in the numerous professional honors he has received, such as speaking engagements and inclusion in Scene in SA magazine’s listing of the best lawyers in San Antonio, a Distinguished rating from Martindale-Hubble, and an amazing rating from Avvo. [ Attorney Bio ]
