For over 20 years through our Wills and Probate practice, it has been our pleasure at Hinzman & Flory to assist the citizens of Denton County and the North Texas area in planning for and completing the transfer of their property to loved ones, as well as to provide peace of mind for our clients should a period of incapacitation limit their ability make important life decisions.
A will is a legal document that describes how and to whom a person desires his or her property to be distributed upon death. Probate is the legal process whereby a will is “proved” in a court and accepted as a valid public document that is the true last testament of the deceased.
At Hinzman & Flory we offer the following services:
Family Will Package
An affordable package for couples that includes wills, medical powers of attorney (empower a trusted loved one to make future medical decisions for you if you are unable to due to incapacitation), statutory powers of attorney (empower a designated person to conduct certain transactions including real property, personal property, banking, financial, insurance and tax transactions on your behalf), as well as a testamentary trust and designation of guardians if needed (controls the manner and time frame for the distribution of the couple’s estate to their children upon the untimely death of both parents). In addition to preparing these documents and overseeing the signing ceremony, we also will meet with you to go over your estate situation and advise you on how to setup your individual assets to reduce probate expense and headaches for your loved ones in the future.
Probate as a Muniment of Title
If you are a beneficiary listed in a will for an estate that left no debts owed, you may be able to probate the will as a muniment of title (a document other evidence that indicates ownership of an asset). This is a faster, simpler, and usually cheaper option than standard probate procedures, and a useful tool to allow you to receive legal title to real estate or other property through a will. However, you will not receive letters testamentary (document issued by a court showing that the person named in it has the authority to act on behalf of the estate) and it may not be recognized in other states. Call us today for an initial consultation so we can discuss whether this options or others will work best for your particular circumstances.
Probate of Wills and Administration of Estates Without a Will
If you do not qualify for probate as a muniment of title, or if you are dealing with an estate without a will, we also handle the process of probate with a will or the administration of an estate without a will.
Small Estate Options, including Small Estate Affidavits
In some situations, other options exist that are even simpler than those discussed above, such as the filing of a Small Estate Affidavit, which may eliminate the requirement of appearing in court. We can advise you if these options fit your situation during an initial consultation.