Estate Planning & Probate Lawyer Trusted Board-Certified Family Law Specialist

Porter Estate Planning and Probate Lawyer

Throughout our lives, most people are tasked with handling a myriad of things. You take care of your home, take care of your children, take care of your bills, and take care of your body by eating healthy and exercising. Similarly, you should take care of your future, particularly if you have loved ones counting on you every day. Estate planning is important to ensure your loved ones are secure when you pass on.

The best way to begin this journey is by creating an estate plan with the help of a seasoned Porter estate planning and probate lawyer from Bolton Law. While it may feel like a daunting process, drafting an ideal estate plan can make a world of a difference for you and your loved ones going forward.

Seek the peace of mind you deserve with our experienced team in Porter, Texas by calling (936) 297-4668 today!

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Board Certified in Family Law Together, We Find the Way Forward

Side by side, we help families navigate divorce and take the next step toward a brighter future.

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Every case handled with dedication, understanding, and clarity

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honored for excellence

“Ruby Bolton goes above and beyond to provide each client with very personal services.”
She helped me at two extremely difficult times in my life- the death of my husband and then my mother- to sort through probating their wills. I highly recommend her to anyone.

- Patti H.
“We wanted to make a point with a good law firm, and Bolton Law did just that.”
Ruby Bolton and the Bolton law firm really showed up for the case my wife had against her ex-husband. From her first visit at consultation to picking up the final draft, she felt like she was in good hands. At the end of all this, my wife was able to get some relief and was able to put her ex in check. We got the passport docs, got it to make it mandatory to take the kids to all their sporting events on his weekend, and his child support was reinstated.

- David V.
“I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a knowledgeable and caring legal team.”
I had an amazing experience working with Ben Sander and Kassandra Ramirez during my divorce process. They made everything clear and smooth from start to finish, always taking the time to explain each step and answer any questions I had. Both were extremely responsive and professional, and I always felt supported and informed throughout the entire process. I truly appreciate all their help.

- Gabriella P.
“Communication was always smooth and professional.”
I had a wonderful experience working with Sara Saeed. She provided a very thorough and detailed consultation, making sure all of my questions were answered. Having worked with other attorneys in The Woodlands area before, I truly appreciate Sara’s knowledge, expertise, and the care she brings.

- Polina S.
“There are not enough words that can express how amazing the team is at Bolton Law Firm.”
Paige Pritchard made the process seamless and stress free. Her support on my case put me at ease during the entire filing process. I cannot thank her and David Greer enough for their attention to detail and personal attention they have my case.

- Dianie S.
“The Bolton Law firm was amazing and supportive throughout my case.”
Rob was very good to answer all my questions and worked hard to keep my case moving even when opposing counsel was slow to respond. While my case was expensive, it was not outside of what I expected to pay. Thank you for the great work.

- Jen M.
“Shaunte did so much more than other attorneys in such little time.”
I still have another day of trial, but I have already seen Shaunte fight and stand her ground. I wish I would have found her sooner, she has so many strengths and she is the attorney you want on your case even when things seem hopeless, she finds a way to fight. She is not intimidated at all, she is very respectful and caring and in court she knows how to keep fighting for what is right !!! Thank you so much Shaunte. I will forever be grateful for your help.

- Lali M.
“The legal team at Bolton Law was very professional and supportive from intake through finalization.”
Kassandra, my paralegal, kept me updated regularly and was such a great support through the whole process. Attorney Henry and Bolton handled everything with grace and were able to achieve a better outcome than I expected. 100/10 recommend Bolton Law for anything family law related!

- Sarah

What Are the Services Provided by a Probate/Estate Planning Lawyer?

A probate or estate planning lawyer is tasked with an array of tasks including:

Creating a Will and Identifying the Beneficiaries

While you will come across numerous Will templates online, chances are you won’t find one that matches your needs. It is unlikely for people’s assets, lives, and families to fit into a standard template. There’s also the option of making a handwritten (holographic) Will, but there are specific rules to get it right, which, for the average person, often results in litigation.
If you die without a Will, your estate will be divided according to Texas intestate law, and this may not be in keeping with what you would want.
The best course of action is to meet with a reputable estate planning lawyer. This way, you’ll ensure all your Will requirements are put into writing and reduce the chances of going to court. In addition, these lawyers are excellent resources to utilize when distributing your assets to beneficiaries. They will listen to your needs and provide solid advice.
Helping Avoid the Long and Expensive Probate Process

Going through probate can be a costly and time-consuming process (with most proceedings taking up to 2 years. It is also extremely public, allowing anyone to obtain copies of the Will and any associated legal documents.
Fortunately, probate is not always necessary even if you do not have a trust. If all your assets have been designated to your beneficiaries, then probate can be avoided. In addition, if your estate consists of less than $150K of total property and less than $50K of real property, a Small Estate Affidavit can be implemented to transfer the assets to beneficiaries. However, some entities may refuse to accept the Affidavit, forcing the heirs to either engage in litigation or open probate.
Using a probate lawyer can help avoid the probate process entirely, by making sure all your assets are designated properly. If the heirs go into probate, the lawyer can help them navigate the complex legal system.
Assistance With Financial Obligations to Avoid Estate Taxes

What steps should you take to avoid a higher tax rate for your assets? How do you transfer your assets without incurring hefty taxes? Full comprehension of the economic instruments is vital when it comes to estate planning.
The laws and regulations that govern these instruments are always changing and so, this is an aspect that calls for vigilant attention to legislative updates and financial news. A seasoned probate lawyer comes in handy for this.
Planning Living Trusts

There’s an array of documents that go into effect following your death, while others can be used for smart asset management while you’re still alive. An ideal living trust addresses your wishes while you’re still around to see them come to fruition.
Making a plan to move your assets into trusts can help bequeath those funds to your heirs while you’re still alive to witness it. A good estate planning lawyer will help you come up with a schedule that matches your requirements and put provisions into place.
Protecting Your Assets From Creditors

Creditors have numerous tactics to make claims on an estate. A seasoned estate planning lawyer will help build the legal protections to keep the creditors at bay. They will put safeguards in place to protect your assets from the vultures after your death.
Protecting Your Heirs From Lawsuits

A probate attorney will serve as a representative to your loved ones when they get involved in a lawsuit claim. They will also help prevent the potential of lawsuits among the family members. In addition, the legal heirs can challenge the validity of the deceased will through a probate lawyer.
Creating Health Care Directives and Power of Attorney
If a medical condition or emergency leaves you unable to communicate easily and effectively, a healthcare directive will help clarify your preference regarding medical care. Instead of leaving your loved ones to make guesses, it’s wise to make your intentions clear today by working with a reputable Porter estate planning lawyer.
A power of attorney gives someone else the ability to make decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated.
Other notable ways where a Porter estate planning and probate lawyer may come in handy include:
- Collecting life-insurance payments
- Identifying all estate assets
- Determining and paying inheritance tax
- Opening and Managing an estate checking account
- Making final distributions following the payment of taxes and bills
- Satisfying claims
- Getting property appraised
- Distributing assets to the designated heirs

Our Porter Estate Planning and Probate Lawyers Can Do a Lot for You!

Many aspects of estate planning tend to be hard to understand or achieve. That is why Bolton Law takes a client-first approach when creating a plan that matches your needs. We do not just want to make a checklist of the things we think would be good for you.

We will collaborate with you to make sure everything you require from an estate plan is put in place with the assistance of our Porter estate planning and probate lawyers.

Call us today at (936) 297-4668 or fill out our contact form and learn more about how we can help you protect your future!

When Do I Need a Probate Attorney?

Not all cases call for a probate lawyer. However, legal representation is essential in more complex cases, or where the appointed estate’s executor is not comfortable handling the process alone. The executor is usually tasked with the following:

Notifying the beneficiaries listed in the Will or determined by the court
Completing court paperwork
Distributing assets to legal heirs and changing the legal ownership
Paying the debts and taxes of the deceased
Paying the funeral expenses
Documenting everything involved in the estate closing

If you are uncomfortable or uncertain with the above-mentioned steps, you should consider a probate lawyer. A probate lawyer is also worth retaining if:

The Will instructions are incomprehensible.
The deceased has significant assets and no will.
There’s a dispute over the assets’ distribution.
You do not understand Texas’ succession laws.
The deceased owned complicated assets like ownership of a business, royalties, and mineral rights.
The estate has more debts than assets.

Meeting With an Estate Planning Lawyer

Time to plan for the initial meeting. This involves making a list of assets and liabilities and collecting the necessary documents.

In addition to collecting the necessary documents, ensure you take the time to think about what you wish to achieve. Are you looking to protect your children and other possible beneficiaries? Do you expect dissension in your family over the decisions you’re about to make? Are there possible events down the line that call for contingency planning or an occasional review of your plans?

A reputable estate planning lawyer will not only help you draft a current plan but also help you update it on a regular basis. One of the biggest mistakes people make is to create a plan and fail to review it as situations and circumstances surrounding their lives change. Ensure you revise your will with the lawyer after every few years, or following a major life event like a birth, marriage, divorce, or death.

What Is Probate Law?

Probate is the legal process that entails the determination of a will’s validity and authenticity. Is also the process of administering a dead individual’s estate. This involves organizing their assets, possessions, and money as well as distributing them as inheritance after clearing any debts and taxes.

If the deceased left a Will, the chosen person will take on the role of administering the estate (Executor). If there is no Will, the court will assign an administrator to handle the probate process.

What Is Estate Planning?

Estate planning is the process of determining how a person’s assets and possessions will be managed, preserved, and distributed after they die. It also addresses the management of a person’s financial responsibilities and properties in case they become incapacitated. Assets that make up a person’s estate include properties, cars, artwork, pensions, life insurance, and debt.

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