Coats and Todd, P.C. - Family Law Attorney Plano, TX | Dallas Fort Worth Texas Divorce Lawyer

Wills, Probate & Guardianship

Solid Counsel for Peace of Mind

Estate Administration and Estate Planning Lawyers

It can be uncomfortable to plan for your own death, settle a family member's estate or take measures to protect your elderly parents from harm. The lawyers at Coats and Todd, P.C. know the law and pay attention to detail to make it all go as smoothly as possible.

Our established law firm provides counsel and representation in probate, guardianship and estate planning. Our knowledgeable attorneys serve individuals and couples in Dallas, Fort Worth, Richardson, Garland, Plano and the DFW Metroplex. Call us at 1-800-856-1031 to learn how we can help.

Estate Administration

Probate in Texas is relatively simple and inexpensive. But the tasks of settling an estate is time-consuming and legal issues do arise. Our probate attorneys can advise executors in their duties or take a broader role. Counsel for out-of-state family members appointed to close the estate in Texas is available.

For smaller estates, there are alternatives to the full-blown probate process: muniment of title or affidavit of heirship for transfer of real estate, and the small estate affidavit to settle the remainder as efficiently as possible. In most cases, you will go to court just once.

For larger estates, we can help open the probate process, marshal assets, transfer property, pay creditors and taxes, make distributions to heirs and file an accounting.

Guardianship

There are two common scenarios where it is prudent or necessary to establish guardianship:

  • Your mentally incapacitated child is turning 18 but not ready for independence
  • Your parents are in physical and/or mental decline and not able to control their finances or health care

Coats and Todd, P.C. can step in quickly in urgent or crisis situations to ask the court to appoint you as guardian of your elderly parents if they are a danger to themselves or vulnerable to financial exploitation. Establishing guardianship of your adult disabled child enables you to make decisions about their medical care and finances, which is no longer your automatic right after age 18.

Estate Planning

We offer a basic estate planning package for a reasonable fee. This is not sugar coating on statutory form, but individualized documents that give you peace of mind that you have covered all the bases:

  • A will to declare who inherits your property
  • Powers of attorney over your finances and health care if you are incapacitated
  • An advance directive (living will) regarding life support and end-of-life care
  • Declaration of guardians for your minor children if you and your spouse both die

A properly drafted will speeds probate and helps avoid disputes among survivors. Without a will, unintended persons would inherit your estate under Texas law. Estate planning also guides your family members when you are not able to make decisions for yourself, sparing them from difficult decisions and divisive arguments.

Coats and Todd, P.C., we take the time to listen to your concerns and anticipate legal issues. Contact us today to discuss probate, guardianship or estate plans. We have Spanish speakers on staff and we accept most major credit cards.


Coats and Todd, PC
300 North Coit Road, Suite 1350
Richardson, TX 75080
Phone: 972-591-2375
Toll Free: 1-800-856-1031
Fax: 800-314-2252
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Coats and Todd, P.C. in Richardson, Texas, handles family law, estate planning, probate and guardianship in the DFW Metroplex, including Fort Worth, Dallas, Plano, McKinney, Frisco, Arlington, Denton, Mesquite, Garland, Allen, Carrollton, Irving, Decatur, Lewisville and all communities of Dallas County, Collin County, Tarrant County, Wise County and Denton County.