Creating an estate plan is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your loved ones and ensure your wishes are honored. While estate planning may include a range of legal tools, it often starts with one foundational document: a will. This document plays a central role in managing how your property and responsibilities are handled after your passing.
At the Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard, we guide individuals and families through every stage of the estate planning process. We ensure your documents are legally sound, easy to understand, and tailored to your goals.
Schedule a consultation with one of our skilled estate planning attorneys today to create an estate plan that aligns with your vision for the future.
The Importance of a Will
A last will and testament outlines how your assets should be distributed after your death. It also lets you appoint guardians for minor children and name an executor to manage your estate through probate.
Without a will, Texas intestate succession laws determine who inherits your property—often with unintended results. You risk leaving important decisions to the state, potentially excluding close friends or including estranged relatives.
Your will carries out the following key functions:
Asset distribution: Direct who receives your home, savings, investments, and personal property.
Guardianship designations: Appoint trusted individuals to care for minor children.
Executor appointment: Choose someone to manage your estate and carry out your wishes.
Final arrangements: Express preferences for funeral, burial, or memorial services.
Even individuals with modest estates benefit from a will. It helps streamline probate and can prevent costly family disputes.
What Makes a Will Legally Valid in Texas
To be legally enforceable, a Texas will must meet the following requirements:
Be in writing (typed or handwritten)
Be signed by the testator (the person making the will)
Be witnessed by two credible, disinterested individuals
Clearly indicate it is intended as a final will and testament
Working with a qualified estate planning attorney ensures your will is clear, legally valid, and aligned with your goals.
Coordinating Wills and Beneficiary Designations
An effective estate plan ensures your will and beneficiary designations on accounts such as life insurance or retirement plans work together. Misalignment can cause conflicts or leave some assets unaccounted for.
For example:
Beneficiary designations override instructions in your will.
Property not covered by beneficiary designations will pass under your will.
Our attorneys help you review all your estate planning documents for consistency and legal protection. Schedule a FREE consultation today to review your estate plans.
When to Update Your Will
Life changes, and so should your estate plan. We recommend reviewing your documents every 3 to 5 years or after major life events such as these:
Marriage or divorce
Birth or adoption of children or grandchildren
Death or incapacity of a named executor or guardian
Significant financial changes
Relocation to another state
Tax or legal updates
An outdated estate plan can lead to confusion, missed opportunities, or unintended consequences.
Begin Your Estate Plan Today
Starting your estate plan with a will is a smart way to protect your legacy and ease the burden on your loved ones. This legal tool lets you define your wishes and ensure they are carried out.
Attorney Brett H. Pritchard and his team are here to help you create a plan that reflects your values and safeguards your future. Whether you are drafting your first will or revisiting an existing estate plan, we provide knowledgeable, compassionate guidance every step of the way.
Contact the Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard by calling us at (254) 781-4222 or schedule a FREE consultation online to get started on your estate plan today.