Preparing for your future requires creating a legally binding plan that addresses asset distribution and personal affairs management according to your wishes. The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard offers comprehensive estate planning services tailored to your unique circumstances:

• Wills: We draft legally sound testamentary documents that specify how you want your property distributed, name guardians for minor children, and designate executors to administer your estate.
• Powers of Attorney: We prepare durable financial powers of attorney authorizing trusted individuals to manage your property and business affairs if you become incapacitated.
• Medical Directives: We draft advance healthcare directives and medical powers of attorney, ensuring that your treatment preferences are honored when you are unable to communicate them yourself.

Failing to plan leaves these critical decisions to state law, potentially creating unnecessary hardship for your family. Our firm helps you implement strategies that address your specific goals and circumstances.

Guiding You Through the Probate Process

Our Bosque County estate and probate lawyers assist executors and personal representatives with the complex process of settling estates in accordance with Texas law. We manage every step of estate administration, from filing initial probate applications to distributing assets to beneficiaries. Our hands-on approach helps executors meet their fiduciary obligations while avoiding costly errors that could create personal liability:

• Filing applications for probate with the appropriate county court.
• Publishing required notices to creditors and interested parties.
• Inventorying and appraising estate assets.
• Paying valid debts and tax obligations.
• Resolving family disputes.
• Distributing the remaining property to beneficiaries.
• Preparing and filing final accountings with the court.

Texas Estates Code § 256.052 establishes specific requirements for inventory submissions that executors must satisfy within ninety days of appointment. Our Bosque County estate and probate attorneys at the Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard ensure timely compliance with all statutory obligations while protecting the estate from improper claims and maximizing distributions to rightful heirs.

Assisting the Executor

Serving as executor carries significant legal responsibilities and potential personal liability for errors or breaches of fiduciary duty. We provide executors with:

• Comprehensive support.
• Interpretation of will provisions.
• Guidance on asset valuation.
• Advice regarding creditor claims.
• Representation in court proceedings. 

Our experience helps personal representatives avoid common pitfalls while efficiently managing estate administration tasks.

Managing Complex Estates

Estates with significant assets, business interests, or complex family dynamics demand advanced legal strategies to resolve effectively. Our Bosque County estate and probate attorney team handles challenging situations:

• Business valuations and succession planning.
• Real estate holdings across multiple jurisdictions.
• Disputed will interpretations.
• Claims of undue influence or lack of capacity.
• Creditor negotiations and debt settlements. 

Texas Estates Code § 355.054 establishes procedures for contested probate matters that require skilled litigation when disputes arise among beneficiaries or creditors. Our aggressive approach protects estate assets while pursuing resolutions that honor the decedent's intentions and serve the best interests of the beneficiaries.

Dealing With Intestacy

When individuals die without a valid will, Texas intestacy statutes govern the distribution of their property to their surviving relatives. We guide families through intestate succession proceedings, helping them understand their inheritance rights and ensuring the proper distribution of assets in accordance with statutory priorities.