Give the Gift of Peace of Mind This Year by Making a Will

In the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it's easy to get caught up in the buying and giving of material gifts. Of course, there's nothing wrong with giving gifts to those you care about, or to show your appreciation for another person's help or service during the year. But the most heart-felt gift you can give is peace by thinking about what will happen to the people you care about when you're gone and making plans to distribute your estate for their ongoing care and support.

Intestate succession in Texas

In Texas, if you pass away without a will, your worldly possessions will be divided among your creditors and surviving family members, if any. The laws of intestacy provide a specific formula for distributing your estate depending on your family structure. The law does not vary based on the quality of your relationship with each heir and may result in a distribution that is not the way your want your estate divided.

In addition, if you don't have a will, the way your estate gets divided depends first on whether all of your children are also the children of your surviving spouse. If you had a blended family or remarried after your kids were born, your surviving spouse will get half of your property and your children will divide the other half. Your step-children will inherit nothing if you die without a will, even if you would have wanted them to receive an inheritance.

It's easy to make a will

Make sure your estate will go to people or charitable organizations your want to have it. We guide clients like you through the steps of constructing a comprehensive estate plan to make sure your wishes are carried out when you're gone. Contact an experienced Bryan, Texas estate planning attorney at the Peterson Law Group. To schedule a consultation, call us today at 979-703-7014.