Areas of Practice
Watson & Maynez's concentration on estate planning and probate compliment one another. Proper estate planning consists of a thorough and well thought out plan for substitute decision making and transfer of assets. Proper estate planning provides loved ones with peace of mind and is financially wise. Estate planning allows the individual to pre-determine various matters that are otherwise determined by Texas state law. Estate plans should be tailored to the individual or couple yet will generally include most, if not all of the following documents: a will, trust, directive to healthcare physician, power of attorney, medical power of attorney ("living will"), anotomical gifts form, and burial instructions, as well as recommendations for any necessary change to certain P.O.D. financial account designations. For comprehensive information on estate planning, please visit our Estate Planning Resource Center.
Probate is commonly understood to refer to the legal process by which a decedent's estate is administered and whereby title transfers to intended beneficiaries of a will or heirs at law when no will exists. Texas probate law provides for validation of a will, determination of heirship, and oversight of estate administration. Watson & Maynez are knowledgeable on all probate procedures and various Probate Shortcuts available under Texas law. Watson & Maynez, P.C. is experienced in guiding representatives through the probate process and usually does so for a flat fee and at reasonable cost. Occasionally however, problems arise with administration of an estate and claims arise as to the validity of a will or the appropriateness of a personal representative for the estate's actions. In such instances, you need a tough smart lawyer. The attorneys and counselors at law of Watson & Maynez, P.C. will fight hard to advocate for their clients during such litigation and are willing to take all necessary measures available under Texas law to succeed. For comprehensive information on probate, please visit the Probate Resource Center.
Useful links
Affidavit of heirship
Ancillary probate procedures
Appointment of guardian
Challenge validity of will
Community administration
Declare heirship
Dependent administration
Directives to healthcare physicians
Dying without a will
Estate taxation
Independent administration
Joint tenancy with survivorship
Life insurance trusts
Living trust
Marital by-pass trust
Marital deduction trust
Medical power of attorney
Miller trust
Muniment of title
Non-probate transfers
Power of attorney
Pre-probate considerations
Preparing for incapacity
Small estate affidavit
Spendthrift trust
Trust resource center
Wills explained