Choosing a guardian

The surviving spouse of the deceased parent will be the legal guardian of any children but for the situations in which both parents pass away, a guardian needs to be chosen. You must give careful consideration while choosing the guardian, who could be any family member or longtime friend. Before choosing, you need to be sure that the person is willing to take responsibility.

Creating a will

This is where you’ll need support, as creating a will is a legal task and is important to legally declare the guardian for the children after your death. Wills and estates can be a complicated matter but you can choose a specialized Parker County Lawyer to create wills. After you contact the lawyer, a meeting will be scheduled that will include you, the guardian, and the attorney and collectively everyone will go over the details of the will. From here on, your lawyer will be dealing with all aspects regarding guardianship so that you don’t have to worry about it.

Deciding and creating a will for the guardianship of your children is a serious but important task to ensure the safety of your kids, even in your absence. Therefore, you can’t take any of the processes lightly. Make sure you choose your lawyer wisely, who will get all of the work done for you.

Update estate plans with an Aledo Estate lawyer, serving Parker County and surrounding areas.

Mark Harden is a local practicing estate lawyer in Parker County.

Planning for the future is a part of life and an experienced Estate Lawyer can help guide you through the process. You established an estate plan years ago, filed it away in a safety deposit box, and haven’t thought much about it since. There’s a sense of security that came with just knowing it was done. A lot of people believe that once an estate plan has been established, they’re in the clear. However, it’s important to realize that is not always the case.

You took the time to put together an estate plan because you care what happens to everything you’ve collected and worked for. Life is full of change and you might be in a completely different spot now than you were when the estate plans were established. This type of change is inevitable and needs to be accounted for as years go by.

Below you will find a list of reasons why it’s important to keep your estate plans up-to-date:

1. Person(s) included in your will are deceased.
The grieving process can be very emotional but it’s important to update your will with your estate plans lawyer if someone named has passed away.

2. Birth of a child.
Who will become your children’s legal guardian if something happens to you? What assets do you want to leave them? Any time a new child is born, your plans need to be updated.

3. Your children are no longer minors.
If your children are over the age of 18, you no longer need to worry about naming a legal guardian to care for them.

4. You’ve been through a divorce.
Maybe it hasn’t even occurred to you that your once-established estate plans are reflective of a marriage that is no longer valid.

5. You got remarried or are in a new committed relationship.
Do you want your new spouse or life partner included in your will? Are you included in theirs? Ask your lawyer about your estate plan matters.

6. New people should be named (or unnamed).
As stated above, the birth (or adoption) of a new child is an essential reason to update your will. This also applies to anyone else you may decide to include or exclude.

7. New state laws.
Keep an eye out for changes in the law that could affect your estate plans with your lawyer.

8. Moved to a different state or country.
Legal requirements vary from state to state or country to country. Be diligent about the rules/regulations of your current residence. How could your plans be affected by the variations in these laws?

9. Purchased or sold real estate.
Your estate plans should be reviewed with your estate plans lawyer and account for all currently-owned property.

10. Change in financial status.
Whether you came into an inheritance, made a good investment, or upped your earning potential, keep your money safe by updating your plans immediately.

11. Change in health.
If you or a family member becomes ill, make sure funds are allocated for proper medical care. 12. Significant time has passed

Regardless of life changes, it is recommended that your estate plans be reviewed and updated every three to five years.

We can work with you as your lawyer on estate plans in Aledo, Hudson Oaks, Walsh Ranch, Weatherford, Willow Park, and all of Parker County and surrounding counties. Our office is located on the historic square in downtown Weatherford.

Ten years later she wanted to sell the house she and her husband had purchased together. She had a buyer for the house, but the title company asked her if her husband had any children. She told them that they never had any children together, but he had a child a long time ago while in his twenties. She was shocked when the title company told her that child is the heir to her husband’s one-half community share of the house, and, therefore, would have to be a part of closing the sale.

It had been more than four years since her husband passed away, so without a good excuse, it was too late to probate the Will, not to mention the wife had no idea where the Will or any copy was at that time.

A Will that is not probated has no effect.

Should I have a will? Why do I need a will? These are common questions. The reality is if you have property, a spouse or kids, having an estate plan means your desires for your family and the distribution of your assets can be accomplished after you pass away.

ESTATE PLANNING IN YOUR 20S

When you’re young, it’s hard to imagine that you need a will. Hiring a lawyer to help craft one may be the last thing on your mind. However, it is important for everyone to have an estate plan. Getting married, having kids, and buying a house are the goals of many young people. If you find yourself in any of these situations, it is important to start an estate plan to protect your family and your assets. We are proud to offer expertise in estate planning in Parker County and surrounding counties. 

ESTATE PLANNING IN MIDDLE AGE

If you haven’t created an estate plan yet, now is the time. I see many clients who are creating their first will because they want to make sure their children are cared for should they pass away. Having a guardianship plan in place is one of the most important aspects for people with minor children. If your kids are older, it is equally important to determine how your assets will be divided after you’re gone. Perhaps your children are not quite ready to handle what you would leave them, so you may need to incorporate trusts into your will.

ESTATE PLANNING LATER IN LIFE

Estate plans are often on the minds of those later in life. Whether you already have a will and need an attorney to help make sure everything is covered or are creating your very first will, I can help. Don’t leave the division of your assets up to the state of Texas, ensure proper estate planning in Parker County with Mark Harden. Take control of your assets by having a plan in place.

I CAN HELP WITH YOUR ESTATE PLAN

If you have questions about your estate plan, I can help. At The Law Office of Mark E. Harden, I work with clients throughout Parker County and Texas at my Weatherford office. Call me today at 817-613-8295 or fill out this online form to learn more and set up an appointment.

After hearing the words “estate plan,” some people may think of a will or a trust. These are important legal documents, but there is so much more to consider when thinking about estate planning.

When considering how complex estate planning can be, it is understandable that some elements may be overlooked. While the following components are often forgotten, their importance should not be minimized. We can help you with your Weatherford estate plans right away.

Incapacity planning

We like to think that we’re invulnerable, but we’re all susceptible to facing a serious injury that could leave us incapacitated. Having a living will gives you the power to specify which types of end-of-life medical care you want to receive. Naming a power of attorney allows you to choose someone to make medical and financial decisions on your behalf if you’re unable to do so on your own.

Choosing the best executor

The executor is the person responsible for settling your estate after your death. This is an important role, and it is something that should be carefully considered when naming someone. Some families simply choose their oldest child to serve as the executor of their estate. The oldest child may be the best person for this role, but that isn’t always the case. Rather than defaulting to someone, look for someone with a good temperament and is willing to carry out the responsibilities of the role.

Digital asset planning

As technology advances, our lives are becoming increasingly digitized. While people often remember to include their non-digital assets in their estate plan, many people are forgetting to plan for their digital assets, too. When developing your Weatherford estate plans remember digital currencies and files that are stored on your computer, including photos and music, should be included in your estate plan. Having a list of passwords that will allow people to access your accounts after your death is also a good idea.

Regularly reviewing beneficiary designations

When you opened a retirement account or purchased a life insurance policy, you were likely prompted to name a beneficiary. These beneficiary designations specify who is entitled to receive the money in your account or the death benefits on an insurance policy if you die. The beneficiary designation will trump what is written in your will, so it is critical that the designation is up to date.

Estate planning is about so much more than simply deciding where your belongings go after you die. A complete estate plan should protect your finances, your family and your independence. Ensuring these four elements are part of your estate plan in Weatherford/Parker County can help you accomplish those goals.