Services
It’s critical to have a plan that matches your unique goals and concerns
Having a plan for the future is the most important gift you can give yourself and your family. Granted, none of us will ever know for sure what is around every corner in life. And just thinking about the what-ifs — what if I were to die or become incapacitated tomorrow; what if my child with special needs has no one to care for her; what if all my “stuff” isn’t passed onto the right people — can be overwhelming. But having a plan that accounts for your family’s unique circumstances, puts your affairs in order, has concrete solutions to your concerns, lays out your wishes and goals, and protects your family’s future provides peace of mind for the road ahead.
Caitlyn Ashley Law in Denton, Texas, will counsel you on which documents are best suited for your needs and ensure they are flexible enough to meet your changing needs for years to come.
Estate Planning
Estate planning is the legal act of putting your affairs in order to ensure your wishes are carried out, family is protected, and wealth, wisdom, and assets are passed on as efficiently as possible after you die or become incapacitated. You could create your own estate planning documents, but having an estate planning attorney in Denton, Texas, who can help you look at the big picture and guarantee that your plan always works in your favor is critically important. Just a few of the documents we offer include:
• Wills
• Trusts
• Power of Attorney (medical, financial, durable, etc.)
• Declarations of guardianship
• Burial directives
• Advanced healthcare directives
• Medical authorizations
• Special needs trusts
• Deeds for real property
Probate
Probate is the legal process that comes after a person has passed away. It involves administering an estate and legally transferring a deceased person’s assets and property to their family members or beneficiaries. Unfortunately, probate can be a confusing, complicated, drawn-out, and emotional process for everyone involved depending on whether or not that loved one had a valid will in place.
The biggest misconception is that you don’t have to go through probate if you have a will. This is not always true. Probate also:
• Validates an existing will
• Resolves any creditor claims
• Assigns an executor or administrator
• Creates an estate administration
Caitlyn Ashley Law has an unwavering commitment to working with our wonderful clients to navigate the often complicated probate process and give practical, compassionate advice.
Guardianship
Guardianship is one aspect of estate planning that most people want to avoid at all costs. After all, you are essentially taking away someone’s rights. But there are some very good and necessary reasons why pursuing guardianship may be the best option for your family. For example, you could have a child with special needs who cannot make decisions regarding their health, safety, and finances. Believe it or not, you can lose your parental rights once your child is legally considered an adult. Another example is a parent who was permanently disabled in a car accident or is suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and can no longer care for themselves. Establishing legal guardianship allows a trusted family member to step in and assume responsibility for caring for that person.
If you’re thinking about guardianship but don’t know which direction to turn, please call us. It is better to seek help from a qualified attorney before you need guardianship than after the fact. We have worked on countless cases involving guardianship and pride ourselves on making sure our clients are as educated as possible.