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Dallas Wills Lawyer

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Wills attorney with 13 years of experience drafting estate planning documents for Dallas families.

If you’ve been meaning to put a will in place but haven’t taken the time to do so yet, then we recommend speaking with our team for guidance. Our Dallas, TX wills lawyer can help you establish your will, whether it is for the first time or as an update. At Ellen Williamson Law, PC, we’ve been handling wills and estate planning matters for Dallas-area families since 2013. Our practice is built around making this process straightforward, and supportive. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

Wills Lawyer Dallas, TX

An attorney helps you put your intentions in writing so that Texas law doesn’t decide for you. A will is a legal document that identifies who receives your property when you pass on, names a guardian for your minor children if needed, and designates an executor to carry out your wishes. Without a will, Texas intestacy laws control distribution of your estate. Those rules follow a fixed formula. The court doesn’t know your family’s dynamics, relationships, or what you would have wanted. A properly drafted will gives you control over what happens, and gives your family a clear path forward when you’re gone.

From The Blog: Wills vs. Trusts: Which One Is Right for Your Estate Plan?

Types of Wills and Estate Planning Services We Handle in Dallas

Ellen Williamson Law, PC handles a focused range of estate planning and will-related matters for individuals and families throughout the Dallas area. Every case is different, but these are the core services we provide:

  • Last will and testament. The foundational document in any estate plan. We draft wills for single individuals, married couples, blended families, parents of minor children, and business owners. The specifics change depending on what you own and who’s involved.

Related Services We Offer

  • Living will. A separate document that records your wishes for medical treatment if you become incapacitated. It doesn’t govern property distribution, it governs decisions about your care. Many people confuse it with a last will and testament, but they serve very different purposes.
  • Revocable living trust. Not everyone needs a trust, but when they are beneficial, they can help assets pass to beneficiaries without going through probate. We help clients understand whether a trust fits their situation, and draft them when appropriate.
  • Power of attorney. A power of attorney designates someone to manage your financial or legal affairs if you’re unable to.
  • Guardianship designation. For parents with minor children, a will is where you name the person you want to raise your kids if something happens to you.
  • Probate assistance. When someone dies, their will typically needs to go through probate before assets can be distributed. We handle Dallas County probate matters, including both independent and dependent administrations. If a loved one has passed and left a will, or didn’t, we can help you navigate what comes next.

Why Choose Ellen Williamson Law, PC for Wills in Dallas, TX?

Experience Drafting Wills in Dallas

Ellen Williamson founded this firm in 2013 after spending years inside the SBA’s disaster loan processing center, where she learned to explain complex legal and financial processes to people in difficult situations. That experience shows up in how we work with clients today. She earned her J.D. from SMU Dedman School of Law in 2004 and has been practicing Texas law ever since.

Attorney Ellen is a member of the inaugural class of the Dallas Probate American Inn of Court, a member of the Probate Council for the Dallas Bar Association’s Probate, Trusts & Estates Section, and a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation. She has been recognized by Super Lawyers beginning in 2024. Our estate planning lawyer in Dallas, TX focuses exclusively on estate planning, probate, and guardianship.

Flat-Fee Pricing Structure

Most attorneys don’t offer flat fees on estate planning services, but our structure is built this way so you know the cost before we begin. That pricing model is possible due to our more than 13 years of experience helping individuals and families. For more information, contact us today to reserve your appointment.

Understanding Will and Estate Planning Cases in Dallas, TX

Key Documents and What They Do

A will is the most well-known estate planning document, but it can be used alongside other documents. Most complete plans include several documents that work together, including the following:

  • Last will and testament. Directs distribution of probate assets and names an executor and, if applicable, a guardian for minor children.
  • Financial power of attorney. Designates an agent to manage your finances and property during your lifetime if you’re incapacitated.
  • Medical power of attorney. Authorizes someone to make healthcare decisions on your behalf.
  • Directive to physicians (living will). Records your preferences for end-of-life medical treatment.
  • HIPAA authorization: Allows designated individuals to access medical records
  • Trusts. To manage or protect specific assets or beneficiaries

Important Aspects of a Will

During your consultation, we can let you know what some of the most important aspects are for your situation. But generally, there are a few considerations that come up:

  • Who inherits what assets. Texas community property rules affect what you can leave and to whom, particularly for married couples.
  • Beneficiary designations on accounts. Assets held in accounts with a named beneficiary, like life insurance, retirement accounts, and some bank accounts, process outside the will entirely. Your will cannot override those designations.
  • Minor children. If you have children under 18, who you name as guardian and how you structure any inheritance for them requires careful thought. Devising a trust is often part of that conversation.
  • Blended families. When spouses have children from prior relationships, a will that seems simple may create conflicts without the right provisions.

Wills Case Timeline

The process from first consultation to signed documents is typically straightforward when clients come prepared, but don’t worry about having everything you need at the first appointment. Here is how the process of writing a will usually goes:

  • Initial consultation. We review your assets, family situation, and goals.
  • Document preparation. We draft your documents based on that conversation, with a turnaround time that varies by complexity.
  • Review and revision. You review the drafts, ask questions, and we make any necessary changes.
  • Execution. Signing requires specific formalities under Texas law, including witnesses and notarization. We guide you through exactly what’s required.
  • Finalization. Signed originals are returned to you, then we discuss where and how to store them and what to share with your family members.

What to Bring to Your Wills Consultation

Bring as much information as you can gather for your consultation. You don’t need to have all of these ready, but it helps if you have the following:

  • A general inventory of what you own, including real property, bank accounts, retirement accounts, life insurance, vehicles, and any business interests.
  • Names and contact information for people you’d like to name as executor, guardian (if applicable), and beneficiary.
  • Any existing estate planning documents you have, even outdated ones.
  • Questions about specific situations, such as blended family dynamics, an estranged relative, a beneficiary with special needs.

Texas law governs how wills must be drafted, signed, and ultimately administered. The following resources are useful for anyone looking to understand the legal framework around estate planning and probate in this state:

Reach Out to Ellen Williamson Law, PC to Schedule a Consultation

We offer flat-fee billing on most will and estate planning matters, customized to each of our client’s needs. During your consultation, we’ll go over your situation, explain what documents are most useful, and the benefits of devising a will. Having a will can ensure that what you have built thus far is protected and will be handled based on your wishes. To get started, contact us at Ellen Williamson Law, PC to schedule an appointment.