1700 Commerce Street
Suite 615
Dallas, Texas 75201

Dallas: 972-331-4257
Ft. Worth: 817-488-1050

Armstrong & Willis handles wills, decedent's, estate and trusts matters, including probating wills. Texas recognizes written, oral and wholly hand-written wills. A written will is preferred, so finding the right attorney is key. Don't buy a do-it-yourself kit. Kits don't include guardianship, durable power of attorney, medical power of attorney and other essential documents, which protect you from incapacitation.

Texas is one of few states that recognize independent estate administrations. The court will allow an individual to be designated an independent estate administrator to administer the estate of the deceased. This person does not have to go to the court for approval of every transaction. The court does not prefer dependent administrations, where they must approve all acts by the administrator.

Trusts can protect individuals during live and their heirs after death. A trust is a complex document that needs to be properly executed. A trustee can be a family member or a bank. A trust should not be created for very small estates.

Guardianships can protect incapacitated adults with a court appointing an individual to care for all of the ward's affairs. A guardian is almost exactly like a managing conservator in child custody matters. A guardian with little financial management experience can allow the court to create a management trust with a bank controlling all money decisions. In this case, the guardian is only the guardian of the person and not the estate.

1700 Commerce Street, Suite 615  •  Dallas, Texas 75201       Phone 972.331.4257  •  Fax 972.331.7309