8703 Broadway
San Antonio, TX 78217
210.892.4555
Call Us For A Consultation
Connect with Us
Search
RESOURCES

Estate Planning

MAKES THINGS EASIER FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY

Do You Have Your
Affairs in Order?

Oftentimes, people think that estate planning is only for the wealthy, but this simply isn’t true. Everyone needs to plan ahead.

We can sit down with you and discuss your circumstances to determine exactly what documents you need. You may just need a simple Will. On the other hand, you may have a more complicated situation, where you are planning for a beneficiary who is on Medicaid or SSI, and a trust may be more suitable for your family.

Why do I need a Will—won’t everything go to my spouse when I die anyway? Don’t count on it! If you die without a Will, Texas has a cookie cutter formula that distributes your assets upon your death. Going through probate without a Will can be confusing, expensive, and emotional. The Law Offices of Carol Bertsch, PC can help you put a Will or a Trust in place to ensure your assets transfer to the people of your choosing upon your death.

Not only is Death is part of life, but unfortunately, so is sickness and incapacity. Many of us will get sick and lose the ability to make decisions for ourselves before we die. We can help you put a good estate plan together that includes powers of attorney for medical and financial decisions. This will make things easier for you and your family because doctors and banks will know who to talk to when a crisis arises.

Our Estate Planning Packages May
Include the Following Documents:

Will

A Will specifies how your assets and liabilities will be distributed at the time of death. It names an Independent Executor and alternates to serve without bond and with minimal court supervision. Probate is the legal process of proving the will in court, settling the estate and distributing the assets.

Trust

Trusts provide for the management and distribution of assets during your lifetime and after your death. Not everyone needs a Trust. However, Trusts can be beneficial for people with property in other states or for people who are planning ahead for loved ones with special needs or other challenges. Trusts may also appeal to those who want to avoid probate.

Statutory Durable Power of Attorney

A Statutory Durable Power of Attorney gives an individual authority to manage your financial affairs. The powers granted in this document are effective immediately upon signing and will still be effective even after you become disabled. The authority granted by a power of attorney ends upon death.

Designation of Guardian
in the Event of Later Need

This document allows you to designate in advance who you would want for a guardian if you ever needed one. It also allows you to disqualify certain people from ever becoming your guardian.

Medical Power of Attorney

A Medical Power of Attorney designates someone to make health care decisions for you if you are unable to make them yourself. This document does not become effective until you are incapacitated.

Directive to Physicians

This document is sometimes called a Living Will. It allows you to decide in advance if you wish to have artificial measures used to sustain life when you are near death.

Menu