AV Preeminent Peer Rated Attorneys
Athens Residents, consider several factors when selecting a lawyer including their experience, expertise, and reputation. AV Rated Attorneys represent a distinguished group of lawyers who have received top ratings from their peers for their exceptional ethical standards and an A grade (4.5 or higher).
AV Preeminent Peer Rated Attorneys
Athens Residents, consider several factors when selecting a lawyer ... Learn More
AV Preeminent Peer Rated Attorneys
Athens Residents, consider several factors when selecting a lawyer including their experience, expertise, and reputation. AV Rated Attorneys represent a distinguished group of lawyers who have received top ratings from their peers for their exceptional ethical standards and an A grade (4.5 or higher).

Law Office of Samuel M. Smith, P.C.

  • 219 N. Palestine St., Athens, TX 75751

Wickel & Schmidt

  • 112 E. Corsicana, Athens, TX 75751

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Patricia J. Donovan

  • 100 E. Corsicana St., Ste. 209, Athens, TX 75751

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Aubrey L. Jones, Jr.

  • Athens, TX 75751-0168

Kugle Skelton & Bennett, PC

  • 130 E. Corsicana St., Ste. 302, Athens, TX 75751-2576

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Michael G. George

  • Athens, TX 75751-7425

Guillotte Law Office

  • 100 E. Corsicana, Ste. 211, Athens, TX 75751

Law Office of John L. Youngblood

  • 130 East Corsicana Street, Suite 300, Athens, TX 75751

Bateman & Bateman, LLP

  • 214 E. College St., Athens, TX 75751-2527

Stark Groom Lowe, L.L.P

  • 110 E. Corsicana St., Athens, TX 75751

Lawyers At This Firm
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Looking for Estate Planning Lawyers in Athens?

Estate planning attorneys help individuals prepare for the management and distribution of their assets after death or incapacitation. They create legal documents such as wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. Their work ensures a client’s wishes are honored, minimizes potential taxes, and simplifies the process for their loved ones.

About our Estate Planning Lawyers Ratings

The average lawyer rating is created by peers based on legal expertise, ethical standards, quality of service, and relationship skills. Recommendations are made by real clients.

CLIENT RECOMMENDED
83 %

4 Client Reviews

PEER REVIEWS
4.3

3 Peer Reviews

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Commonly Asked Estate Planning Questions From Users Near You

This information is not legal advice and is not guaranteed to be correct, complete or up-to-date. It is provided for general informational purposes only. If you need legal advice you should consult a licensed attorney in your area.

Can I change the locks of a home to a person who just died and has no will?

Kimberly Demetrice French
Answered by attorney Kimberly Demetrice French (Unclaimed Profile)
Estate Planning lawyer at Law Offices of Kimberly D. Moss, PLLC
If you are not a blood relative of this person, and his family is now coming to assert ownership of his property and belongings, you cannot legally change the locks of his home. Even without a will, a person's belongings pass by a law known as intestate succession, so the relatives coming out of the woodwork have a legal claim to the residence as well as any other items of value he left behind. They can assert this claim by filing a small estate affidavit in the county where your friend died.
If you are not a blood relative of this person, and his family is now coming to assert ownership of his property and belongings, you cannot legally change the locks of his home. Even without a will, a person's belongings pass by a law known as intestate succession, so the relatives coming out of the woodwork have a legal claim to the residence as well as any other items of value he left behind. They can assert this claim by filing a small estate affidavit in the county where your friend died.
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Does the family inure the debt the father made without their knowledge once he dies?

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Answered by attorney Isaac David Shutt (Unclaimed Profile)
Estate Planning lawyer at Shutt Law Firm, PLLC
No, only his estate is liable for his debts. None of the family will be liable for the debts, unless someone co-signed on the debt.
No, only his estate is liable for his debts. None of the family will be liable for the debts, unless someone co-signed on the debt.

What can happen if my sister does not inform me of my mothers passing

Terry Lynn Garrett
Answered by attorney Terry Lynn Garrett
Estate Planning lawyer at The Garrett Law Firm, PLLC
Your sister has no legal obligation to inform you of anything.  If there was no Will and you were an heir under Texas law, the attorney of the person applying to probate the estate would have sent you a Distributee's Agreement.  If there was a Will and you were a named beneficiary, the attorney for the person whom the Will appointed and the Court named as executor of the Will and estate would have sent you a Notice to Beneficiary after the Court admitted the Will to probate.  Based on your description, it appears that there was a Will and that you were not named as a beneficiary.
Your sister has no legal obligation to inform you of anything.  If there was no Will and you were an heir under Texas law, the attorney of the person applying to probate the estate would have sent you a Distributee's Agreement.  If there was a Will and you were a named beneficiary, the attorney for the person whom the Will appointed and the Court named as executor of the Will and estate would have sent you a Notice to Beneficiary after the Court admitted the Will to probate.  Based on your description, it appears that there was a Will and that you were not named as a beneficiary.
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