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West Texas Estate Planning And Probate

In Texas, a well-rounded estate plan has many benefits for your family and business. At the law office of Stubbeman, McRae, Sealy, Laughlin & Browder, Inc., our attorneys have decades of combined experience helping individuals and businesses address important estate planning matters. An estate plan is valuable at any age because it not only protects your assets, but also addresses important family decisions such as guardians for minor children, long term care for the elderly or those with special needs, and health care decisions that may arise at any time. Our lawyers can help you draft important estate planning documents and utilize other valuable tools, including:

Protecting Taxable Estates

An estate may be subjected to estate taxes if its value is high enough. With the right planning, you can help protect those assets and lessen the burden of federal and state taxes. For many people and companies, avoiding estate taxes is an important way to protect their assets and their heirs. Through trusts, business succession planning and other techniques, our experienced attorneys can help protect your most valuable assets.

Updating And Reviewing Existing Estate Plans

Estate plans are not meant to be created once and never touched again. In fact, a good estate plan should evolve with your life, changing as your life does.

Whether your estate plan was not handled correctly the first time or you need to make updates due to major life changes, our attorneys can help. We will review your existing estate plan to make sure it reflects your current situation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Estate Planning And Probate

Estate planning and probate involve important rules that must be followed carefully. This can introduce concerns about how property passes and how important decisions are made. Below, we address common issues that can arise for Texas families, landowners and business owners.

How does the probate process work in Texas?

Probate is the court process used to validate a will, identify estate property and authorize transfers to beneficiaries. Texas law allows many estates to use Independent Administration, which limits court involvement when the will or heirs permit it. This structure helps an executor handle tasks such as gathering assets, paying valid debts and distributing remaining property.

Probate is usually required when someone dies owning real estate, mineral interests or financial accounts titled only in that person’s name. West Texas estates often need probate to clear title to ranchland, surface rights or producing minerals before those assets can be sold, leased or transferred.

When and why should an existing Texas estate plan be reviewed or updated?

An estate plan must reflect your current goals, family structure and asset holdings. Regular reviews help ensure your documents remain accurate and legally effective. Updates are especially important after major life events such as marriage, divorce, the birth or adoption of a child, or the death of a named executor or beneficiary.

Additionally, a move to Texas also warrants a review because documents created in another state may not fully comply with Texas statutes. Changes in federal tax laws or significant shifts in asset value can also affect the usefulness of existing trusts or other planning tools. A periodic review helps confirm that each document still functions as intended.

Why is business succession planning critical for West Texas landowners and business owners?

A succession plan establishes who will manage or own a business, ranch or agricultural operation if the current owner retires, becomes incapacitated or dies. Without a plan, families often face operational disruptions, creditor issues or disputes over control.

West Texas enterprises can hold substantial value in land, livestock, equipment, oil & gas, and mineral interests, which makes continuity planning essential. A clear succession structure helps preserve working assets, maintain cash flow and protect multigenerational operations. It also reduces the risk of forced sales that could weaken the long‑term stability of the business.

Contact Us Today

To arrange a time to discuss your estate planning needs, please send us an email or call our office at 432-741-3803.