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Estate Planning and Probate
Your Estate Plan Is Not About What You Have. It Is About Who Decides When You Cannot.
A will and estate plan are not documents for the wealthy. They are instructions you leave for the people you love — about who receives what you have worked for, who makes medical decisions if you are incapacitated, and who cares for your children if something happens to you. Without those instructions, Texas law fills in the blanks for you.
I am Laura Allison Ramos, an estate planning attorney in Corpus Christi, TX, and I help individuals and families create plans that reflect their actual wishes — including immigrant families with beneficiaries in multiple countries and unique considerations that a generic template cannot address.
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What Estate Planning Actually Covers
Estate planning is the process of documenting your decisions before a crisis forces someone else to make them. A complete plan typically includes a will, a medical power of attorney, a durable power of attorney for financial matters, and a directive to physicians. Together, these documents answer the questions your family would otherwise have to answer in court or in conflict.
The most common misconception I hear is that estate planning is only necessary if you own significant assets. That is not accurate. If you have a bank account, a vehicle, a home, children, or opinions about your own medical care, you have reasons to have a plan.
The second misconception is that a will and a trust are interchangeable, or that you need both. In most cases, a well-drafted will is sufficient. Whether a trust makes sense depends on the size and complexity of your estate, your goals for distribution, and whether you have minor children or beneficiaries with special needs. I will tell you honestly what you need — and what you do not.
Estate Planning for Corpus Christi Families and Beyond
Corpus Christi has a distinct mix of clients whose estate planning needs go beyond a standard will.
Energy-sector workers and landowners with royalty interests need plans that account for how those interests transfer, how income continues after death, and whether co-owners or heirs need specific protections. Military families stationed at NAS Corpus Christi often have survivor benefit plans, life insurance designations, and federal benefits that interact with a will in ways that require careful coordination.
Immigrant families face a different set of questions entirely. A Texas will can name beneficiaries regardless of their immigration status or country of residence. But distributing assets across borders involves additional considerations — legal recognition in the receiving country, currency and banking logistics, and how ongoing immigration proceedings may affect an estate. I work with immigrant families on estate plans that address these realities rather than ignoring them.
Many immigrant clients come to me having relied on informal family arrangements for years. Those arrangements are not legally enforceable in Texas. A proper estate plan is the only way to ensure your wishes are honored and your family is protected.
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Services in This Practice Area
I handle the full range of estate planning and probate matters for individuals and families in Texas.
Wills
A legally valid Texas will designates who receives your assets, names a guardian for minor children, and appoints an executor to carry out your wishes.
A complete plan includes your will alongside powers of attorney and advance directives that cover financial and medical decisions during your lifetime.
Estate Planning
When a loved one passes, their estate must be administered through the Texas probate process — whether or not they had a will. I guide families through every step.
Probate
What Happens Without a Will in Texas
Texas intestacy laws determine how an estate is distributed when someone dies without a will. The outcome depends on whether the deceased was married, had children, and how property was titled. In many cases, the distribution does not match what the person would have wanted — and in blended families or families with non-citizen members, the gaps can be significant.
No will also means no named executor, which means the court appoints an administrator and the process takes longer. If minor children are involved and no guardian has been designated, a court decides that too.
The cost of creating a will is a fraction of the cost of resolving an estate without one.
What Is Probate and When Do You Need It?
Probate is the court-supervised process for administering a deceased person's estate. It confirms the validity of a will, authorizes the executor to act, and oversees the distribution of assets to heirs. In Texas, many estates can be administered through a simplified independent administration process, which is less burdensome than full court supervision.
If a family member has passed and there is no will, Texas law provides a process called an heirship determination, which establishes who the legal heirs are before distribution can proceed. This process is navigable — it simply requires proper legal guidance.
Learn more about what to expect on my probate subpage.
Why Families in South Texas Trust My Approach
I have been practicing law for 14 years, and I handle estate planning with the same directness I bring to every area of my practice. I do not recommend documents you do not need. I do not file applications that are unlikely to succeed. I explain your options in plain language — in English or Spanish — and I let you make an informed decision.
For immigrant families especially, I understand that the legal system can feel unfamiliar and the stakes feel high. My goal is to make the process clear, manageable, and tailored to your actual situation.
Common Questions About Estate Planning and Probate in Texas
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Do I need an estate plan if I do not own a home or have significant savings?
In Texas, misdemeanors are the less severe category of criminal offense and are punishable by up to one year in county jail and fines. Felonies are more serious charges that carry potential state prison sentences ranging from 180 days to life, depending on the degree. Both categories carry collateral consequences — including effects on employment, housing, and immigration status — that extend well beyond the sentence itself.
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Can I leave assets to a family member who lives in another country or is not a US citizen?
That depends on the value of your home, your belongings, and your level of risk. We’ll help you calculate replacement costs and liability needs to ensure you’re fully protected without overpaying.
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What is the difference between a will and a trust?
A will takes effect after you pass and goes through probate. A trust can take effect during your lifetime and allows assets to transfer to beneficiaries without probate. For most individuals and families in Texas, a well-drafted will is sufficient. A trust makes sense in specific circumstances — larger estates, minor beneficiaries, or particular privacy concerns. I will tell you which applies to your situation.
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How long does probate take in Texas?
For straightforward estates with a valid will, Texas independent administration can often be completed in a few months. More complex estates, contested wills, or cases without a will take longer. An heirship determination proceeding, required when there is no will, adds time to the process but is manageable with proper legal guidance.
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What happens if a family member dies without a will and the family cannot agree on how to divide the estate?
Texas probate law governs the distribution, not the family's preferences. If there is disagreement, the court resolves it. An experienced probate attorney can help the family understand what the law requires and move the process forward without unnecessary conflict or delay.
