|

A Will Written Right — So Your Wishes Hold Up When It Matters Most

Your will is the document that speaks for you when you no longer can. Every year without one is a year your family's future depends on whatever Texas law happens to say — which may have nothing to do with what you actually want. I help individuals and families in Corpus Christi and across Texas put a valid, enforceable will in place, drafted to fit your life and your specific assets, not a generic template.

|

|

Why a Texas Will Needs to Be Done Correctly

Texas law sets formal requirements for a valid will. It must be in writing, signed by you, and witnessed by two competent witnesses who are at least 14 years old and who are not named as beneficiaries. Handwritten wills — called holographic wills — are recognized in Texas, but they carry real risk. A single missing element can give a court grounds to challenge or void the document entirely.

 

Online will services generate generic templates. They do not know whether you own mineral rights, homestead property, or a business interest. They do not account for Texas-specific execution requirements, and they cannot advise you on how to structure your estate when a family member is not a U.S. citizen. A will that does not hold up in court is the same as no will at all.

What Happens When You Die Without a Will in Texas

Texas intestacy law — the set of rules that governs estates without a valid will — distributes your assets according to a fixed formula. That formula does not know your family. It does not account for a blended family, an unmarried partner, a child from a previous relationship, or a non-citizen spouse. The result can be an outcome that conflicts entirely with your actual wishes, and your family will have no legal recourse to change it.

 

Dying without a will also leaves the probate court to appoint an administrator for your estate. That person may not be who you would have chosen. If you have minor children, the court will also determine guardianship arrangements without the benefit of your guidance. Putting a will in place takes one meeting. The cost of not having one can be measured in years of family conflict and legal expense.

For relatives living outside the United States


After USCIS approves the initial petition, the case transfers to the National Visa Center and then to a U.S. embassy or consulate in the applicant's home country. Your relative attends an interview abroad and, if approved, enters the United States as a lawful permanent resident. I prepare families for what the consular interview involves and what documents are required.


The right path depends on your family member's specific situation, including whether they entered the U.S. lawfully, whether they have any prior immigration violations, and whether any bars to admissibility apply.

Hand holding a person icon with a circular arrow above, indicating transfer or support in black and white.

Consular Processing

Situations Where an Attorney-Drafted Will Is Essential

Some situations make attorney involvement especially important. If any of the following apply to your life, a template will is not an adequate solution.

Black ID badge icon with a person silhouette and three horizontal lines on a white background

Mineral Interests, Homestead Property, and Business Ownership

Some situations make attorney involvement especially important. If any of the following apply to your life, a template will is not an adequate solution.

Black passport icon with a white globe and lines on the cover

Non-Citizen Family Members and Immigrant Clients

Designating a non-citizen as an executor or a primary beneficiary introduces complications that a standard will does not address. Federal estate tax rules treat transfers to non-citizen spouses differently than transfers to U.S. citizen spouses, and estate administration can become significantly more complex when an executor lacks U.S. residency. I work with immigrant clients and families with mixed citizenship status to structure wills that account for these realities from the start.

When to Update an Existing Will

A will you wrote five years ago may not protect your family today. Texas law does not automatically update your will when your life changes. If you have experienced any of the following, your will should be reviewed:

 

  • Marriage or divorce
  • The birth or adoption of a child
  • A significant change in assets, including acquiring real property or a business interest
  • The death of a named beneficiary or executor
  • A change in your immigration status or that of a family member
  • Moving to Texas from another state

 

I review existing wills and prepare amendments — called codicils — or full replacements when the changes to your life are substantial enough to warrant starting fresh. If you are not sure whether your current will still reflects your wishes, a review is a straightforward first step.

Common Questions About Wills in Texas

  • Do I need an attorney to write a will in Texas, or can I use an online service?

    Texas law does not require an attorney to draft your will, but an attorney-drafted will is significantly more reliable. Online services generate templates that do not account for Texas execution requirements, local asset types like mineral interests, or individual family circumstances involving non-citizens or blended families. If the document is challenged or improperly executed, it may be declared void.

  • What makes a will legally valid in Texas?

    A Texas will must be in writing, signed by the person making the will, and witnessed by two people who are at least 14 years old and are not named as beneficiaries. A handwritten will signed entirely in the testator's own handwriting may qualify as a holographic will without witnesses, but holographic wills are more vulnerable to challenge and should not be relied on when a properly executed will is an option.

  • How often should I update my will?

    You should review your will after any major life event — marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, a significant change in assets, or the death of a named beneficiary or executor. There is no fixed schedule, but if your will is more than a few years old and your life has changed, a review is worth scheduling.

  • What happens to my estate if I die without a will in Texas?

    Texas intestacy laws determine who inherits your assets. The distribution follows a statutory formula based on your legal relationships — spouse, children, parents — and does not account for your actual wishes, unmarried partners, stepchildren who were not legally adopted, or non-citizen family members. For blended families and immigrant families in particular, the result can differ significantly from what you intended.

  • Can I name a non-citizen as the executor of my will?

    Yes, but doing so requires careful planning. A non-citizen executor may face restrictions in Texas probate court, and if the executor is also a non-resident, the court may require them to post a bond or appoint a resident agent. I help clients with non-citizen family members structure their wills in a way that avoids unnecessary complications in estate administration.
Start Your Case

Put Your Wishes in Writing — Before Life Decides for You

A properly drafted will is one of the most direct things you can do for the people you care about. I work with individuals and families in Corpus Christi and across Texas to prepare wills that are clear, legally sound, and built around your actual circumstances. If you have been putting this off, the right time to start is now.

Start Your Case