- Divorce
- GuardianshipIf you are married and have minor children, all the documents listed above are necessary along with guardianship provisions. It is a given that if something happens to you or your spouse, the other would continue on. But if something happened to both of you then those family members or close friends that you appointed will be counted on to follow through with your wishes, especially as it applies to raising your children. I can’t stress enough to parents the need to establish proper Guardianship for their children. A simple oral agreement between family and friends is not enough for the court.
- Business FormationEvery new business needs to consider obtaining its own buy and sell agreement. The Law Offices of John F. Williams, Jr. have the knowledge and experience in business formation and planning to formulate the perfect buy and sell agreement for your business. Buy and sell agreements are necessary to protect co-owners from liability if one or the other needs to leave the business. Often, unforeseen circumstances, such as financial instability, divorce, or death, leave a business in turmoil. Having a proper buy and sell agreement is an investment in diminishing future risk for everyone involved in your business. Contact an experienced attorney like John F. Williams, Jr. as soon as possible to create your own buy-sell agreement.
- Business DisputesAmerican Bar Association Section Member for the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section, the Taxation Section, and the Business Law Section
- Estate PlanningThe Law Offices of John F. Williams, Jr. have successfully represented clients since 1992. Our attorneys are experienced in Business Planning and Estate Planning.
- WillsProbating a Last Will and Testament is a straightforward process. Once the Will has been filed with the Court and the executor has been appointed, the remainder of time spent will depend on variables including the assets of the estate, location of the assets (in state and out of state) and dealing with bills and creditors. We can help you complete the probate process in a quick and painless manner. Our attorneys obtain letters testamentary to administer the assets. Our Law Firm can also probate the will as Muniment of Title to transfer ownership of property from the decedent to the heirs.
- TrustsA Determination of Heirship is simply an action filed by a relative or friend on behalf of a deceased person who has failed to leave a Will or Living Trust identifying heirs to the estate.
- Power of AttorneyAppointing someone to make health care decisions cannot be taken lightly. The person named is responsible to act for you, ensuring that your health care wishes are carried out. There are three primary documents every person should have: Power of Attorney for Health Care, an Advanced Directive and a HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) release. These documents ensure what your healthcare plans when you can no longer speak your wishes.
- ProbateIn Texas, if a person dies intestate (dies without a Will ), and the deed to the property does not include joint tenancy with survivorship language, legal issues can emerge. Which persons have rightful ownership to the property and in what percentages if any at all? Because of this, the property cannot be sold, transferred, or gifted until the Affidavit is prepared and filed of record in the county where the property is located. These affidavits are not part of any Probate Court proceeding, do not need a judge approval, and are not as reliable as other forms of estate administration. To prove the validity of the Affidavit, it must be prepared based on the testimony of two disinterested witnesses and the heirs listed in the Affidavit pursuant to Texas probate law. These individuals are entitled to inherit the property in question.
- Bankruptcy
- Tax LawThe Law Offices of John F. Williams, Jr. have worked with many clients whose estates have needed advanced planning to avoid estate taxes. Estate Tax Planning is very important for the preservation of your wealth for future generations. Knowing your potential estate tax liability is a great place to start your estate tax plan. The rules passed into law as part of the “Tax Hike Prevention Act of 2010” reduced the maximum estate tax to 35% and the first $5,000,000 of your estate is free from taxation. The new estate tax expires at the end of 2012 and if congress doesn’t act, the law reverts back to rules established in 2001.