Source: https://willing.com/texas-last-will-testament
Timestamp: 2019-06-17 15:46:00
Document Index: 215092204

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 251', '§ 251', '§ 251', '§ 251', '§ 251', '§ 251', '§ 253', '§ 256']

Texas Last Will & Testament - Write Your Legal Will - Willing
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The legal requirements for making a will in Texas can be found in Texas Estates Code § 251.001. See below for the basics.
To make a valid will in Texas, certain legal requirements must be met. There are requirements for both the person making the will (called a “testator”), and for the will itself.
a person of sound mind has the right and power to make a will if, at the time the will is made, the person:
(3) is a member of the armed forces of the United States, an auxiliary of the armed forces of the United States, or the United States Maritime Service. Texas Estates Code § 251.001.
Regarding the will itself, the standard requirements are set forth in Texas Estates Code § 251.051.
Although there are various exceptions and special rules, these are the standard requirements for Texas wills.
In addition, Texas allows a will to be made without witnesses if it is written by hand by the testator and signed at the end. Texas Estates Code § 251.052. This is called a “holographic will”. Holographic wills offer some convenience, but they come with the risk of making mistakes that could leave a will invalid.
You should definitely have your will notarized. Under Texas law, a will that meets certain requirements — including proper notarization — is “self proved”. Texas Estates Code § 251.101. A self proved will can be admitted to probate court without the testimony of the witnesses to the will. (When a will that isn’t self proved is submitted to the probate court, the court will require testimony from witnesses, or other proof, to establish that the will is what it claims to be.)
How does it work? To make a will self-proved in Texas, the testator and witnesses must sign a “self proving affidavit” before a notary public. An affidavit is a sworn statement, and a notary public is an officer of the court. Therefore, an affidavit before a notary public is like making a statement in court. So, when an affidavit states that the will was properly executed, it’s as good as in-court testimony, and the witnesses don’t need to show up when it’s time for the will to be admitted to court. Texas Estates Code § 251.101.
Do I need an attorney to make a will in Texas?
No. An attorney is not required to make a will in Texas. For the vast majority of people, an attorney will simply do the same things that a good will-making software does — ask you questions and then create documents for you based on your information and wishes. However, in certain situations it is a good idea seek legal advice from an attorney, like if you have a child with special needs, or if you have a high net worth (around $10 million) and are concerned about federal estate taxes. In these cases, an attorney can help you navigate special questions and create a proper plan.
Texas law handles old wills in two ways. First, if you have an old will in place, you can cancel it by creating a new one. A good will usually contains a statement that it revokes (cancels) any prior wills. Second, a will can be cancelled simply by physically destroying it. Texas Estates Code § 253.002.
Under Texas law, a will is filed with the court after the death of the testator. Texas Estates Code § 256.003. So, after you pass away, your will should be filed in your local probate court by the person named to be your personal representative (also called an “executor” or “administrator”). This will begin the legal process known as “probate” through which your wishes are carried out under court supervision.
You can generally leave your property however you want. However, married individuals should note: Texas is a “community property” state. This means that assets acquired during a marriage (or improved with funds earned during a marriage) belong to both spouses equally. Therefore, when one spouse dies, the other, surviving spouse still continues to own his or her half. The will of the deceased covers only the half of the property that was owned by the deceased. Most married individuals leave everything to their spouse anyway, so this usually doesn’t change people’s plans.