Guiding you through life's legal milestones with expertise and compassion.
At the Law Offices of Candace L. Kunz-Freed, PLLC, we understand that every client's situation is unique. Our approach to legal service is highly personalized, focusing on your specific goals, family dynamics, and financial circumstances. We provide clear, actionable advice and meticulously crafted legal documents to ensure your objectives are met efficiently and effectively.
Comprehensive strategies to protect your assets and loved ones for generations to come.
Expert guidance through the legal process of settling an estate after a loss.
Crafting precise legal instruments to ensure your final wishes are honored.
Protecting the rights, health, and financial well-being of seniors.
Estate planning is the process of anticipating and arranging for the management and disposal of your estate during your life and after death. A well-designed estate plan can provide peace of mind, ensure your wishes are carried out, minimize tax burdens, and prevent potential family disputes. Our firm specializes in creating comprehensive, personalized estate plans tailored to your unique circumstances and goals.
Estate planning is the process of anticipating and arranging for the management and disposal of your estate during your life and after death. It involves making important decisions about who will manage your affairs if you become incapacitated and how your assets will be distributed after your death. A comprehensive estate plan can include wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and beneficiary designations.
A complete estate plan typically includes: Last Will and Testament, Revocable Living Trust, Durable Power of Attorney, Medical Power of Attorney, HIPAA Authorization, Directive to Physicians, and Beneficiary Designations. Each document serves a specific purpose in protecting your interests and ensuring your wishes are carried out.
Our process begins with a thorough consultation to understand your unique situation, goals, and concerns. We then develop a personalized estate plan tailored to your needs, explain all options in plain language, draft all necessary documents, and review everything with you before finalization. We are here to guide you through every step.
When a loved one passes away, navigating the legal complexities of estate administration can be an overwhelming and emotionally challenging process. Our firm offers compassionate and efficient guidance through all aspects of probate and estate administration in Texas. We assist executors, administrators, and beneficiaries in fulfilling their duties and rights, ensuring a smooth and proper transfer of assets.
Probate is the legal process of administering a deceased person's estate. In Texas, this involves validating the will (if one exists), identifying and inventorying assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing remaining assets to beneficiaries. Texas offers both formal probate proceedings and simpler alternatives for small estates.
We guide you through filing the necessary petitions with the probate court, identifying and securing estate assets, inventorying and appraising assets, paying valid debts and taxes, preparing and filing required court reports, and distributing assets to beneficiaries. Our goal is to make this process as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Common challenges include will contests, beneficiary disputes, missing heirs, complicated asset valuation, tax issues, and creditor claims. Our experienced attorneys can help navigate these challenges and find solutions that protect your interests while honoring the decedent's wishes.
Wills and trusts are fundamental components of a robust estate plan, serving as the bedrock for how your assets will be managed and distributed. Our firm meticulously drafts these critical documents, ensuring they reflect your precise intentions and comply with all Texas legal requirements. We empower you to make informed decisions about your property, minor children, and beneficiaries.
A Last Will and Testament is a legal document that specifies how you want your assets distributed after death and who should manage your estate. Key provisions include appointing an executor, designating guardians for minor children, making specific bequests, and establishing residuary clauses. Without a valid will, Texas intestacy laws determine asset distribution.
We offer various trust options including Revocable Living Trusts (can be changed during your lifetime), Irrevocable Trusts (cannot be easily modified), Testamentary Trusts (created through your will), Special Needs Trusts (for individuals with disabilities), and Charitable Trusts. Each serves different purposes in estate planning.
Professional drafting ensures your documents are legally valid, clearly express your intentions, minimize estate taxes, avoid probate delays, and protect against challenges. Our experienced attorneys understand Texas law and can create documents that stand up to legal scrutiny while achieving your goals.
Elder Law encompasses a wide range of legal issues affecting older adults, including long-term care planning, guardianship, and protection against elder abuse. Our firm provides sensitive and knowledgeable legal support to seniors and their families, ensuring their rights are protected and their needs are met with dignity and respect. We help navigate complex regulations to secure their future.
Planning for long-term care involves understanding options for nursing home care, assisted living, and home health care. We help with Medicaid planning to protect assets while qualifying for benefits, Veterans' benefits planning (Aid and Attendance), long-term care insurance evaluation, and creating plans to preserve assets for spouses or heirs.
When a loved one can no longer make decisions for themselves, guardianship may be necessary. We assist families with establishing guardianships for minors or incapacitated adults, contesting inappropriate guardianships, and serving as a resource for guardians regarding their responsibilities and duties.
Having proper powers of attorney in place is essential. A Financial Power of Attorney allows someone to manage your financial affairs if you cannot. A Medical Power of Attorney authorizes someone to make healthcare decisions. We help you understand these documents and choose the right agents to act on your behalf.
Our fees are transparent and depend on the complexity of your plan. We offer an initial consultation to discuss your needs and provide a clear fee structure. Simple estate plans are more affordable, while complex plans involving multiple trusts or business interests require more time and expertise.
Often, a 'pour-over' will is used in conjunction with a trust to ensure any assets not funded into the trust are directed there. This provides an additional layer of protection and ensures all assets are properly distributed according to your wishes. We can advise on the best strategy for your specific situation.
The timeline varies depending on the estate's complexity and court caseloads, typically ranging from a few months to over a year. Simple estates with a valid will and no disputes can be completed more quickly, while complex estates or those with challenges may take significantly longer. We strive for efficiency while ensuring all requirements are met.
A Power of Attorney is a voluntary appointment made by a competent individual, authorizing someone else to act on their behalf. Guardianship is a court-ordered process for individuals deemed incapacitated, where a judge appoints someone to make decisions. We can help you understand which option is appropriate for your situation.
Contact the Law Offices of Candace L. Kunz-Freed, PLLC today.
Schedule Your Consultation