Practice Areas

Estate Planning

Estate planning generally involves either a Will based estate plan or a Trust based estate plan.  Whether your estate plan is Will-based plan trust-based , it must take into consideration pre-marital and post-marital property agreements, beneficiary designations on financial accounts, deed work including transfer on death deeds, lady birds or preparation and recording of deeds into trust, business agreements, mineral interests, digital assets including cryptocurrency, and any out-of-state property or time shares, as well as any special concerns for you or your loved ones.  At a minimum, a Will package includes a Last Will and Testament with Power of Attorney, Medical Power of Attorney, Advance Directive and HIPAA Release form.  A trust based plan includes a customized trust agreement with a Pourover Will and all related ancillary documents for your trust.

Probate

Probate involves the process of property transfer through Probate court after an individual has passed away.  Probate involves probating a Will, determining heirs, administering an estate, and guardianship proceedings.  There are many types of probate procedures available in Texas depending on the facts of your case.  For example, if the estate qualifies and no administration is needed, you may be able to use a Small Estate Affidavit or a Probate of Will as Muniment of Title.  If an individual dies without a Will, it may be necessary to obtain a judicial determination of heirship from the probate court in order to determine the legal heirs of an estate and their property interests in an estate.   

Family Law

Law Office of Laura Vale, PPLC handles selected family law matters, such as uncontested divorce, custody agreements, premarital agreements, postmarital agreements, and adoption.