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Wills and Powers of Attorney

Caring Estate Planning Counsel

The process of thinking about how to wrap up your affairs and provide for future generations can be an emotional and difficult one, but successfully putting together an estate plan can also be an enormous source of relief.

I am Colleen A. Dunbar, an experienced Dallas estate planning lawyer with the compassion and understanding to guide clients through important end-of-life planning decisions. To begin the process of adopting a will, living will and other estate planning tools, contact me to schedule a free half-hour consultation.

Drafting Wills and Comprehensive Estate Plans

A will is the most central element of anyone's estate plan. Most people understand that your will expresses your wishes concerning how your property should be distributed to your family members and beneficiaries, but it has several other important functions. It names a personal representative to handle probate administration, and it names guardians for any minor children you may have.

If you die without a will, the court will appoint a personal representative to wrap up your affairs, and your property will be distributed to your heirs according to a default provision of Texas law. If you have minor children, your family may end up in litigation over their guardianship and custody.

I have extensive experience drafting wills under Texas law and can help you prepare a will that reflects your wishes for your estate and family.

I can also help you with other estate planning instruments, such as revocable living trusts, which can help you pass property along without the supervision of the probate court. Contact me to discuss how we can put together a comprehensive estate plan that meets your needs and goals.

Put Your Health Care Wishes in Writing

In recent years, the unfortunate controversy surrounding Terri Schiavo in Florida has brought public attention to what can happen when the courts must rely on the testimony of family members to establish the wishes of a person who can no longer communicate those wishes.

Making your own wishes known now through the appropriate legal mechanisms could end up relieving your loved ones of a great deal of agony. I can help you take this important step by drafting a medical power of attorney and physician's directive (living will) to reflect your desired arrangements.