Wills
A will is one of the most important documents you'll ever sign. Most Texans don't have one.
A will doesn't require a large estate, a complicated family situation, or a particular stage of life. It requires only that you have people you care about and wishes you want honored. If that sounds like you, a will is worth having — and it's likely simpler to put in place than you think.
At Jennings Law Firm, Bethany helps Texas individuals and families create wills that are legally sound, clearly written, and built around their actual lives.
What Is a Will?
A last will and testament is a legal document that directs how your property is distributed after your death, names the person responsible for carrying out those wishes, and — for parents — designates a guardian for your minor children. Without one, none of those decisions belong to you anymore. They belong to the state.
Under Texas intestate succession laws, if you die without a valid will, a court determines who inherits your assets according to a fixed statutory formula. That formula doesn't account for your relationships, your intentions, or the specific needs of the people you love.
What a Texas Will Can Do For You
A properly drafted will gives you control over decisions that matter deeply to your family:
Name who receives your property You decide who inherits your assets — not the state. This includes specific gifts to individuals, charitable contributions, and how your remaining estate is divided among beneficiaries.
Designate a guardian for your minor children This is one of the most important things a will does, and one of the most overlooked. Without that designation in writing, a court makes that decision for you — and it may not be the person you would have chosen.
Appoint an independent executor Your executor manages your estate after your death — paying debts, filing final tax returns, and distributing assets according to your wishes. Naming an independent executor in your will allows your estate to be administered with minimal court involvement, which saves your family significant time and expense.
Provide for beneficiaries with specific needs A will can include provisions for minor children, family members with disabilities, or anyone whose circumstances require careful consideration of how and when they receive assets.
What Makes a Will Valid in Texas
Texas has specific legal requirements for a will to be enforceable. Online or DIY wills may appear to meet the technical requirements, but a single missing element or ambiguous provision can render a will invalid or create costly disputes. The stakes are too high to leave to a template.
When to Update Your Will
A will reflects your life at the time it's written. As your life changes, your will should too. Texas law may not automatically revise your documents when major events occur — and outdated wills can create confusion, family conflict, and unintended outcomes. Most estate planning attorneys recommend reviewing your will every three to five years, and soon after a major life event.
A Note on Estate Planning
It's equally important to understand a will's limits. A will may not cover all of the assets under your control such as retirement accounts, life insurance policies and certain types of bank accounts, just to name a few.
This is why a complete estate plan involves more than just a will. Bethany reviews your full picture — not just the document in front of her — to make sure everything works together the way you intend.
How Bethany Can Help
Bethany has spent her entire career in trust and estate law, drafting wills for straightforward situations and complex ones alike, and seeing firsthand what happens when families are left without clear direction. She brings that experience to every client she works with, whether you're creating your first will or finally updating one that's been sitting in a drawer for years.
You'll work directly with Bethany from start to finish. She'll ask the right questions, explain your options in plain language, and make sure the final document actually does what you need it to do, for the people who matter most to you.
Your first consultation is free. It's a 30-minute phone call — no commitment, no pressure, just a conversation about where you are and what you need.
Have questions first? Leave us a message or give us a call.