Practice Areas

Wills
Texas & North Carolina

A professionally drafted Last Will and Testament ensures your wishes are honored, your loved ones are protected, and your assets pass exactly as you intend. Flat-fee pricing, online convenience, and personal attention from Rania Combs.

  • Licensed in Texas
  • Licensed in North Carolina
  • 30+ Years Experience
  • Flat-Fee Pricing
Request a Consultation
Learn More

Practice Area

Wills
Texas & North Carolina

A professionally drafted Last Will and Testament ensures your wishes are honored, your loved ones are protected, and your assets pass exactly as you intend. Flat-fee pricing, online convenience, and personal attention from Rania Combs.

  • Licensed in Texas
  • Licensed in North Carolina
  • 30+ Years Experience
  • Flat-Fee Pricing
Request a Consultation
Learn More

What Is a Will?

Your will speaks
when you no longer can.

A Last Will and Testament is a legal document that directs how your property will be distributed after you die, names a guardian for your minor children, and designates an Executor to carry out your instructions. Without one, the state decides what happens to your estate, not you.

In Texas and North Carolina, intestacy laws govern what happens to assets when someone dies without a will. These laws follow a rigid formula that may not reflect your family’s circumstances, your relationships, or your values. The result can leave people you care about with nothing, and give assets to people you never intended to benefit.

A properly drafted will, tailored to your situation, prevents that outcome. It gives your family clarity and the legal authority to carry out your wishes without unnecessary confusion or conflict.

What a Will Addresses

Six decisions your will
makes for your family.

Asset Distribution

Direct who receives your real estate, bank accounts, investments, personal property, and other probate assets in whatever proportions and conditions you choose.

Guardian for Minor Children

Name a trusted person to raise your children if you cannot. Without a will, a court makes this decision without your input, and the outcome may not reflect your wishes.

Executor Designation

Appoint the person responsible for gathering your assets, paying debts, filing final taxes, and distributing your estate according to your instructions.

Protection for Beneficiaries

Include conditions on gifts for young beneficiaries, individuals with special needs, or anyone who may benefit from structured distributions rather than a lump sum.

Pets and Personal Wishes

Address the care of beloved pets, specify funeral and burial preferences, and include any personal bequests, such as sentimental items, family heirlooms, or charitable gifts.

Specific Bequests

Leave particular items or dollar amounts to specific individuals or organizations, whether a family member, a close friend, or a charity meaningful to you.

Types of Wills

Different wills to accomplish your goal.

01

Attested Will (Formal Will)

A formal attested will is typed, signed in front of witnesses, and executed according to the requirements of Texas or North Carolina law. It is the most common and legally reliable form of Will. Rania Combs drafts attested wills that meet every statutory requirement in both Texas and North Carolina, ensuring your document will be honored.

02

Holographic Will

A holographic will is entirely handwritten and signed by the testator, with no witness requirement in Texas. While the law permits them, holographic wills are frequently contested or disallowed due to ambiguous language, missing provisions, or failure to meet technical requirements. A professionally drafted will eliminates these risks.

03

Will with Testamentary Trust

For families with minor children or beneficiaries who need structured distributions, a will can create a trust that takes effect at death. The trustee manages and distributes assets according to your instructions over time, rather than passing everything outright to heirs who may not be ready to manage a large inheritance.

04

Pour-Over Will

If you have a revocable living trust, a pour-over will acts as a safety net. Any assets not titled in the trust at the time of your death are directed into it by the pour-over will, so your entire estate is ultimately governed by the trust's distribution terms. The two documents are designed to work together seamlessly.

Why It Matters

What dying without a will
means in practice.

Judge Chooses Guardian

A will gives you the ability to nominate a guardian to take care of your children. Without one, that decision is made by a judge who doesn't know your values, your family relationships, or your intentions.

Intestacy Rules Control.

Intestacy laws distribute assets in a fixed legal order. Long-term partners, stepchildren, close friends, and charities receive nothing. Even a spouse may not receive what you would have wanted.

Delays and Court Costs

Estates without a valid will often require additional court proceedings to establish an administrator and validate the estate's distribution, adding time and expense for your family.

Family Conflict

When a will does not exist, family members sometimes disagree about what the deceased would have wanted. A clearly written will removes ambiguity and reduces the risk of disputes.

The Process

How It Works

Working with Rania is straightforward and secure. Here’s what to expect from our first conversation to your completed estate plan.

1

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

We start with a free introductory conference by video or phone. I'll learn about your family, your goals, and what you want your estate plan to accomplish.

2

RECEIVE YOUR FLAT-FEE QUOTE

Based on our conversation, I'll recommend the right plan and provide a firm, written fee quote before any work begins. No surprises.

3

REVIEW YOUR DOCUMENTS

I prepare your estate planning documents and share them through a secure client portal. You'll have the opportunity to review everything and ask questions.

4

SIGN AND FINALIZE

Once you're satisfied, I'll walk you through the signing requirements for your state with clear, step-by-step instructions so your documents are properly executed.

Client reviews

What clients say about working with Rania.

Families across Texas and North Carolina trust Rania Combs Law for thoughtful, personalized will drafting and estate planning.

Dan
A
Outstanding

I retained Rania to draft my complex estate plan, that involved multiple trusts, multiple beneficiaries, and all sorts of intricacies. Rania patiently worked with me over a period of ~2.5 years.

The Woodlands, TX
Kaye
A
Changes in Will

I was nervous during my consultation with Ms. Combs, but she quickly put me at ease. She was very professional, knowledgeable, and patient with all of my questions.

Texas
Pamela
A
Estate Planning

I read an article about estate planning and was led to Rania's article and website. I am so glad I found her. She was thorough, professional, and made the whole process easy.

Texas
Dan
A
Outstanding

I retained Rania to draft my complex estate plan, that involved multiple trusts, multiple beneficiaries, and all sorts of intricacies. Rania patiently worked with me over a period of ~2.5 years.

The Woodlands, TX
Kaye
A
Changes in Will

I was nervous during my consultation with Ms. Combs, but she quickly put me at ease. She was very professional, knowledgeable, and patient with all of my questions.

Texas
Pamela
A
Estate Planning

I read an article about estate planning and was led to Rania's article and website. I am so glad I found her. She was thorough, professional, and made the whole process easy.

Texas
More Client Reviews
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Common Questions

Wills FAQ

Do I need a will if I'm young and don't have many assets?

Yes. The most important function of a will for younger adults is often not asset distribution. It's naming a guardian for minor children and an Executor you trust. Without a will, a court appoints both. Even modest estates benefit from the clarity a will provides. It also reduces the burden on your family during an already difficult time.

What is the difference between a will and a living trust?

A will takes effect only at death and requires probate to transfer assets to your heirs. A revocable living trust is effective immediately, holds assets during your lifetime, and allows those assets to transfer to beneficiaries without probate. Many estate plans include both: a trust for the bulk of the estate and a pour-over will to capture any assets not transferred into the trust.

Does a will avoid probate?

No. A will is a set of instructions for the probate court. It does not avoid probate. It governs how probate proceeds. If avoiding probate is a priority, a revocable living trust combined with a pour-over will is a more effective strategy. Rania will help you determine which approach best fits your family's situation during your consultation.

Can I write my own will in Texas or North Carolina?

Technically, yes. Both states permit holographic (handwritten) wills without witnesses, and you can find will forms online. However, self-drafted wills are frequently contested, declared invalid, or fail to address important situations. A professionally drafted will ensures your document meets all legal requirements, clearly expresses your wishes, and holds up if challenged. Given what's at stake, professional drafting is a worthwhile investment.

What happens if I die without a will in Texas or North Carolina?

Your estate will be distributed according to the state's intestacy laws, which follow a fixed formula based on family relationships. The formula may not reflect what you would have wanted. Long-term partners, stepchildren, and close friends typically receive nothing. A court will also appoint an administrator and, if you have minor children, a guardian, without any input from you. You can review the specific rules on Rania's resources pages for Texas intestacy and North Carolina intestacy.

How much does it cost to have a will drafted?

Rania Combs Law charges flat fees based on the specific documents and complexity of your plan. You will receive a written fee quote before any work begins. There are never any surprises or hourly billing. You can view general fee information on the fees page.

How often should I update my will?

Review your will after any major life change: marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, a significant change in your assets, the death of a named beneficiary or Executor, or a move to a different state. As a general practice, a review every three to five years is sensible even without a major event. Wills do not expire, but an outdated will can create confusion or fail to reflect your current wishes.

Your will starts here.

Schedule a free introductory conference with Rania and take the first step toward protecting your family and ensuring your wishes are honored.

Request a Consultation