Practice Area
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 and personal attention from Rania Combs.
What Is a Will?
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
Direct who receives your real estate, bank accounts, investments, personal property, and other probate assets in whatever proportions and conditions you choose.
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.
Appoint the person responsible for gathering your assets, paying debts, filing final taxes, and distributing your estate according to your instructions.
Include conditions on gifts for young beneficiaries, individuals with special needs, or anyone who may benefit from structured distributions rather than a lump sum.
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.
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
01
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
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
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
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
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 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.
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.
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.
Working with Rania is straightforward and secure. Here’s what to expect from our first conversation to your completed estate plan.
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.
Based on our conversation, I'll recommend the right plan and provide a firm, written fee quote before any work begins. No surprises.
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.
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
Families across Texas and North Carolina trust Rania Combs Law for thoughtful, personalized will drafting and estate planning.
Common Questions
Schedule a free introductory conference with Rania and take the first step toward protecting your family and ensuring your wishes are honored.
Practice Areas
The information contained in this website is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as offering legal advice or creating an attorney-client relationship between the reader and the author. You should not act or refrain from acting on the basis of any content included in this website without seeking appropriate legal advice about your individual facts and circumstances from an attorney licensed in your state. Rania Combs is licensed to practice law in Texas and North Carolina. Rania Combs is physically located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and meets with clients in Houston, Texas by appointment only.
