1602 N. PanAm Expressway, San Antonio, TX 78208
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Recent Blog Posts
Should I Set Up a Trust in Texas?
If you worry about what will happen to your estate after your death, you might find it eases your worries to make thorough preparations. One step you might take is setting up a trust for your beneficiaries. When combined with a well-written will, a trust can be a powerful tool in its own right. With assistance from a Texas estate planning attorney, you can set up a living trust according to your specifications.
There are numerous benefits to setting up a trust in your lifetime, particularly when it comes to protecting your property. At Geoff Mayfield, Attorney at Law, we can guide you through the process of establishing a trust, helping you steer clear of risks and liabilities.
Can I Avoid Probate Through a Living Trust?
A living trust can be used to exclude certain property from the probate court. After your passing, all of your assets and property will go through probate court to be divided up among your beneficiaries. Even if you designate who will receive your assets in your will, disputes can still arise between your beneficiaries.
Why Is Probate Court So Complicated?
Few people look forward to the process of probate after a loved one passes on. Going through the deceased’s assets and dividing them up can be a tedious but necessary endeavor. Oftentimes, estate administrators and beneficiaries are unprepared for just how complex probate can be. A Texas probate attorney can provide invaluable assistance during this process, lending skilled representation and counsel.
At Geoff Mayfield, Attorney at Law, we offer highly personalized legal services to help you get to the bottom of probate administration. Together, we can address the various complications that come with dividing up a decedent’s estate, whether you are an administrator or a beneficiary.
How Are Assets Accounted For?
If you are appointed as the administrator of the estate, you will be responsible for dividing up the deceased person’s property. This means that you will have to get a full inventory of the decedent’s assets. This includes personal belongings, real estate holdings, and investments. You will also have to uncover the decedent’s liabilities, which may include unpaid debts or loans.
Three Ways General Counsel From a Lawyer Can Help Your Business
As a small business owner, keeping your daily operations running smoothly might take up all of your attention. With your resources spread thin, it may be difficult to keep track of the legal issues facing your business. However, do not feel as though you have to manage everything by yourself. A Texas small business attorney can help you tackle these problems as they come, looking out for your best interests.
If you need general counsel from a skilled business attorney, Geoff Mayfield, Attorney at Law is here to help. Our firm can provide you with legal advice and oversight for your specific needs.
General Counsel is Cost Efficient
Larger companies and corporations often have the financial resources to keep an attorney on staff. However, this option may not be feasible for small business owners who can only take on a limited number of employees. Moreover, if you are not dealing with legal issues on a regular basis, it can be hard to justify putting a full-time attorney on your payroll.
How Can an Attorney Help With FSBO Transactions?
Some people looking to sell a home think it is a good idea to cut out the middleman and offer a property directly to a buyer. A "for sale by owner" (FSBO) transaction FSBO transactions may seem quicker and more cost-effective, but they can involve complex legal requirements that an attorney can help you navigate. A Texas real estate lawyer can help protect your rights in these sales, looking out for your best interests from start to finish.
Having a practical attorney at your side can make a real estate sale much smoother to navigate. At Geoff Mayfield, Attorney at Law, we have over 15 years of experience helping clients with real estate concerns. When you work with our firm, we will do everything we can to facilitate the smooth sale of your property.
Negotiating a Purchase Agreement for a Home
Working out a purchase agreement with a potential buyer is rarely a simple process. Before you can move forward with a sale, you will have to prepare a contract to establish the terms of the transaction.
Three Important Things to Include in Your Will
Deciding to write a will is a great first step to take if you want to look out for your family after your death. That being said, the process can be as complicated as it is mentally and emotionally exhausting. If you have resolved to write a will, you might have no idea where to begin or what to include. A Texas estate planning attorney can help you with your will to make sure your concerns for your beneficiaries are addressed.
Drafting a will is a sensitive, highly personal matter. At Geoff Mayfield, Attorney at Law, our lawyer can sit down with you individually to figure out how you want to portion your estate.
Choosing Someone to Inherit Your Home
Leaving your home to a beneficiary is one of the most generous things you can do. However, choosing a single beneficiary may not be a simple process. Depending on your situation, disputes may arise about who should get the home. To reduce the chances of conflict, you should make sure that your will clearly specifies who has ownership over your home.
How Are Assets Distributed in Texas Probate Court?
When somebody passes on, questions can arise over who has a claim to his or her property. The purpose of probate court is to determine how this property should be divided up between the beneficiaries. If you are going through a dispute involving your loved one’s estate, a Texas probate attorney can answer your questions and take legal action to address your concerns.
At Geoff Mayfield, Attorney at Law, we have over a decade of experience handling complex legal issues on behalf of our clients. When you work with our probate attorney, you will receive quality representation and counsel during the division of your loved one’s property, helping to move the process along as smoothly as possible.
What if the Decedent Owes Debts?
If someone leaves behind debts such as unpaid bills or loans, it could come back to haunt their beneficiaries in probate court. Upon the decedent’s passing, the personal representative of the estate must notify all of the estate’s creditors, who can come back to collect on the decedent’s debts.
How Can I Resolve a Business Dispute?
If you are going through a disagreement involving your business, you may be concerned about how to handle it without interrupting your daily operations. Whether you are dealing with a business partner or an outside party, a legal dispute can be intimidating to handle on your own. With the help of a Texas business law attorney, you can navigate these conflicts with confidence, backed by a strong legal advocate.
At Geoff Mayfield, Attorney at Law, our firm is here to support you through all manner of business disputes, from contract violations to disagreements between partners. With over a decade of experience, Attorney Geoff Mayfield can represent you in any setting and provide you with informed counsel.
Mediation for Business Disputes
If you do not want to involve the court in your business dispute, you might prefer handling your affairs through mediation. This is a more informal way of settling a disagreement, provided that you and the other party are willing to sit down and talk.
As a Landlord, Do I Need an Attorney?
It is helpful to know the law if you are a landlord. That said, it is unreasonable to expect every landlord to have an encyclopedic knowledge of their rights and obligations. If you need legal representation for issues with your tenants or other troubles, a San Antonio, TX real estate attorney can help to protect your rights.
At Geoff Mayfield, Attorney at Law, we provide representation and counsel to landlords in a variety of matters. Our attorney has over a decade of experience practicing law, giving him a clear perspective of how to effectively strategize around real estate cases. When you work with our firm, you will receive advice and advocacy that can help you reach a practical solution.
How Should I Handle Tenant Disputes?
If you are involved in a dispute with your tenant, having an attorney at your side can be incredibly valuable. A skilled real estate attorney can review your case and inform you of your options, looking for ways to resolve the dispute without costing you significant time and money. Our firm can defend you against a variety of accusations, such as:
Personal Reasons to Consider Power of Attorney
Few people, if anyone, want to imagine becoming incapacitated. When you reach a point where you are unable to make decisions for yourself, it may be necessary to appoint someone to carry out your wishes. In Texas, a power of attorney (POA) document can name someone who you want to put in charge of handling your medical or financial affairs when you are not able to. A Bexar County, TX estate planning lawyer can help you draft this document for your peace of mind.
Estate planning is certainly a sensitive subject for many. You may have your own personal reasons for wanting to set up a POA that you do not need to share with anyone. At Geoff Mayfield, Attorney at Law, we are here to help carry out your wishes and enforce them legally.
Family History of Illness
If you are genetically predisposed to a family illness, it may be prudent to write a power of attorney. For instance, if disabling conditions like stroke or Alzheimer’s disease run in your family, you might decide to make preparations ahead of time.
Common Disputes in Probate Court
Sorting through a deceased loved one’s estate is often a complicated, tedious process. However, when an issue arises over your loved one’s estate, a debate can escalate to full-on litigation. A Texas probate attorney can provide you with legal advice and representation for your needs, protecting your rights in a dispute.
At Geoff Mayfield, Attorney at Law, we can advocate for you on a variety of issues concerning your loved one’s will and estate. Attorney Geoff Mayfield has over 15 years of legal experience, so you can take comfort in knowing that your probate issue will be handled by a skilled negotiator and litigator.
Breach of Fiduciary Duty
If you are appointed to manage the distribution of somebody else’s will or trust, you have a fiduciary duty. This means that you are legally obligated to manage the assets according to the deceased person’s wishes and in the best interests of the beneficiaries. If you are accused of violating your fiduciary duty, your powers over the estate could be revoked, and you could be ordered to pay back what was lost.
1602 N. PanAm Expressway, San Antonio, TX 78208
210-535-0870
