Probate & Estate Planning

Estate Planning, Probate, and Trust

McDaniel Acord offers comprehensive Estate Planning, Probate and Trust services to our clients. We understand that estate planning is not just about distributing assets after death. It also involves planning for disability, incapacity, and health concerns for you and your loved ones. Our estate-planning team provides advice and counsel to those clients wanting to plan for their life, death, and the care of loved ones. We thoroughly discuss your questions, concerns, and goals. We then use this information to develop a plan that combines those goals with the laws and rules surrounding your wishes. This may involve powers of attorney, advanced directives, wills, and trusts. We also work with our clients on other methods of preserving and transferring their assets, such as transfer on death deeds and titles.

Probate

Probate is a court action required when an individual dies while owning property that is not passed by way of a beneficiary designation. It can occur with or without a will. 

If the individual has a valid will, the Court’s purpose is to implement and follow the terms of that will, allowing the distribution of assets according to the wishes of the deceased person. If the individual had no will, then the Court will determine heirs, apply the law, and distribute assets in accordance with those findings. Proper estate planning is important to ensure you determine how your assets are distributed upon your passing, instead of leaving that decision to a court.

Trust and Estate Litigation

Trust and Estate Litigation involves a variety of matters including guardianships, will contests, breaches of fiduciary duties, trust modification and reformation, undue influence, and interpretation of intent. We represent those affected by trust and estate litigation, including trustees, executors, guardians, beneficiaries, and wards. Cases involving trusts and estates require special skills and experience in navigating difficult family relationships and emotions regarding death, incapacity, and incomplete or ineffective estate planning.

McDaniel Acord’s attorneys offer experience and expertise in Oklahoma’s laws governing the administration of estates, trusts, guardianships, and other matters. We use a collaborative and analytical approach, combining estate planning, real and personal property laws, and complex civil law and procedure to ensure each matter is handled expertly, efficiently and with compassion.