Murphy has this welcoming, almost tucked-away feeling—a small city with a strong community vibe where families know their neighbors and kids still ride their bikes through the subdivisions. Life here feels intentional. People settle in Murphy because they want a good place to raise their families and build their futures.
But even in a close-knit community, the realities of life come knocking. Sometimes that means the passing of a loved one and the probate process that follows. Other times, it’s the financial stress of debt that pushes people to consider bankruptcy. For many families, it’s also about planning ahead—wills, trusts, guardianship arrangements—so the next generation is protected.
At www.keithwierlaw.com, Keith Wier Law PLLC helps families and individuals in Murphy face these challenges with practical guidance and steady support.
Probate sounds like a straightforward word—just the process of handling someone’s estate after they pass away. But in practice, it can be complicated. Probate in Collin County often means:
Sometimes it’s smooth—especially when there’s a clear will and everyone is on the same page. Other times, emotions run high and disagreements turn into full probate litigation.
I once knew a family that spent over a year in probate because two siblings couldn’t agree on how to handle their mother’s house. It wasn’t really about the property; it was about long-simmering resentments. Having a lawyer step in gave them structure, and eventually resolution, when they couldn’t find it on their own.
Keith Wier Law PLLC helps Murphy families navigate both the straightforward and the messy sides of probate.
Guardianship is one of those legal concepts you don’t think about until it’s suddenly on your plate. Maybe an elderly parent can’t manage finances anymore. Maybe a young adult with special needs turns 18, and you need legal authority to keep helping with healthcare and daily living decisions.
Guardianship cases in Murphy often involve:
Guardianship can be emotional because it means accepting that someone you love can’t fully care for themselves. But it’s also empowering because it gives you the legal authority to protect them.
And yes, disputes can arise. Two siblings might both want to be guardian, or one family member may question another’s ability to manage responsibilities. That’s where guardianship litigation comes in—sorting through competing claims to do what’s best for the person at the center.
If probate is the storm, estate planning is the umbrella. It’s about giving your family a roadmap so they don’t have to figure things out during stressful times.
Estate planning with Keith Wier Law PLLC often includes:
I’ve seen the difference estate planning makes. One Murphy family had everything spelled out: a will, a trust, guardianship designations for their kids. When tragedy struck, probate was quick and uncontested. Compare that with another family who had no plan at all—the confusion, court delays, and arguments dragged on for months. The contrast was unforgettable.
Switching gears—let’s talk about bankruptcy. It’s a tough subject, but sometimes the bravest decision is admitting that debt has become too much. Bankruptcy isn’t about failure—it’s about creating space to breathe again.
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
This is the type many people think of first. It can eliminate unsecured debts like credit cards, medical bills, and personal loans. For Murphy families drowning in debt, Chapter 7 provides a clean slate and immediate relief from creditor harassment.
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
For those with steady income who’ve fallen behind on major obligations like a mortgage, Chapter 13 allows for a structured repayment plan over three to five years. It can stop foreclosure and give you time to catch up.
Bankruptcy can:
I remember talking to a man who filed for Chapter 7 after years of struggling with medical bills. He told me it wasn’t just about the finances—it was about finally being able to sleep at night.
You might not think probate, guardianship, estate planning, and bankruptcy have much in common, but in real life, they often intersect.
Because Keith Wier Law PLLC handles all of these areas, Murphy families don’t have to juggle multiple attorneys to cover overlapping concerns.
Here are a few examples that make these concepts more real:
Most people don’t call a lawyer in Murphy until they’re in the middle of a crisis—probate has already started, the debt collectors are already calling, or the family is already fighting over guardianship. But waiting only makes things harder.
Estate planning, in particular, is something you can do now that saves your family endless stress later. Bankruptcy is something you can consider before you lose your home or exhaust your savings. Guardianship is something you can prepare for rather than scrambling after the fact.
At the end of the day, probate, guardianship, estate planning, and bankruptcy aren’t just legal processes—they’re ways of protecting your family and your future. They bring order to chaos, clarity to uncertainty, and relief when the weight of life feels too heavy.
For families in Murphy, Keith Wier Law PLLC offers guidance through each of these challenges—listening first, then walking step by step through the best legal path forward.