Life in The Colony has its own rhythm. With Lake Lewisville right next door and family-friendly neighborhoods popping up all over, it’s a place where people are building futures while enjoying the present. But along with all the excitement of growth, there are the inevitable legal questions that come with family life, aging parents, or the passing of loved ones.
Probate, guardianship, and estate planning aren’t exactly dinner table topics, but they matter deeply when those moments arrive. At www.keithwierlaw.com, Keith Wier Law PLLC helps families in The Colony navigate the tricky mix of probate litigation, guardianship cases, and estate planning decisions. The goal? To make overwhelming situations feel manageable and to protect what matters most.
Probate is one of those processes that sounds simple until you’re in the middle of it. When someone dies, their estate—everything from property and bank accounts to debts and personal belongings—often has to go through probate. The Collin and Denton County courts oversee the process, making sure the will (if there is one) is valid and debts get paid before assets are distributed.
In The Colony, families going through probate often deal with questions like:
Keith Wier Law PLLC helps guide families through these steps, whether probate is straightforward or full of disputes.
Sometimes probate isn’t smooth sailing. Emotions run high after a loss, and disagreements can flare up quickly. Maybe one sibling thinks the will was influenced unfairly. Maybe someone questions whether the executor is doing their job. Maybe there was no will at all, leaving everyone frustrated about “what Mom or Dad would have wanted.”
Probate litigation can involve:
It’s never easy when families find themselves in court, but having a lawyer who can balance compassion with firm legal strategy can help keep things from spiraling out of control.
Guardianship may not be something people in The Colony think about until they’re faced with it. But it’s an important tool for protecting family members who can’t make decisions for themselves.
There are different situations where guardianship becomes necessary:
I once heard someone describe guardianship as both “heartbreaking and necessary.” It’s tough emotionally because it involves acknowledging that a loved one can’t fully care for themselves. But it’s powerful because it gives you the legal ability to protect and support them.
Keith Wier Law PLLC assists families with establishing guardianship and handling disputes when family members disagree about who should be appointed.
Guardianship cases can become contested. Maybe two siblings disagree about who should care for their parent. Maybe one family member believes another isn’t managing things properly. These disputes can get emotional fast, because they’re not just about money—they’re about relationships, trust, and responsibility.
Guardianship litigation often involves:
Resolving these cases takes careful legal handling, especially when family bonds are already strained.
The best way to make probate and guardianship easier on your family is to plan ahead. Estate planning isn’t just about wills and trusts—it’s about creating a roadmap so your family isn’t left scrambling when the unexpected happens.
Estate planning services through Keith Wier Law PLLC include:
In The Colony, where families are juggling work, kids, and busy lives, estate planning is one of those things people put off. But when it’s in place, it truly feels like a gift to the family left behind.
What makes probate, guardianship, and estate planning so connected is that they all deal with transitions—times when families are at their most vulnerable. An estate plan can simplify probate. Clear planning can reduce the need for contested guardianship cases. And when disputes arise anyway, probate or guardianship litigation ensures there’s a way forward.
Keith Wier Law PLLC understands how these areas intersect, which means families in The Colony can count on guidance that looks at the big picture.
Legal language can make these processes sound cold, but at the heart of probate and guardianship are people—families trying to do their best under stressful circumstances.
I think about a story a client once shared: her father never created a will, assuming the family would “figure it out.” Instead, probate turned into months of back-and-forth in court, and the stress nearly broke her relationship with her siblings. She told me later that she wished they had just sat down with a lawyer years earlier to put basic documents in place.
On the flip side, another family had a complete estate plan—wills, powers of attorney, even a trust. When the father passed away, probate was quick, and there were no fights. Instead of arguing, the family was able to focus on remembering him.
Those stories stick with you because they show just how much these legal steps affect real lives.
Here’s the thing: none of us really want to think about probate, guardianship, or estate planning until life forces us to. But waiting only makes things harder. A little preparation now—whether it’s drafting a will, setting up a trust, or talking through guardianship options—can save your family time, stress, and sometimes years of conflict.
In The Colony, where families are busy with careers, kids, and community life, it’s tempting to put these decisions off. But I’ve seen firsthand how much smoother things go when people plan ahead.
Probate, guardianship, and estate planning may not be fun topics, but they’re about one thing: protecting your family. Whether you’re dealing with a recent loss, trying to help a parent who needs extra care, or planning your own estate for the future, the right guidance makes the process less overwhelming.
Keith Wier Law PLLC is here to provide that guidance for families in The Colony—helping navigate probate, resolving guardianship disputes, and creating estate plans that give families peace of mind for years to come.