About Our Firm
Our Story
The law office of Roland Echavarria, P.C. has provided trusted legal services in estate planning, probate and trust law since its founding in 1997. Based in San Antonio, our firm is dedicated to helping families and individuals navigate complex legal matters with clarity and confidence.
Roland Echavarria, the firm’s principal, is board-certified in Estate Planning and Probate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. A San Antonio native, Roland earned both his Bachelor of Arts and law degrees from the University of Texas at Austin. After law school, he returned to his hometown, where he continues to provide experienced and personalized counsel to clients with legal needs in the area of estate planning and probate law.
Our Mission
At the law office of Roland Echavarria, P.C., we empower individuals and families to protect their legacies with confidence. Our mission is to provide compassionate, comprehensive and strategic estate planning, probate and trust law services, ensuring that your wishes are honored and that your loved ones are supported. With extensive experience and a client-centered approach, we provide knowledgeable guidance to help you navigate complex legal matters, empowering you to plan for the future with certitude and peace of mind.
Why us?
EXPERIENCE
DILIGENCE
PASSION
Based in San Antonio, our firm is committed to providing professional and compassionate legal guidance to clients throughout South and Central Texas. Our practice is exclusively focused in the areas of estate planning and probate law, ensuring that individuals and families receive the specialized expertise necessary to navigate their critical legal matters with confidence.
We don't aspire to provide a universe of legal services to everyone with a legal need. Instead, we do a few things and we do them well. For clients with legal needs in the areas of wills, trusts, estate planning and probate law, we offer a full range of uniquely focused legal services, an understanding of the law grounded in years of experience, and a thoughtful, client-centered approach to problem solving.
Trust our firm for steadfast dedication, proven expertise, and a personalized approach to estate planning. We craft tailored solutions to protect your legacy and ensure your wishes are honored. Beyond comprehensive estate planning, we provide skilled guidance in probate matters, helping clients navigate estate administration with clarity and confidence
Personalized Service
Tailored Solutions
We deliver personalized strategies to address your unique estate planning and probate needs, ensuring that your wishes are carried out smoothly, effectively, and with the utmost care.
Expert Guidance
Professional Expertise
Our firm offers trusted legal counsel in estate planning and probate matters, providing the clarity, security, and peace of mind you and your loved ones deserve.
Proven Experience
Results Driven
Entrust us with your estate planning and probate needs and gain peace of mind knowing that your family’s financial future is protected. We can assist you in maximizing asset preservation, minimizing tax burdens, and ensuring the future security of your loved ones.
FAQ-Probate
1. What is probate, and why is it necessary?
Probate is the legal process of administering a deceased person's estate, including validating his Will, settling debts, and distributing assets according to the Will or Texas law. It provides a formal transfer of ownership and resolves any disputes that may arise.
2. How long does the probate process take in Texas?
The duration of probate varies depending on the complexity of the estate, potential disputes, and court proceedings. Typically, it can take several months to over a year.
3. Do all estates go through probate?
Not necessarily. Certain assets, such as those held in trusts, survivorship accounts, transfer-on-death accounts, and property payable to designated beneficiaries (such as life insurance), may bypass probate. A probate attorney can help determine whether probate is required in your specific situation.
4. What happens if someone dies without a Will in Texas?
If a Texas resident dies without a Will ("intestate"), Texas law determines how his assets will be distributed, giving priority to the nearest of kin. The decedent's heirs—those entitled to inherit—are typically the surviving spouse and children. If there are none, the property may pass to grandchildren, parents, siblings, or more distant relatives.
5. What is the role of an executor in Texas probate?
An executor is the person responsible for carrying out the directions in the Will and managing the probate process, including paying debts, distributing assets, and ensuring all legal requirements are met.
6. How can a probate attorney help me?
A probate attorney provides legal guidance throughout the process, helping with court filings, asset distribution, creditor claims, and resolving disputes. They ensure the estate is handled efficiently and according to Texas law.
7. Can probate be avoided?
Yes, probate can often be avoided through estate planning tools such as living trusts, beneficiary designations, and joint ownership of assets. Consulting an estate planning attorney can help you explore probate-avoidance strategies.
8. What are the costs associated with probate in Texas?
Probate costs vary based on factors like court fees, attorney fees, and the complexity of the estate. Some probate proceedings may be more affordable than others, such as small estate affidavits or independent administration.
9. What is independent administration versus dependent administration?
Independent administration allows an executor to manage the estate with minimal court supervision, reducing time and costs. Dependent administration requires court approval for many actions, making it a lengthier and more expensive process.
10. How do I get started with the probate process?
To begin probate, the executor or an interested party must file an application with the court. Consulting a probate attorney early on can help navigate the necessary steps and avoid potential complications.
11. My spouse recently passed away. What should I do next?
Losing a loved one is difficult, and navigating the legal and financial details in the days and weeks following can feel overwhelming. As you’re able, start organizing essential documents:
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Locate the Will and keep it safe until it’s time to present it to the probate court. DO NOT REMOVE STAPLES from the original Will.
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Request death certificates. You’ll need them to collect assets such as life insurance, bank accounts, brokerage accounts, employee benefits and retirement funds. You can ask the funeral home to assist in obtaining death certificates.
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Gather property records, including deeds and titles to any assets that your spouse owned.
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Go through the mail. Review bills and financial records to identify creditors and determine outstanding obligations.
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Buy a notebook. Write things down (phone numbers, account numbers, names of bankers, employee benefits staff, insurance agents, conversation details, etc.). There's much to keep track of. Stay as organized as you can.
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Consult a qualified probate attorney to guide you through the legal process, ensure compliance with Texas probate laws, and help protect your interests during estate administration.
FAQ-Estate Planning
1. What is estate planning, and why is it important?
Estate planning is a deliberate process of organizing your financial and personal affairs to ensure that your wishes are honored in the event of your death or incapacitation. It involves carefully considering how your assets will be distributed, who will manage legal and financial responsibilities, and how to minimize tax burdens and potential conflicts. A well-crafted estate plan provides security for your loved ones, prevents uncertainty, and preserves your legacy with clarity and intention. Taking the time to thoughtfully plan allows you to shape the future with confidence and peace of mind.
2. What documents might be part of an estate plan?
Key estate planning documents could include the following:
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Last Will and Testament – Directs the distribution of your assets after your death and appoints an executor to manage your estate.
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Durable Power of Attorney – Grants authority to a designated person to handle financial decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated.
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Medical Power of Attorney – Appoints someone to make healthcare decisions for you if you cannot make them yourself.
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Directive to Physicians (Living Will) – Specifies your medical treatment preferences regarding life-sustaining measures.
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Revocable Living Trust – While Texas has a simplified probate process, a trust can still be useful for avoiding probate, maintaining privacy, and managing assets for beneficiaries.
3. Do I need an estate plan?
Anyone who owns assets or has loved ones they want to provide for should have an estate plan. While it's often associated with wealthy individuals, estate planning is important for everyone—whether you have property, savings, children, or specific healthcare preferences.
4. What happens if I don’t have an estate plan?
The legal and financial implications of not having an estate plan can impact you during your lifetime and affect your loved ones after your passing.
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During Your Lifetime: If you become incapacitated due to illness or injury, the absence of a healthcare directive or a power of attorney means that decisions about your medical treatment and finances may be made by a court-appointed guardian rather than someone you have chosen. This process can be time-consuming, expensive, and may not align with your wishes.
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After Your Death: Without a Will or other estate planning tools in place, state laws will dictate how your assets are distributed through probate. This can lead to delays, higher costs, and potential disputes among family members. Additionally, the distribution may not reflect your personal wishes, potentially leaving loved ones without the support you intended to provide.
5. How often should I update my estate plan?
To keep your estate plan relevant and effective, it's wise to review it regularly, especially after significant life events, such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, the death of a beneficiary, or significant changes in financial circumstances. Keeping your estate plan current ensures it accurately reflects your wishes.
6. How can an estate planning attorney help me?
A board-certified estate planning attorney offers expert legal guidance and can assist you in crafting a legally sound, customized estate plan. The estate planning attorney's expertise ensures that your assets are protected, your wishes are clearly documented, and your estate plan is thoughtfully tailored to your unique circumstances.
The person depicted in this photograph is not an attorney.
