Cortes Law Firm

Cortes Law Firm Estate planning is for everyone, not just the wealthy or the aging.Estate planning is about making certain YOUR wishes are follwed.

The Cortes Law Firm strives to provide the highest level of legal services in the areas of Estate Planning, Probate, Small Business Formation & Advise, and Charitable Giving.

We are proud to participate in Pack the Park Pink with the Oklahoma City Comets 🩷⚾️Pack the Park Pink is an annual promo...
08/31/2026

We are proud to participate in Pack the Park Pink with the Oklahoma City Comets 🩷⚾️

Pack the Park Pink is an annual promotion dedicated to raising awareness and showing support in the fight against breast cancer. Thank you to everyone who joined us.

We’re so grateful for the clients, friends, and referral partners who continue to trust and support our firm. It was suc...
08/31/2026

We’re so grateful for the clients, friends, and referral partners who continue to trust and support our firm. It was such a fun night getting to step away from the office, enjoy a great game, and spend time with so many of you! Oklahoma City Comets ⚾️🌭

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08/21/2026

Thanks for leaving us a Review.

Many Oklahoma families assume that having a signed will keeps their estate out of probate court. This is one of the most...
08/18/2026

Many Oklahoma families assume that having a signed will keeps their estate out of probate court. This is one of the most common misconceptions in estate planning, and it can have real consequences for the people you leave behind.
A will does not avoid probate. It tells the court who should receive your property and names an executor — but the court still must validate it before your executor has any legal authority to act. If you own assets titled in your name alone, probate is likely required, regardless of what your will says.
The good news is that with thoughtful planning, probate can often be avoided. Tools such as a revocable living trust, a transfer-on-death deed for Oklahoma real estate, and payable-on-death designations on bank accounts are designed to transfer assets outside of the court process.
Contact Cortes Law Firm to schedule a consultation and learn what approach makes sense for your family.
This information is general and is not legal advice.

Many Oklahoma families assume that having a will means their estate will pass to loved ones quickly and easily. In reali...
08/16/2026

Many Oklahoma families assume that having a will means their estate will pass to loved ones quickly and easily. In reality, a will must go through the probate court process in Oklahoma before any assets can be distributed.

Probate can take several months and may involve court hearings, published creditor notices, and legal costs. The will itself only instructs the court on how to distribute assets — it does not bypass the process.

Certain strategies, such as a revocable living trust with proper funding, transfer-on-death designations, and named beneficiaries, can reduce or avoid probate for many assets. Understanding the difference is one of the most important parts of creating a plan that actually works for your family.

Cortes Law Firm helps Oklahoma City families build estate plans designed to protect what matters most. Contact our office at 405-213-0856 to schedule a consultation.

This information is general and is not legal advice.

Most parents spend more time choosing a pediatrician than deciding who would raise their children if both parents were g...
08/11/2026

Most parents spend more time choosing a pediatrician than deciding who would raise their children if both parents were gone. It's a hard conversation — but one of the most important ones you can have.

In Oklahoma, your will is where you nominate a guardian for your minor children. That nomination guides the court and makes your wishes clear. Without one, a judge decides who raises your children — and that decision may not be what you would have wanted.

A guardian nomination lets you think carefully about who shares your values, who has the capacity to parent, and who your children already know and trust. You can also name a backup in case your first choice can't serve when the time comes.

Your estate plan can go further — it can include guidance on how you want your children raised, your wishes around education and religion, and how any inherited money should be used for them.

No parent wants to think about worst-case scenarios. But having a plan in place is one of the most loving things you can do — because it means someone you chose will be there for your children, no matter what.

Many Oklahoma families have a will or a revocable trust — but overlook one of the most consequential documents in their ...
08/10/2026

Many Oklahoma families have a will or a revocable trust — but overlook one of the most consequential documents in their estate plan: the beneficiary designation form.

Retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and payable-on-death bank accounts do not pass through your will. They transfer directly to whoever is named on the designation form, regardless of what your will or trust says.

That matters when life changes. A divorce, the birth of a child, or the death of a named beneficiary can leave assets in the wrong hands — or require a costly trip through probate court.

Cortes Law Firm helps Oklahoma City families coordinate their beneficiary designations with their overall estate plan so every piece works together.

Visit corteslawfirm.com/estateplanning/ to learn more or to schedule a consultation with our team.

This information is general and is not legal advice.

When someone is named as a personal representative in an Oklahoma probate, the responsibility can feel unexpected and ov...
08/09/2026

When someone is named as a personal representative in an Oklahoma probate, the responsibility can feel unexpected and overwhelming. A personal representative — sometimes called an executor or administrator — is the person appointed by the court to manage a deceased person's estate through the probate process.

In Oklahoma, this role carries real legal duties. The personal representative must notify heirs and creditors, publish the required notice, identify and secure estate assets, pay valid debts and expenses, and distribute what remains to the beneficiaries according to the will or Oklahoma law.

These responsibilities come with court deadlines and fiduciary obligations. Mistakes or delays in the process can create personal liability for the person serving in this role.

If you have been named a personal representative, or if you are managing an estate and are not sure where to begin, Cortes Law Firm can help. Contact our Oklahoma City office to discuss your next steps.

https://corteslawfirm.com/probate-attorney-oklahoma-city/

This information is general and is not legal advice.

Summer is winding down in Oklahoma City. School schedules shift, routines change, and family priorities come back into f...
08/08/2026

Summer is winding down in Oklahoma City. School schedules shift, routines change, and family priorities come back into focus. For many families, that makes August an ideal time to ask an important question: does your estate plan still reflect what matters most to you?

An estate plan is not a one-time task. Life changes — marriages, births, a home purchase, or aging parents — can all affect whether your documents are doing the job you need them to do. A will, a revocable living trust, a power of attorney, and an advance directive each serve a distinct purpose in protecting your family.

Attorney Stephen Cortes and the team at Cortes Law Firm help Oklahoma City families build plans that work. Contact our office to schedule a consultation.

https://corteslawfirm.com/estateplanning/

This information is general and is not legal advice.

Address

5801 Broadway Extension Hwy, Suite 110
Oklahoma City, OK
73118

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Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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