Estate planning is about more than documents—it’s about protecting the people and assets you care about most. A well-designed estate plan ensures your wishes are followed, minimizes taxes and legal complications for your family, and provides for your loved ones if something happens to you.
At The Talley Law Firm, we help individuals and families throughout the Greater Houston area create estate plans that actually work. Whether you need a straightforward will, a comprehensive trust-based plan, or guidance through probate after losing a loved one, we provide clear advice tailored to your specific situation and goals.
Ready to protect your family? Schedule a consultation to discuss your estate planning goals and get practical guidance for your next steps.
Our Estate Planning Services
We help individuals, couples, parents, and business owners throughout the Greater Houston area plan for the future and protect what matters most.
Wills
The foundation of any estate plan. A properly drafted will ensures your assets go where you want them, names guardians for minor children, and appoints an executor to handle your estate.
Powers of Attorney
Essential documents that authorize someone you trust to handle financial and medical decisions if you become incapacitated. Without these, your family may need court intervention to help you.
Revocable Living Trusts
Avoid probate and maintain privacy with a trust-based estate plan. Living trusts also provide seamless management of your assets if you become incapacitated and flexibility to modify as circumstances change.
Probate
Guidance through the probate process after losing a loved one. Will probate, intestate administration, independent and dependent administration, and resolving estate disputes.
Planning for Minor Children
Protecting your children if something happens to you. Guardian nominations, trusts for minors, age-appropriate distribution planning, and ensuring your children are cared for by people you choose.
Business Owner Estate Planning
Coordinating your estate plan with business succession. Transferring ownership interests, buy-sell agreement integration, key person planning, and minimizing estate taxes on business assets.
Why Choose The Talley Law Firm for Estate Planning?
Personalized approach. Estate planning isn’t one-size-fits-all. We take time to understand your family situation, assets, concerns, and goals before recommending a plan. Whether you need a simple will or a comprehensive trust-based strategy, you get a plan designed for your specific circumstances.
Business owner perspective. If you own a business, your estate plan needs to address succession, ownership transfer, and coordination with business agreements. Our experience with business law means we can integrate your estate plan with your overall business strategy.
Clear explanations. Estate planning involves legal concepts that can be confusing. We explain your options in plain language, help you understand the tradeoffs, and make sure you’re comfortable with your decisions before signing anything.
Ongoing relationship. Life changes—marriages, divorces, births, deaths, moves, and major purchases can all affect your estate plan. We’re here to review and update your documents as your circumstances evolve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need an estate plan?
If you own anything, have any financial accounts, or have people who depend on you, you need at least a basic estate plan. Without one, Texas law decides who gets your assets, courts decide who raises your children, and your family may face unnecessary legal proceedings and expenses. Even a simple will and powers of attorney provide significant protection.
What’s the difference between a will and a trust?
A will takes effect at death and goes through probate—a court-supervised process that’s public and can take months. A revocable living trust takes effect immediately, avoids probate for assets held in the trust, remains private, and provides for management of your assets if you become incapacitated. Trusts involve more upfront work and cost but offer significant benefits for many families.
When should I update my estate plan?
Review your estate plan after major life events: marriage, divorce, birth of children or grandchildren, death of a beneficiary or named fiduciary, significant changes in assets, moving to a new state, or changes in tax laws. Even without major changes, a review every 3-5 years ensures your plan still reflects your wishes and takes advantage of current planning opportunities.
What happens if I die without a will in Texas?
Texas intestacy laws determine who inherits your property based on family relationships. The results often surprise people—for example, if you’re married with children from a prior relationship, your spouse doesn’t automatically get everything. The court appoints an administrator (who may not be who you’d choose), and the process is more expensive and time-consuming than probating a will.
Do I need a lawyer for estate planning?
Online forms exist, but estate planning involves legal and tax issues that vary by state and individual situation. A poorly drafted will can be worse than no will at all—ambiguous language causes family disputes, missing formalities can invalidate the document, and generic forms don’t address your specific circumstances. Professional guidance ensures your plan actually works.
How much does estate planning cost?
Costs depend on complexity. A basic will package with powers of attorney is typically a flat fee. Trust-based plans involve more documents and planning, so they cost more. We provide clear pricing upfront so you can make an informed decision. Consider the cost against the potential savings in probate fees, taxes, and family conflict that good planning prevents.
Ready to Protect Your Family’s Future?
Every family’s situation is different. Schedule a consultation to discuss your estate planning goals and get practical guidance for protecting what matters most.
This page provides general information about estate planning in Texas and is not legal advice. Every situation is different, and the information here may not apply to your specific circumstances. For advice about your situation, please schedule a consultation.