Planning your legacy should bring peace of mind, not confusion. At Duffley Law, we help Houston families protect their assets with wills, trusts, and probate guidance that are clear, personal, and built for Texas law. In Harris County alone, probate courts see thousands of cases each year, a process that can stretch on for months when no plan is in place. By creating living trusts, tailored wills, and efficient probate strategies, we help you keep your family out of court, in control, and focused on what matters most.
Why Houston Chooses Duffley Law
Planning your legacy should feel reassuring, not confusing. Houston families turn to Duffley Law because we make the process clear and tailored to their goals.
- Flat-fee pricing, no surprises
We try to offer flat fees whenever we can, providing certainty for our clients. - Living trust and irrevocable trust plans that sidestep probate
Our custom trusts are built to keep your beneficiaries out of court and in control. - Kind, responsive counsel
Reviewers note we “always answered the phone” and “held our hand through the process,” proof that real people, not a phone maze, pick up when you call. - Documents tailored to your life
We draft all plan clauses so they are geared towards your personal goals and wishes. - Flexible payment plans
Spread the cost over time with buy-now-pay-later options that protect your budget (via LawPay).
These differences set us apart from other Houston estate planning and probate attorneys and give you a clear path to protect everything you have worked for.
Legal Services We Provide in Houston
Estate Planning
An effective plan keeps your family out of court and in control. As a flat-fee estate planning lawyer, we draft wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, powers of attorney, and transfer-on-death deeds, among other important estate planning tools. Every clause is tailored for Texas law with your goals in mind.
Probate and Estate Administration
When a loved one passes, timely action matters. Our probate attorneys handle filings in Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, and surrounding counties. We guide executors and administrators through each deadline, and help our clients get and maintain control over the estates’ assets.
Foreclosure Surplus Recovery
If your home was auctioned for more than what you owed, that extra money is often yours for the taking. We recover surplus funds on a flat fee, never a percentage, so you won’t pay more even if we recover more than you expected.
Our Core Service Areas
- Estate Planning
- Wills
- Trusts
- Probate
- Letters Testamentary
- Muniment of Title
- Probate Without a Will (heirship proceedings)
- Small Estate Affidavits
- Real Estate
- Foreclosure Surplus
Client Success Stories
Real words from real Houstonians show how we continue to make a difference in our clients’ lives:
- Peace during probate
“Held our hand through probate and answered every late-night email.” — Pastor JR M. - Clarity that calms
“Made everything easy to understand and gave me confidence every step of the way.” — Mathis O. - Money back in your pocket
“Saved me $$$ on a dispute and never padded the bill.” — Mike B. - Effective counsel
“In the end, it resulted in a quick agreement in my favor.” — Tory H. - Special-needs trust done right
“He made sure our adult child was protected without losing benefits.” — Gi G.
Each story shows the same promise: clear advice and efforts that let families move forward with peace of mind.
Serving Greater Houston and Nearby Communities
Estate planning and probate does not stop at the city limits, so neither do we. Duffley Law works with clients across the metro, from high-rise condos inside Loop 610 to farmsteads beyond the Beltway. Here’s a list of areas we proudly service:
Inner Loop
- Montrose
- Heights
- River Oaks
- West University
- Midtown
North and Northwest
- Spring
- Cypress
- Jersey Village
- Tomball
- The Woodlands
West and Southwest
- Katy
- Memorial
- Bellaire
- Sugar Land
- Richmond
- Fulshear
South and Bay Area
- Pearland
- Friendswood
- Clear Lake
- League City
- Webster
East Corridor
- Pasadena
- Baytown
- La Porte
- Deer Park
- Channelview
Local Courts and Resources We Work With
Paperwork should move forward, not sit in a stack. That happens when you know exactly where to file and who to contact.
- Harris County Probate Courts
We handle petitions, schedule hearings, and keep cases on the docket. - Fort Bend and Montgomery Probate Courts
Suburban estates get the same help as those in the downtown area. - Houston Bar Association: Probate & Trusts Section
Membership keeps our team current on rule changes that could affect your plan. - Texas Secretary of State Filings
LLCs, business entities, and other transactions are filed quickly to lock in your wishes. - County Clerk Real-Property Records
Accurate recording of deeds and other documents protects your home, rental, or land from future title disputes.
With Duffley Law, we know where to go and where to file to keep things moving along in line with our clients’ goals.
Our Proven Process
Everything moves in a straight line, so you know exactly where you stand and what it costs.
- Free consultation and needs check
We listen, you tell us your goals. By the end of the call, you will know your options and the pricing for each (we try to offer a flat fee whenever possible). - Engagement letter
The scope and price are established before any work begins to try to avoid any surprises. - Strategy session and drafting
We gather the right details, then write custom wills, trusts, or probate pleadings. - Line-by-line review meeting
We walk through every clause with us until it feels right and aligns with your goals. - Executing Documents
We finalize documents for signing and filing if applicable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a living trust help my family avoid probate in Texas?
A properly funded revocable living trust moves property to your beneficiaries without the delays and costs of probate court. A judge should not need to approve anything, so your heirs can act right away.
Do your flat fees cover filing costs and court expenses?
Our engagement letters will always specify the exact items covered in a flat fee. Flat fees typically include all drafting, attorney time, and revisions prior to signing. Government filing fees and third-party recording costs are passed through at cost with receipts, never marked up.
Do you handle estates outside Houston?
Absolutely. Whenever possible, we assist families anywhere in Texas via secure video, phone, and electronic filing, while still offering in-person meetings in the Houston office if preferred.
Meet The Founding Attorney: Jack Duffley
Jack Duffley founded our firm with a mix of real-estate know-how and family-first values that Houston clients appreciate. He is:
- Founder of Duffley Law, licensed in Texas and Illinois
- Focused on estate planning and probate, always aiming to keep families out of court and assets in the right hands.
- Former commercial real-estate lawyer, agent, and property manager, bringing practical insight to every deed, trust, or property transfer.
- Published author and speaker on real estate strategy, including a law-review article and the book “The One Property Retirement.”
- Committed Houston transplant, who moved from Chicago with his wife and quickly rooted himself in the local community. They welcomed their first born son not long after moving to Houston!
Clients describe Jack as “kind,” “thorough,” and “always easy to reach,” a track record that backs up the firm’s promise of clear and responsive service.
Ready to Protect Your Legacy?
Your next step is simple:
- Call 832-360-1254 and speak with a Houston estate planning and probate attorney today.
- Book a free consultation online, pick a time that fits your schedule, and we’ll handle the rest.
That’s all it takes to start a plan that keeps your family out of probate, guards every asset, and delivers the peace of mind Houston families deserve.