Duffley Law helps Texas families prepare for the future with clear, reliable estate planning. Whether you need a will, a living trust, guidance through probate, or powers of attorney, our goal is to make sure your loved ones are protected and your wishes are honored under Texas law.
According to Caring.com’s 2025 survey, fewer than one in three Americans have an estate plan, yet the families who prepare avoid many of the most stressful parts of probate.
Understanding Estate Planning in Texas
Estate planning is the process of deciding who will manage your property, finances, and medical wishes if you pass away or become incapacitated. In Texas, families frequently use living trusts, transfer-on-death deeds, and powers of attorney to avoid the delays and costs of county probate courts across the state.
Without a plan in place, Texas intestacy laws determine who inherits your assets. That can leave homes, ranch land, or family businesses tied up in probate for months or even years while relatives wait for court approval to sell, transfer, or live in the property.
Probate can quickly become public, costly, and emotionally painful without a plan. According to Caring.com’s 2025 Wills Survey, only about 24% of Americans have a will and just 13% have a living trust, leaving most families unprepared.
Effective estate planning matters in Texas because it:
- Keeps heirs out of court through trusts and non-probate transfers
- Protects high-value homes, ranches, and family property from delays or disputes
- Reduces conflict among relatives by making wishes legally clear
- Provides peace of mind that decisions are made privately, not by the state
Our Estate Planning Services in Texas
Our estate planning services include:
- Wills and Living Wills
- Asset Protection Strategies
- Guardianship Planning
- Probate Avoidance Planning
- Business Succession Planning
- Charitable Giving Plans
Why Choose Duffley Law for Your Estate Plan
At Duffley Law, estate planning is designed around your life, not the other way around. Texas families choose us because we combine thoughtful planning with approachable service.
What sets us apart:
- Flat-fee pricing wherever applicable.
- Free consultations to help you decide what’s right for your situation.
- High-touch, personalized service, we don’t skip the details.
- Kindness, respect, and clear communication at every step.
- Flexible payments through LawPay, including buy now, pay later options.
- Built-in review meeting to walk through your documents before signing.
Benefits of Estate Planning in Texas
Key benefits include:
- Avoiding Probate Court: Probate court often requires months of filings, hearings, and fees. An effective trust plan or beneficiary deed can help families bypass that process entirely.
- Protecting High-Value Property: In neighborhoods like River Oaks and Memorial, homes are often worth millions. Proper planning makes sure these properties transfer smoothly to heirs without disputes.
- Protecting Special Needs and Blended Families: Customized trusts and other plan documents can make sure children, stepchildren, or a dependent adult are cared for without losing benefits.
- Keeping Decisions Private: Probate is public record, but trusts and powers of attorney keep many sensitive family matters confidential.
- Reducing Family Conflict: According to GrowLaw’s 2025 research, 35% of adults report disputes among relatives when no plan was in place.
Our Estate Planning Process in Texas
At Duffley Law, we make estate planning straightforward by guiding you through each step:
- Initial Consultation. We listen to your goals and review options under Texas law.
- Information Gathering. You’ll provide details about your family, property, and financial accounts so we can build a complete picture.
- Custom Planning. We design wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and other tools tailored to your needs, which might include avoiding probate, protecting a home or ranch, or planning for a blended family.
- Draft Review. Before anything is signed, we walk through your draft documents with you in detail to confirm accuracy and consistency with your goals.
- Signing & Execution. We guide you through proper signing and document execution so your documents are legally valid in Texas.
Who Needs Estate Planning in Texas
Every adult in Texas can benefit from some form of estate planning, not just the wealthy. Though the need might be especially urgent if you fall into any of these groups:
- Homeowners: If you own a house in Texas, a will or trust can prevent delays in transfer.
- Parents of Minor Children: Guardianship designations can make sure your children are raised by the people you choose.
- Families With Special Circumstances: Blended families, business owners, and those with special needs dependents may require more customized planning.
- Older Adults and Retirees: Powers of attorney and advance directives protect against guardianship proceedings if you become incapacitated.
- People with Privacy Concerns: Sudden deaths of well-known Texans have shown how probate can expose personal details. Planning preserves privacy and dignity.
Estate planning is less about wealth and more about making sure your wishes guide what happens next.
Local Resources That Shape Estate Planning in Texas
We regularly work with:
- Harris County Probate Court, Houston
- Fort Bend County Probate Court
- Montgomery County Probate Court
- Brazoria County Probate Court
- Liberty County Probate Court
- Galveston County Probate Court
- Houston Methodist Hospital System
- Texas Health and Human Services
- Meals on Wheels Texas
- Catholic Charities of Texas
- State Bar of Texas – Real Estate, Probate & Trust Law Section
- Houston Bar Association
Ready to Start Your Estate Plan?
Estate planning doesn’t have to be overwhelming, and you don’t have to figure it out alone. At Duffley Law, we walk you through every step as we help to build a plan that reflects what matters most to you.
We’re here to help. Schedule your free consultation today and take the first step toward clarity and peace of mind.