Wills & Estate Planning in Houston
A will isn't for the wealthy — it's for anyone who loves someone. We help you put in writing who raises your children, who keeps your home, and who speaks for you if one day you can't, with documents prepared to meet the requirements of Texas law and explained in plain language.
Your home, your kids, your wishes: put them in writing
If you're an adult living in Houston, you need a will — and if you're a parent of minor children, you need one twice over. Your will is where you name the guardian who would raise your kids if something happened to you, instead of leaving that decision to a judge who has never met your family. Think it doesn't apply to you because you rent or don't own much? Read our guide Do I need a will in Texas? — the answer is almost always yes.
A complete plan goes beyond the will itself. A durable power of attorney names the person who would handle your money and affairs if you became incapacitated; a medical power of attorney and a directive to physicians say who makes health decisions for you and what care you want. And with a transfer-on-death deed (TODD), your home can pass directly to the people you choose without opening a probate case in court.
For many families in the East End, Magnolia Park, Gulfton, and Pasadena, planning also means thinking through immigration scenarios: who cares for the kids and who keeps up the house if a parent is detained or has to leave the country? This isn't about living in fear — it's about having answers ready and in writing. We pair estate planning with our immigration practice so your plan works in real life, whatever your status.
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5 steps to get everything in order
01. Initial conversation
We sit down with you — in English or Spanish — to understand your family, your assets, and what worries you. No jargon, no judgment.
02. Plan design
We recommend only the documents you actually need: a will, powers of attorney, medical directives, and, when it fits, a transfer-on-death deed.
03. Drafting
We prepare each document around your life, with guardians, beneficiaries, and an executor clearly named, and walk you through it line by line before you sign.
04. A valid Texas signing
We coordinate the signing with the witnesses and formalities Texas law requires, so your documents are done right from day one.
05. Reviews as life changes
A divorce, a new baby, a new home: we help you update your plan so it always reflects your current wishes.
Questions about wills in Texas
When someone dies without a will in Texas, the state's intestate succession rules decide who inherits — and the outcome can surprise people, especially in blended families or when property is held by both spouses. Many of those estates end up in the Harris County Probate Courts at 201 Caroline St. in downtown Houston, in proceedings that take longer and cost more than the family expected. We break it down in our guide to the probate process in Harris County.
Do I need a will if I rent or don't own much?
Yes. A will isn't only about dividing property: it's where you name a guardian for your minor children, decide who receives your savings, your car, and your belongings, and choose the trusted person who will handle everything. If you have kids, a will matters even if you don't own a home.
What happens if I die without a will in Texas?
Texas law decides who inherits based on a fixed order of family relationships, without considering your wishes. In families with children from prior relationships or shared property, the result can look very different from what you would have wanted, and your family may face a longer, more expensive court process to sort it all out. Every situation is different, so it's worth reviewing yours with an attorney.
Can I make a will if I'm undocumented or only have an ITIN?
Yes. In Texas you do not need an immigration status or a Social Security number to make a valid will, own a home, or name guardians for your children. In fact, planning matters even more for mixed-status families, because it puts in writing who cares for the kids and what happens to the house if a parent can't be there.
What is a transfer-on-death deed (TODD)?
It's a document recorded with the county that transfers your home directly to the person you choose when you pass away, without opening a probate case in court. While you're alive you remain the full owner: you can sell the home or change your mind at any time, and it can save your family time and money. It isn't right for every situation, so it should be reviewed as part of a complete plan.
When should I update my will?
Review it after any major life change: a marriage or divorce, the birth or adoption of a child, buying a home, the death of a beneficiary or guardian, or a move to another state. As a rule of thumb, it's worth rereading it every few years to confirm it still reflects your wishes.
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