Houston Estate Planning

Houston Estate Planning Lawyers

Protect Your Family, Property & Peace of Mind

Local Texas estate planning attorneys who simplify complex law into clear, practical plans tailored to Houston families, business owners, and professionals. Avoid probate, reduce taxes, and secure your legacy — starting today.

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Attorney Eraka Childs

Planning for the Future Should Bring Peace — Not Confusion

When you think about your family’s future, you want certainty — not confusion. At Houston Texas Estate Planning Law Firm, we help Houston-area individuals and families translate their wishes into legally enforceable plans that protect loved ones, preserve wealth, and prevent costly court battles.

Whether you need a simple will, a complex trust, business succession planning, or probate navigation after a loss, our local team provides clear guidance, practical solutions, and compassionate service.

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Why Local Matters - Texas & Houston Focus

Estate planning is governed by state law, and in Texas there are important rules and deadlines that affect wills, trusts, guardianship, and probate. We specialize exclusively in Texas estate law with deep experience in Harris County, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Galveston, and surrounding areas.

  • We know Texas-specific strategies for avoiding probate and reducing estate taxes.
  • We understand how local courts, clerks, and probate judges operate — which can speed up administration and reduce surprises.
  • We provide practical advice tuned to Houston families: blended families, business owners, property owners, and clients with multi-state assets.

Our Philosophy & Approach

Practical

Focused on what actually protects your family and assets.

Understandable

Free of legal jargon; you’ll know exactly what your documents do.

Custom-Tailored

No cookie-cutter templates; every plan reflects your goals.

Proactive

Designed to prevent future disputes and unnecessary court intervention.

Compassionate

We respect the emotions tied to planning and loss.

Accessible

Always available to guide and answer your questions.

SERVICES - WHAT WE DO

Comprehensive Legal Services by Attorney Eraka Childs

Attorney Childs offers a holistic set of legal services that allow clients to receive comprehensive, end-to-end support under one trusted professional.

Estate Planning & Documents

Create a legally sound roadmap for how you want your assets handled and who will make decisions if you can’t.

We prepare:

  • Last Wills & Testaments
  • Revocable Living Trusts
  • Irrevocable Trusts
  • Pour-over Wills & Trust Funding Guidance
  • Durable Power of Attorney
  • Medical Power of Attorney & Advance Directives
  • Guardianship designations for minor children
  • Digital asset planning

Probate & Estate Administration

We guide executors and families through every step, from filing to distribution.

Probate Services Include:

  • Filing probate petitions in Texas courts
  • Inventory and appraisal of estate assets
  • Creditor notices and claims handling
  • Estate tax and tax return coordination
  • Distribution to beneficiaries and closing the estate

Trust Administration & Fiduciary Support

Trusts can offer privacy and quicker access to assets, but they must be properly administered.

Trust Services Include:

  • Trustee guidance & duties explanation
  • Trust accounting & beneficiary communication
  • Trustee succession planning
  • Modifications and trust funding assistance

Asset Protection & Wealth Preservation

Protect your hard-earned assets from creditors, lawsuits, and unintended consequences.

Services Include:

  • Asset protection strategies
  • Medicaid planning for long-term care
  • Business owner asset protection & succession planning
  • Family limited partnerships & estate transfer tools
  • Risk prevention strategies

Business Succession & Owner Planning

Ensure your business continues to run the way you want after retirement or death.

We help with:

  • Buy-sell agreements
  • Succession planning & governance documents
  • Valuation coordination and tax-aware transfers
  • Family-owned business continuity planning

Legal Consultation & Risk Assessment

Helping you identify potential legal risks and plan proactively for the future.

Consultation Covers:

  • Review of current estate plans and documents
  • Risk assessment for family & business assets
  • Compliance with Texas laws
  • Custom recommendations to prevent disputes
Who We Serve

Who We Serve — Typical Clients

Married Couples & Growing Families

Protecting children, assets, and future generations with clear, enforceable plans.

High-Net-Worth & Multi-Property Owners

Advanced strategies for wealth preservation, tax efficiency, and asset protection.

Small Business Owners & Entrepreneurs

Succession planning, business continuity, and legal safeguards tailored to Houston enterprises.

Blended Families

Customized estate plans that balance fairness, clarity, and protection for every member.

Executors, Trustees & Beneficiaries

Guidance through probate, estate administration, and fiduciary responsibilities.

Seniors & Aging Adults

Long-term care planning, asset preservation, and legacy-focused estate strategies.

Professionals & High-Income Earners

Comprehensive, tailored planning for doctors, attorneys, executives, and specialists.

Philanthropists & Charitable Donors

Structuring charitable giving, foundations, and estate gifts to maximize impact and tax benefits.

Young Adults & First-Time Estate Planners

Helping young professionals start their estate planning journey with simple, effective strategies.

If you want to protect your family and your legacy — we’re here to help.

The Process Section

The Process - Simple, Transparent, & Efficient

1

Step 1 - Free Strategy Call

We begin with a complimentary 20–30 minute call to understand your goals, assets, and timeline.

2

Step 2 - Personalized Plan & Quote

Based on the call, we prepare a tailored plan and a transparent fee proposal, no surprises.

3

Step 3 - Drafting & Review

We draft the documents and walk you through tier-by-tier explanations. You approve every step.

4

Step 4 - Signing, Funding & Implementation

We help you sign, notarize, and fund trusts (transfer titles), and provide a secure copy to your executors/trustees.

5

Step 5 - Ongoing Support & Updates

Life changes, so should your plan. We offer regular review options and updates as needed.

Benefits Section

Benefits - Why Clients Choose Us

Protect Your Loved Ones

We make sure guardians, beneficiaries, and decision-makers are clearly named and legally empowered.

Avoid Costly Probate Delays

Proper trust planning and document drafting can keep assets out of probate, saving time and money.

Reduce Family Conflict

Clear instructions and properly structured plans reduce confusion and limit grounds for disputes.

Preserve Wealth & Tax Efficiency

Strategic planning can minimize estate tax exposure and protect assets for future generations.

Local Expertise

We know Houston courts, local probate processes, and community resources - reducing friction for families.

Compassionate Guidance

We balance legal rigor with empathy - a steady, calm presence during difficult times.

CLIENT STORIES — CASE SUMMARIES

Real Houston Families. Real Results.

Case Summary: Avoiding Probate with a Living Trust

The Smith family owned multiple Houston properties. We created a revocable living trust and guided the family through funding real estate into the trust. After one spouse passed, transfer to beneficiaries occurred without probate, saving months of delay and significant legal fees.

TESTIMONIALS

What Clients Are Saying

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Attorney Childs helped our family through probate. She was clear, compassionate, and efficient.”

— M. & S. Flores

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Professional, local, and practical. They coached us through the entire process.”

— K. Patel

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“We never thought trusts were for us until we met the team. Peace of mind at last.”

— D. Nguyen

FAQ

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Yes. Even young adults benefit from basic documents like a healthcare directive, durable power of attorney, and a simple will. These documents protect you in emergencies and make life easier for your loved ones.

A will directs how assets are distributed and typically goes through probate. A trust, when properly funded, can transfer assets outside probate, provide privacy, and often speed up distribution.

State laws vary. Basic documents may still be effective, but if you relocate, we recommend a review to ensure everything complies with your new state’s law.

Timing varies by estate complexity and court schedules, but many probates take several months. Proper planning can avoid probate altogether, which greatly reduces time and cost.

Yes, modern planning includes digital asset instructions, login storage options, and transfer guidance.

Blended families require careful, customized planning to balance fairness with your wishes. We design plans that minimize conflict and clearly state your intentions.

Absolutely. We regularly coordinate with financial professionals, accountants, and fiduciaries to ensure holistic planning.

RESOURCES & LEAD MAGNETS

Free Tools, Guides & Education for Houston Families

Free Download:

“Houston Estate Planning Checklist — What Every Family Needs”

This free guide helps you gather documents, understand priorities, and prepare for your consultation.

Seminars & Workshops

We host regular community workshops on estate planning, probate basics, and business succession for Houston residents. Sign up for upcoming dates.

Blog & Articles

Regular posts on topics like “How to Avoid Probate in Texas,” “Choosing a Guardian in Houston,” and “Estate Planning for Small Business Owners.”

TRUST SIGNALS & CREDIBILITY

  • Licensed Texas attorneys with focused estate planning experience
  • Local Houston office and virtual appointments available
  • Member — local bar associations and estate planning councils (insert organizations)
  • Featured in community seminars and local business forums
  • Secure client portal for document storage and sharing

TAKE THE NEXT STEP

Protect your family and your legacy today.

Book a free strategy call to get a clear plan and next steps tailored to your situation.