Frequently Asked Questions

We focus on four core practice areas: Estate Planning, Business Planning, Probate, and Guardianship. This focused approach allows us to provide deep expertise and personalized service in each area.

You can schedule a consultation by calling our office at (713) 769-9300, emailing us at [email protected], or using the contact form on our website. We'll respond within one business day to set up a time that works for you.

For estate planning, bring any existing estate planning documents, a list of your assets and debts, and information about your beneficiaries. For business matters, bring your existing business documents. For probate, bring the death certificate and any will or trust documents. We'll provide a specific checklist when you schedule.

Yes, we offer both in-person and virtual consultations to accommodate your schedule and preferences. Virtual meetings are conducted through a secure video platform.

If you die without a will (intestate), state law determines who inherits your property. This may not align with your wishes, can cause family disputes, and often results in a longer, more expensive probate process.

Yes. Estate planning isn't just about distributing wealth — it's about naming guardians for your children, documenting healthcare wishes, and designating someone to handle your affairs if you're unable to do so. Everyone benefits from having these plans in place.

A will takes effect after death and must go through probate. A trust can take effect during your lifetime, avoids probate, and offers greater privacy and flexibility. Many people benefit from having both.

You should review your plan every 3–5 years or whenever a major life event occurs, such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, a significant change in assets, or a move to a new state.

Often, yes. The state filing creates the entity, but it doesn't give you an operating agreement or a plan for what happens when an owner exits, retires, or passes away. Those are the pieces that actually protect your liability shield and keep the business running through a transition. We fill in the groundwork the online formation left out.

As early as possible. Succession planning isn't just for retirement — it also addresses what happens if an owner becomes incapacitated or passes away unexpectedly. We coordinate it with your estate plan so ownership, control, and value transition the way you intend, protecting both the business and the owner's family.

Absolutely. Even single-member LLCs benefit from an operating agreement. It documents that the LLC is a separate entity — which helps maintain the liability protection an LLC provides — and sets out who takes over the business if something happens to you.

An executor is responsible for locating and securing estate assets, paying debts and taxes, notifying beneficiaries and creditors, filing required court documents, and ultimately distributing assets according to the will.

The timeline varies depending on the complexity of the estate, the probate path, and court schedules. Simple estates may be resolved in 6–9 months, while complex estates can take a year or more.

Yes, in many cases. Proper estate planning — including the use of trusts, beneficiary designations, and joint ownership — can help assets pass outside of probate.

Generally, any competent adult can serve as a guardian. Courts typically prefer family members but will consider other qualified individuals. The court's primary concern is the best interest of the person who needs protection.

The timeline depends on the jurisdiction and circumstances. Emergency or temporary guardianship can often be established quickly, while permanent guardianship typically takes several weeks to a few months.

A power of attorney is a voluntary arrangement where a person grants authority to someone they trust. Guardianship is a court-supervised process used when a person is unable to make or communicate decisions. If a power of attorney is already in place, guardianship may not be necessary.