Estate planning is one of the most important things you can do for your family — and one of the most postponed. A proper estate plan ensures your assets go to the right people, your wishes are honored if you’re incapacitated, and your loved ones avoid costly, time-consuming probate court. Texas Legal Giants helps Houston families build estate plans that actually work.
Attorney BJ Kemp guides clients through every step of the estate planning process, from basic wills and powers of attorney to complex trust structures and probate administration. Whether you need a simple will or a comprehensive plan covering trusts, directives, and guardianship provisions, Texas Legal Giants has the experience to protect your family. Your consultation is free and confidential.
Our Estate Planning Services
Why Houston Families Choose Texas Legal Giants for Estate Planning
Attorney BJ Kemp — Not a Paralegal or Template
Every estate plan is reviewed and drafted by Attorney BJ Kemp personally. You are not handed off to a paralegal or given a fill-in-the-blank form. Your plan reflects your actual family and assets.
Full-Plan Coordination
A will, a living trust, a power of attorney, and a medical directive all need to work together. We review the whole picture — including beneficiary designations on retirement accounts — so nothing conflicts and nothing is missed.
Texas Community Property Expertise
Texas is a community property state. How assets are titled between spouses significantly affects what each spouse can do with them in an estate plan. We apply Texas-specific rules correctly.
Probate Experience When It Matters
When a loved one dies, your estate plan becomes your probate case. We are both estate planning attorneys and probate attorneys — we know what holds up in Harris County probate court and what doesn’t.
No Pressure, No Upselling
We recommend what you actually need — not the most expensive plan. If a simple will is sufficient for your situation, we’ll tell you that honestly. If a trust is warranted, we’ll explain why.
Serving All of Greater Houston
We serve clients throughout Houston, Sugar Land, Katy, Pearland, The Woodlands, Cypress, and the surrounding areas. Free consultation available in person or virtually.
What Is an Estate Plan?
A complete Texas estate plan is not just one document — it is a coordinated set of legal instruments that work together to protect you during your lifetime and provide for your family after you are gone.
Will or Living Trust
Directs who receives your property, who manages your estate, and who raises your children. A will goes through probate. A living trust avoids it. Most complete plans include both — a living trust plus a pour-over will.
Durable Power of Attorney
Authorizes a trusted person to manage your finances if you become incapacitated — avoiding the cost and delay of court-ordered guardianship. Must be signed while you have legal capacity.
Medical Directives
A Medical Power of Attorney names a healthcare agent. A Directive to Physicians (living will) documents your treatment preferences. Together they ensure your medical wishes are honored even if you cannot speak for yourself.
The 6 Core Estate Planning Decisions Every Texas Family Needs to Make
Will or Trust — or Both?
A will requires probate. A living trust avoids it. For most Houston families with real estate and modest to moderate assets, a revocable living trust plus a pour-over will is the most efficient plan. For simpler situations, a well-drafted will is often sufficient.
Who Gets Your Property?
Identifying primary and contingent beneficiaries, addressing blended family situations, and deciding how and when assets reach minor or financially irresponsible heirs (often through a testamentary trust or living trust distribution schedule).
Who Is Your Executor or Successor Trustee?
The person who administers your estate needs to be trustworthy, organized, and willing to handle paperwork. Naming a backup (successor) is just as important as naming the primary.
Who Raises Your Children if You Can’t?
If you have minor children, naming a guardian is the most urgent reason to have a will. Courts take the nomination seriously, and a contested guardianship can be traumatic for children.
Who Manages Your Finances if You’re Incapacitated?
Your durable power of attorney agent handles this. Without one, your family petitions a court for guardianship — which takes months and costs thousands. Choose your agent now.
What Are Your Healthcare Wishes?
A Medical Power of Attorney names your healthcare agent. A Directive to Physicians documents whether you want life-sustaining treatment in specific circumstances. These decisions are far easier to make now than during a crisis.
What Happens Without an Estate Plan in Texas
Texas Intestacy Law Controls Your Estate
If you die without a will, Texas Estates Code Chapter 201 distributes your property by a fixed formula — to your spouse, children, parents, and siblings in statutory order. This may not match what you would have chosen.
A Judge Picks Your Children’s Guardian
Without a will naming a guardian for your minor children, a probate court makes that decision. Extended family members can petition, and contested guardianship proceedings are expensive and emotionally draining.
Probate Is Slower and More Expensive
Without a will requesting independent administration, your estate defaults to dependent administration — requiring court approval for most executor actions. This adds time and legal fees.
Your Incapacity Creates a Crisis
Without a durable power of attorney, your family cannot access your bank accounts, pay your bills, or sell your property without going to court for guardianship. This can take 3–6 months.
Healthcare Decisions Fall to the Default Hierarchy
Texas law designates a default healthcare decision-maker hierarchy if you have no Medical Power of Attorney. This may not be the person you would have chosen, and they may not know your wishes.
Your Estate Is Public
A probated will becomes a public court record. Anyone can read it. A living trust avoids this entirely — your assets and beneficiaries remain private.
Start Your Houston Estate Plan Today
Protecting your family takes less time than you think. Most complete estate plans are finished in 2–3 meetings. Texas Legal Giants offers free, confidential consultations — we’ll tell you exactly what you need and what it costs before any commitment.
Frequently Asked Questions — Houston Estate Planning Attorney
Common estate planning questions from Houston families.
Yes. Estate planning is not only about distributing wealth — it’s about naming a guardian for your children, designating a healthcare agent, and authorizing someone to manage your finances if you’re incapacitated. These needs exist regardless of asset level. Even a modest estate can benefit significantly from a will, power of attorney, and medical directives.
A will goes through probate — a public court process that validates the will and authorizes your executor to act. A revocable living trust avoids probate entirely. Trust assets transfer directly to beneficiaries without court involvement. Both specify who receives your property, but a trust is faster, private, and avoids probate costs. Most complete plans include both.
A basic will with powers of attorney and medical directives typically ranges from $800–$2,500 for an individual or married couple. A living trust plan (trust, pour-over will, powers of attorney, deed transfer) typically ranges from $1,800–$4,000. Texas Legal Giants provides written quotes before any engagement — no surprises.
Review your plan after any major life event: marriage, divorce, birth of a child or grandchild, death of a named beneficiary or executor, significant asset changes, or a move to a new state. Even without life changes, a review every 3–5 years is good practice.
No. Incapacity — through accident, illness, or injury — can happen at any age. Young parents especially need wills for guardian nominations and powers of attorney for financial and healthcare decisions. The earlier you plan, the more options you have.
Most Houston clients complete a full estate plan in 2–4 weeks from the initial consultation. The process involves a consultation, document drafting, a review meeting, and a signing appointment. Urgent situations can often be expedited.
BJ Kemp — Your Houston Estate Planning Attorney
Texas State Bar #24116608 · Texas Legal Giants · Houston, TX
BJ Kemp helps Houston families build comprehensive estate plans — wills, trusts, powers of attorney, medical directives, and probate representation — tailored to each family’s goals and Texas law. Free consultation — call (346) 971-7333. No fee unless we win your case.