Estate Planning for the People and Things You've Worked Hard to Protect
Estate planning isn't about death — it's about making sure the people you love aren't left guessing when it matters most.
If you've been putting this off because it feels overwhelming, or because you're not sure what you actually need, you're not alone. Most people who come to us say the same thing. What they find when they sit down with one of our attorneys is that it's a lot less complicated — and a lot more reassuring — than they expected.
- Six attorneys, each a specialist — not a generalist stretched thin
- Seamless cross-referrals within the firm so nothing falls through the cracks
- Full business lifecycle coverage: formation, contracts, trademarks, succession, estate planning, and litigation
- Plain-English communication at every stage — no jargon, no confusion
- Genuinely free consultations, because you deserve to understand your options before you commit
- Bilingual services for Houston's Spanish-speaking business community
What Texas Law Means for Your Estate Plan
Texas has some distinct rules that affect how your estate is handled — and knowing them can make a real difference in how you plan.
There's no state estate tax in Texas, which means your heirs won't face a state-level tax bill on what you leave them. But Texas is a community property state, which means assets acquired during a marriage are generally owned equally by both spouses. How you title property, how you structure your will or trust, and how you handle beneficiary designations all interact with community property rules in ways that can surprise families who didn't plan carefully.
Texas also has strong homestead protections — your primary residence has significant legal protections from creditors, but those protections don't automatically extend to your heirs without the right documents in place. And if you pass away without a will in Texas, the state's intestacy laws decide who gets what. That distribution may not match what you would have chosen.
These aren't reasons to panic. They're reasons to plan.
Explore Our Estate Planning Services
Asylum
Seeking protection after persecution or fear of returning home can feel emotionally exhausting and legally confusing. The asylum process becomes more manageable when your case is approached with preparation, compassion, and careful immigration-focused guidance.
Survivors pursuing immigration relief under VAWA often need a legal process that feels safe, respectful, and confidential. Wogwu Law, PLLC helps clients understand their options while building a path toward greater stability and independence.
VAWA Immigration Relief
Green card and adjustment cases can become stressful when timelines, forms, and immigration history all affect the process. Clients receive structured guidance designed to reduce confusion and help them move through status-related applications more confidently.
Green Cards & Adjustment of Status
Wills
A properly drafted will is the foundation of any estate plan. We'll make sure yours reflects your wishes and holds up under Texas law.
Trusts
Trusts aren't just for the wealthy. We'll help you determine whether a trust makes sense for your situation — and if it does, build one that works.
Powers of Attorney & Directives
Designate who speaks for you — financially and medically — if you can't. These documents are essential and often overlooked.
Probate
Losing someone is hard enough. We help families move through the probate process with as little friction as possible.
Estate Administration
From notifying creditors to distributing assets, we handle the legal work of settling an estate so your family doesn't have to figure it out alone.
Heirship Affidavits
When a loved one passes without a will and the estate is straightforward, an heirship affidavit may be the most efficient path to transferring property.
Estate Planning for Small Business Owners Is Different
If you own a business, your estate plan has to do more work than most.
What happens to your business when you die? Who has the authority to sign contracts, access accounts, or make decisions while your estate is being settled? If you have a partner, does your estate plan coordinate with your partnership or operating agreement — or do they conflict?
These are questions a standard will doesn't answer on its own. Business owners need an estate plan that accounts for how their personal assets and business interests interact, what happens to the business at death or incapacity, and whether a succession plan is already in place or needs to be built alongside the estate documents.
Our attorneys handle both business law and estate planning, so we can look at your full picture — not just the personal side — and make sure everything works together.
Why Clients Choose The Curry Law Firm
Our estate planning attorneys specialize in this practice area — you're not working with a generalist who handles estate documents on the side.
We're licensed in Texas and Georgia, and we serve clients across the Houston metro, including The Woodlands, Sugar Land, Pearland, and Missouri City.
If you own a business, our business law attorneys work directly with our estate planning team — so your documents don't conflict with your operating agreements or succession plan.
Our consultation model is designed to be low-barrier: a $25 refundable fee holds your appointment, and we'll tell you exactly what you need before any additional fees are discussed.
Clients leave our consultations with a clear plan — not more questions.
Questions We Hear Before the First Consultation
Do I need an estate planning attorney in Texas, or can I use an online will service?
Online tools can generate documents, but they can't account for your specific family situation, your business interests, or how Texas community property rules apply to your assets. A poorly drafted will or a trust that conflicts with your beneficiary designations can create exactly the family conflict you were trying to prevent. An attorney makes sure everything is coordinated and legally sound.
I'm young and don't have a lot of assets. Do I really need an estate plan?
If you have a child, a partner, a home, or a bank account, you have something worth protecting. Estate planning isn't about wealth — it's about making sure the right people have authority to act on your behalf if something happens, and that your wishes are documented. A basic will and power of attorney are often all a younger person needs, and they're more affordable than most people expect.
What's the difference between a will and a trust, and how do I know which one I need?
A will takes effect at death and goes through probate. A trust can take effect during your lifetime, avoids probate, and gives you more control over how and when assets are distributed. Whether you need one, the other, or both depends on your assets, your family situation, and your goals. We'll help you figure that out in your consultation — we won't recommend a trust just because it's a more expensive document.
What happens if I die without a will in Texas?
Texas intestacy laws determine who inherits your estate. The distribution follows a statutory formula based on whether you're married, have children, and how your property is titled — and it may not match what you would have chosen. If you have minor children, the court will also appoint a guardian. Having a will in place gives you control over both decisions.
Does The Curry Law Firm serve businesses outside of Houston?
Yes — and for business owners, it's especially important. Your estate plan should address what happens to your business interest at death or incapacity, who has authority to act on behalf of the business, and how your business documents coordinate with your personal estate documents. We work across both practice areas so nothing falls through the gap.
Let's Make a Plan Together
You don't have to have everything figured out before you call us. That's what the consultation is for. Whether you're starting from scratch, updating documents after a major life change, or trying to figure out what your family actually needs, we're here to help you think it through.
Our practice areas.
We approach every legal matter with a broad perspective and a sharp focus, integrating insights across our practice areas to deliver unparalleled results for our clients.
"Stephen is an asset to our company. He skillfully reviews and negotiates multimillion-dollar contracts, he artfully drafts subcontracts and leases, and he has successfully represented us in court and before municipal boards. He is an accomplished lawyer that is always there when we need him. He is our confidant and friend."
Furino & Sons Inc. (Brothers Four)
"It is truly our pleasure to recommend Stephen to any individual or corporation looking for highly skilled legal counsel. He has represented us on a variety of corporate legal matters and he is a master with both contract and lease negotiations, always offering exceptional strategic advice. More recently, he represented us in front of the Township Planning Board and helped us achieve our desired results when it seemed impossible. We highly endorse Stephen both personally and professionally."
HEC Holding Co., LLC
"Stephen has successfully represented our company’s interests in several matters involving intricate fact patterns and novel legal theories. In one, a particularly aggressive plaintiff was convinced by Stephen to voluntarily dismiss a lawsuit in which it sought significant monetary damages. These favorable outcomes have resulted from Stephen’s thorough and careful review of all facts and circumstances and his dedication to the best interests of his client. In every matter in which we have retained Stephen he has sought to obtain the best possible result in the shortest possible time. We recommend Stephen without reservation."
RPM Development Group
What sets your approach apart?
Our attorneys combine academic rigor, industry leadership, and a deep understanding of complex legal landscapes to deliver strategies uniquely tailored to each client.
How do you handle intricate legal challenges?
We thrive on complexity, leveraging decades of experience to uncover solutions others might miss. Every case is approached with precision, diligence, and creativity.
What kind of communication can clients expect?
We prioritize direct and consistent communication, offering clear updates and actionable insights throughout the legal process, so you remain confident and informed.
How do you approach long-term legal partnerships?
We build enduring relationships by aligning with our clients’ long-term objectives, acting as trusted advisors who guide and support through every phase of their ventures.
What can I expect during my consultation?
Your initial consultation will involve an in-depth discussion of your goals and challenges, allowing our attorneys to outline tailored strategies and next steps. See below for a typical process cadence.