Business Planning & LLC Formation in The Woodlands, TX
Dickey Law Group provides business planning services in The Woodlands, Texas, including LLC formation ($1,500–$2,500), buy-sell agreements ($2,000–$4,000), business succession planning ($3,000–$6,000), and combined estate + business planning packages ($6,000–$10,000+). Bilingual (English/Spanish) services available. Free consultations.
You've put years into building your business. But what happens to it if you get sick, want to retire, or pass away? At Dickey Law Group, we help Texas business owners protect their companies — and their families — with legal structures that actually hold up when it matters.
Whether you're starting an LLC, drafting a buy-sell agreement, or planning how your business passes to the next generation, our attorneys handle the details so you can focus on running your company.
Why Texas Business Owners Need a Legal Plan
Texas makes it easy to start a business — but the state won't protect you from the consequences of not planning ahead. Without the right legal documents, a single event can unravel everything you've built.
Business planning isn't just for big companies. If you have a partner, employees, or a family that depends on your income, you need a plan.
Our Business Planning Services
LLC Formation in Texas
Forming an LLC in Texas starts with filing a Certificate of Formation with the Secretary of State — but that's just the paperwork. The real work is building the legal structure behind it.
Our LLC formation package includes:
- ◆Certificate of Formation filed with the Texas Secretary of State
- ◆Custom operating agreement (not a template — written for your specific business)
- ◆EIN application with the IRS
- ◆Guidance on separating personal and business finances
- ◆Initial compliance checklist so you start on the right footing
Texas doesn't require an operating agreement by law, but operating without one means you're subject to the default rules in the Texas Business Organizations Code. Those defaults often don't match what owners actually want — especially when it comes to what happens if a member leaves, dies, or wants to sell their interest.
Pricing: $1,500–$2,500 (includes operating agreement)
Business Succession Planning
A succession plan answers a simple question: what happens to your business when you're no longer running it? Whether that's retirement, disability, or death, the answer shouldn't be "chaos."
We work with business owners to create a written plan that covers:
- ◆Who takes over day-to-day operations
- ◆How ownership transfers (to family, partners, or a buyer)
- ◆Funding mechanisms (life insurance, installment payments, etc.)
- ◆Tax considerations for the transfer
- ◆Timeline for transition (phased retirement, immediate transfer, etc.)
For family businesses in The Woodlands area, succession planning often overlaps with estate planning. A business owner's will or trust needs to account for the company — and the business documents need to match the estate plan. We handle both sides.
Pricing: $3,000–$6,000
Buy-Sell Agreements
A buy-sell agreement is a contract between business co-owners that controls what happens when an owner wants to leave — or has to leave. Think of it as a prenup for your business partnership.
A well-drafted buy-sell agreement addresses:
- ◆Triggering events (death, disability, retirement, divorce, bankruptcy)
- ◆Valuation method (how you determine what the business is worth)
- ◆Funding (life insurance policies are the most common funding tool)
- ◆Right of first refusal (so partners can't sell to outsiders without consent)
- ◆Payment terms (lump sum vs. installments)
Without a buy-sell agreement, Texas law gives a deceased member's heirs their ownership interest. That means your partner's spouse or children could become your new business partners — or could force a sale of the business to get their money out.
Pricing: $2,000–$4,000
Operating Agreement Drafting & Review
Your operating agreement is the rulebook for your LLC. It defines who owns what, who makes decisions, how profits are split, and what happens when things change.
We draft operating agreements that cover:
- ◆Member ownership percentages and capital contributions
- ◆Voting rights and management structure (member-managed vs. manager-managed)
- ◆Profit and loss allocation
- ◆Rules for adding or removing members
- ◆Dissolution procedures
- ◆Transfer restrictions (so a member can't sell their interest to a stranger)
Already have an operating agreement? We review existing agreements for gaps — especially around death, disability, and dispute resolution. Many template agreements from online services miss these critical provisions entirely.
Business Continuity Planning
Business continuity planning goes beyond succession. It's about keeping your business running if you're temporarily unable to manage it — whether due to illness, injury, or an extended absence.
A continuity plan typically includes:
- ◆Designated backup decision-makers with legal authority to act
- ◆Access protocols for business bank accounts and critical systems
- ◆Key employee retention provisions
- ◆Client and vendor communication plans
- ◆Insurance review (key person insurance, disability buy-out coverage)
For solo practitioners and small business owners in The Woodlands, this is especially important. If you're the only person who can sign checks, access accounts, or approve contracts, a two-week hospital stay could put your business at serious risk.
Integrating Your Estate Plan & Business Plan
This is where most attorneys drop the ball. They draft an estate plan that ignores the business, or business documents that don't account for the owner's personal estate plan. The result? Conflicting instructions, confused families, and expensive litigation.
At Dickey Law Group, we draft your estate plan and business plan together. That means:
- ◆Your will or trust accounts for your business ownership interest
- ◆Your operating agreement and buy-sell agreement align with your estate documents
- ◆Beneficiary designations on life insurance policies match the funding needs of your buy-sell agreement
- ◆Your spouse and business partners both know the plan — no surprises
For business owners, this combined approach is the most important thing we do. It's also why our firm handles both estate planning and business planning — so nothing falls through the cracks.
Pricing: $6,000–$10,000+ (combined estate + business planning)
Business Planning Services & Pricing
Transparent pricing — no surprises. We provide a fixed quote after your free consultation.
| Service | Price Range | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| LLC Formation | $1,500–$2,500 | Certificate of Formation, operating agreement, EIN application, compliance checklist |
| Buy-Sell Agreement | $2,000–$4,000 | Custom agreement covering death, disability, retirement, divorce, and voluntary exit triggers |
| Business Succession Plan | $3,000–$6,000 | Written succession plan, ownership transfer documents, funding analysis, tax consideration review |
| Combined Estate + Business Planning | $6,000–$10,000+ | Full estate plan (will/trust, POAs, directives) + business succession + buy-sell agreement — all drafted to work together |
These are general ranges. Complexity, number of owners, and entity structure affect final pricing. We provide a fixed quote after your free consultation — no surprises.
Do You Need a Buy-Sell Agreement?
If any of these situations apply to your business, a buy-sell agreement isn't optional — it's essential.
| Your Situation | Without a Buy-Sell Agreement | With a Buy-Sell Agreement |
|---|---|---|
| A partner dies unexpectedly | Their heirs inherit the ownership interest — you may end up with unwanted partners or a forced sale | Life insurance funds the buyout; the business continues with surviving partners |
| A partner gets divorced | The ex-spouse may claim a share of the business as community property | Transfer restrictions prevent ownership from passing to the ex-spouse |
| A partner wants to retire | No clear process — may lead to disputes over valuation and payment terms | Pre-agreed valuation method and payment schedule make the transition smooth |
| A partner becomes disabled | The disabled partner still owns their share but can't contribute — other partners carry the load | Disability buy-out provision triggers after a defined period; fair price for both sides |
| A partner wants to sell to an outsider | They can sell to anyone — you have no say in who your new partner is | Right of first refusal gives existing partners the chance to buy first |
If you have a business partner, you need a buy-sell agreement. It's that straightforward. The cost of drafting one is a fraction of what a dispute would cost.
Bilingual Business Planning Services (English & Spanish)
Attorney Mireya Dickey provides business planning services in Spanish for clients who are more comfortable discussing legal matters in their native language. This isn't just translation — it's full legal counsel delivered in Spanish from consultation through document signing.
For business partnerships where owners speak different languages, we make sure everyone understands the operating agreement, buy-sell agreement, and succession plan. When money and ownership are on the line, there's no room for misunderstanding.
Why Choose Dickey Law Group for Business Planning
James and Mireya Dickey founded Dickey Law Group to serve families and business owners in The Woodlands — not as separate clients, but as people whose personal and business lives are connected.
- ◆Estate + business integration — we draft both plans together so nothing conflicts and nothing gets missed
- ◆Bilingual (English & Spanish) — the only firm in The Woodlands offering full business planning services in both languages
- ◆Transparent pricing — you know the cost before you commit, with a fixed quote after your free consultation
- ◆We handle the details — from filing your Certificate of Formation with the Secretary of State to recording deed transfers into your trust
- ◆Serving The Woodlands, Spring, Conroe, and North Houston — our office is at 2001 Timberloch Place, Suite 500
Frequently Asked Questions
Official Texas Business Resources
These official resources can help you understand Texas business requirements. For personalized guidance, schedule a free consultation with our team.
- ◆SOSDirect — Texas Secretary of State — Online portal for filing entity formations, searching business records, and handling annual filings.
- ◆Texas Business Organizations Code — Chapter 101 (LLCs) — The rules governing limited liability companies in Texas, including default provisions that apply without an operating agreement.
- ◆IRS — Small Business Resources — Information on EINs, business tax obligations, and federal compliance requirements for LLCs and other entities.
Areas We Serve
We serve The Woodlands and surrounding communities in Montgomery and Harris counties.
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Ready to put a plan in place? Contact Dickey Law Group to schedule a free consultation about your business planning needs.
Hablamos español. / We speak Spanish.