Estate Planning Attorney in The Woodlands, TX
Dickey Law Group provides estate planning services in The Woodlands, Texas, including wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, powers of attorney, advance directives, and guardianship designations. Basic will packages range from $1,500–$3,000; trust packages from $3,000–$6,000. Bilingual (English/Spanish) services available. Free consultations.
Your family, your home, and everything you've built deserve a plan. At Dickey Law Group, we help Woodlands families protect what matters most — with clear guidance, transparent pricing, and a process you'll actually understand.
Whether you need a will, a trust, powers of attorney, or a complete estate plan, our attorneys walk you through every step. And because we believe everyone deserves access to legal protection, we offer all services in both English and Spanish.
Why The Woodlands Families Need an Estate Plan
Texas is a community property state. That means how you own property, who inherits it, and what happens to your children if something happens to you — all of it is governed by state law unless you have documents that say otherwise.
Estate planning isn't about wealth. It's about making sure the people you love aren't left guessing, fighting, or waiting on a court.
Our Estate Planning Services
Last Will & Testament
A will is the foundation of most estate plans. It names who inherits your property, who manages your estate (your executor), and — critically for parents — who will be guardian of your minor children. In Texas, a valid will must be in writing, signed by you, and witnessed by two people over 18.
We draft wills tailored to your specific family situation, assets, and wishes — not templates pulled from the internet.
Revocable Living Trusts
A revocable living trust lets you transfer property into a trust during your lifetime. You maintain full control, and when you pass away, the trust distributes assets to your beneficiaries without going through probate.
Trusts make the most sense when you:
- ◆Own real property (homes, land, investment property)
- ◆Want to avoid probate for your family
- ◆Value privacy (wills become public record in probate; trusts don't)
- ◆Have blended family situations that need specific distribution instructions
The most common mistake we see: people create a trust but never transfer their property into it. A trust without funded assets is just paper. We handle both the trust document and the deed transfers to make sure your plan actually works.
Irrevocable Trusts
Unlike revocable trusts, irrevocable trusts can't be easily changed once created. They're used for specific purposes:
- ◆Asset protection — creditors generally can't reach assets in an irrevocable trust
- ◆Tax planning — for estates that may exceed the federal estate tax exemption (currently $13.61 million per individual)
- ◆Medicaid planning — transferring assets out of your name to qualify for long-term care benefits (subject to a 5-year lookback period)
We help you understand whether an irrevocable trust fits your situation or whether a simpler approach works better.
Powers of Attorney & Advance Directives
These documents matter as much as your will — sometimes more, because they take effect while you're still alive.
- Statutory Durable Power of Attorney — designates someone to manage your finances if you become incapacitated. Uses the Texas Estates Code form with customizable powers.
- ◆Medical Power of Attorney — designates someone to make healthcare decisions on your behalf.
- ◆Directive to Physicians (Living Will) — states your wishes about life-sustaining treatment.
- ◆HIPAA Authorization — allows designated people to access your medical records.
Without these documents, your family may need to go through a guardianship proceeding in court just to pay your bills or make medical decisions. That process can take months and cost $5,000–$15,000.
Guardianship Designations for Minor Children
If both parents pass away, who raises your children? In your will, you can name a guardian — and just as importantly, name who you do NOT want appointed. Without a designation, the court decides based on Texas law, and that decision may not align with your wishes.
For families with children, this is often the most important reason to have a will, even if you have limited assets.
Will Updates & Amendments (Codicils)
Life changes — marriages, divorces, new children, new property, moves to Texas from another state. Your estate plan should change with it. We recommend reviewing your documents every 3–5 years or after any major life event.
A codicil is a formal amendment to an existing will. In some cases, it's simpler and more cost-effective to draft a new will entirely. We'll advise you on which approach makes sense.
Pour-Over Wills
A pour-over will works alongside a trust. Any property not already in your trust at the time of death "pours over" into the trust through probate. It's a safety net — it catches anything you forgot to transfer during your lifetime.
Every client who sets up a revocable living trust should also have a pour-over will.
Which Estate Plan Is Right for You?
Every family's situation is different. Here's a general guide to help you understand which level of planning fits your needs.
| Feature | Basic Will Package | Trust-Based Plan | Comprehensive Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| What's included | Last will, durable POA, medical POA, directive to physicians, HIPAA authorization | Everything in Basic + revocable living trust, pour-over will, deed transfers | Everything in Trust-Based + irrevocable trust, business succession documents, LLC operating agreement review |
| Typical cost range | $1,500–$3,000 | $3,000–$6,000 | $6,000–$10,000+ |
| Best for | Young families, simple estates, renters, those with few assets | Homeowners, families wanting to avoid probate, blended families | Business owners, high-value estates, complex family situations, multi-state property |
| Avoids probate | No — will goes through probate | Yes — for assets in the trust | Yes — for assets in the trust |
| Privacy | No — wills become public record | Yes — trusts remain private | Yes — trusts remain private |
| Asset protection | No | Limited | Yes — irrevocable trust shields assets from creditors |
These are general ranges. We provide a fixed quote after your free consultation — no surprises and no upselling.
Wills vs. Trusts — Which Is Right for You?
This is the most common question we hear, and the answer depends on your situation — not on a one-size-fits-all rule.
| Factor | Will Only | Will + Trust |
|---|---|---|
| You own a home | Goes through probate | Avoids probate if property is in the trust |
| Privacy matters | Wills become public record | Trusts remain private |
| You have minor children | Names a guardian (essential) | Names a guardian + controls when/how children inherit |
| Simple estate, few assets | Usually sufficient | May be more than you need |
| Blended family | Can create conflicts between spouse and children from prior marriage | Gives you precise control over distributions |
| Property in multiple states | Probate required in EACH state | Trust avoids multi-state probate |
| Incapacity planning | Will only takes effect at death | Trust can manage assets if you become incapacitated |
Most Woodlands families with a home and children benefit from a revocable living trust. But if your situation is straightforward, a well-drafted will with powers of attorney may be all you need. We'll tell you honestly which approach fits — we don't upsell.
Our Process
Step 1 — Initial Consultation
We sit down with you (in person at our Woodlands office or by video) to understand your family, your assets, and your goals. Bring any existing documents you have — old wills, deeds, insurance policies, account statements.
This meeting typically takes 60–90 minutes. We ask questions, listen, and explain your options in plain language. You leave with a clear understanding of what you need and what it will cost.
Step 2 — Document Drafting
Based on our consultation, we draft your documents. This typically includes a will or trust, powers of attorney, advance directives, and any deed transfers needed to fund a trust.
Drafting takes 1–2 weeks. You receive the documents for review before the signing appointment.
Step 3 — Review & Signing
We walk through every document with you, page by page, so you understand exactly what you're signing. We provide the witnesses and notary. The signing appointment takes about 45–60 minutes.
You leave with your original documents and guidance on where to store them safely.
Step 4 — Funding & Implementation
If you have a trust, we prepare and record the deeds to transfer your property into it. We also provide instructions for retitling bank accounts, investment accounts, and life insurance beneficiary designations.
This is the step that most attorneys skip — and it's the step that makes the difference between a plan that works and a plan that doesn't.
Step 5 — Ongoing Updates
We recommend reviewing your plan every 3–5 years or after any major life event (marriage, divorce, new child, new property, move to/from Texas, significant change in assets). We're here for updates and amendments whenever you need them.
Bilingual Estate Planning Services (English & Spanish)
Attorney Mireya Dickey provides estate 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 signing.
For mixed-language families, we make sure all parties understand every document, regardless of which language they prefer. Estate planning is too important to leave anything to misunderstanding.
No other estate planning firm in The Woodlands offers this.
Why Choose Dickey Law Group for Estate Planning
James and Mireya Dickey founded Dickey Law Group as a husband-and-wife team because they believe estate planning should be personal. When you work with us, you work with us — not a paralegal you've never met.
- ◆32 five-star reviews — our clients trust us with their families' futures, and we take that seriously
- ◆Bilingual (English & Spanish) — the only estate planning firm in The Woodlands offering full services in both languages
- ◆Estate + business integration — if you own a business, we plan for both your family and your company together, not in silos
- ◆Transparent process — you know what to expect, what it costs, and how long it takes before you commit
- ◆Serving The Woodlands, Spring, Conroe, and North Houston — our office is at 2001 Timberloch Place, Suite 500
Frequently Asked Questions
Areas We Serve
We serve The Woodlands and surrounding communities in Montgomery and Harris counties.
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Hablamos español. / We speak Spanish.