⸺ Empathetic. Equitable. Efficient.
Houston estate
planning & probate,
without the confusion.
Wills, trusts, and probate handled with clear answers, honest pricing, and a lawyer who actually picks up the phone. Because protecting your family shouldn’t feel intimidating.
⸺ How we practice
Three words we actually mean
01
Empathetic
You’re usually here because something hard happened, or you’re trying to make sure it doesn’t. We start by listening, not by billing.
02
Equitable
Pricing explained before we start — ask whether flat-fee pricing is right for your matter. Plain-English documents. Estate planning shouldn’t be reserved for people who already have wealth.
03
Efficient
Most plans finish in two meetings. We move probate through Harris County without the months of silence you’ve heard about.
⸺ Practice areas
What we handle
Five focused areas, all built around one idea: protecting what you’ve worked
for and making the transition simple for the people you leave it to.
Estate Planning
A plan that says exactly what you want, so nobody has to guess later.
Probate
Settling an estate step by step, with someone in your corner the whole way.
Estate & Probate Litigation
When families disagree — including guardianship and guardianship litigation.
Business Law
Set the company up right the first time, and keep it protected as it grows.
Real Estate
Deeds, closings, and moving property cleanly from one name to the next.
Not sure where you fit?
Take fifteen minutes. We’ll tell you what you need — and what you don’t.
⸺ The 30-second version
Will, trust, or probate — which one is this?
Most people arrive not knowing which door they’re supposed to walk through. Here’s the short answer.
Short version: a good will keeps probate simple. A trust can skip it. And if you’re already in probate, a Muniment of Title may finish it in one hearing — ask about it.
⸺ Our approach
Three steps. No mystery.
You’ll know the scope, the cost, and the next step before
you leave the first meeting.
01
Talk it through
A 15-minute call. Tell us what’s going on. We’ll tell you plainly whether you need a lawyer and what it will cost.
02
Build the plan
Scope and pricing agreed before we begin — and we’ll tell you if flat-fee pricing is right for your matter. Then we draft everything in language you can actually read.
03
Sign & rest easy
Signed, notarized, and stored. You leave with a plan that works — and a lawyer you can call when life changes.
⸺ Watch first, then call
Short answers to the questions we get most
2
meetings to a finished plan
$0
for your first consult
5+
Texas counties served
24hr
typical response time
⸺ Meet your attorney
Hi, I'm Jireh.
I started this firm because I kept meeting people who had put off estate planning for years — not because they didn’t care, but because every lawyer they’d talked to made them feel small.
That’s not how this works. I’ll explain what you need in language that makes sense, tell you what it will cost before we begin — including whether flat-fee pricing is right for your matter — and tell you honestly when you don’t need to hire me at all.
I’m a licensed Texas attorney and a trained mediator, which means when a family disagreement can be solved at a table instead of in a courtroom, I know how to get you there.
Jireh Davis, J.D., MBA
Attorney & Mediator · J. Davis Law & Mediation
⸺ Client reviews
What people say afterward
⸺ Common questions
Answers before you call
How much does a will cost in Texas?
It depends on what your situation actually requires, which is exactly what the consult is for. Some matters are a good fit for flat-fee pricing and some aren’t — ask whether flat-fee pricing is right for yours, and we’ll give you the number before any work begins rather than an estimate that quietly grows later.
Do I have to go through probate if my spouse died?
Not always. Texas has several shortcuts — a Muniment of Title, a small estate affidavit, or an affidavit of heirship — that can settle an estate without a full administration. Which one applies depends on whether there was a will, what the estate holds, and who else has a claim. That’s a fifteen-minute conversation, not a retainer.
What's the difference between a will and a living trust?
A will directs who receives what and generally goes through probate. A living trust holds your property during your life and passes it privately without court. Trusts cost more up front and are worth it in specific situations — property in more than one state, privacy concerns, or a beneficiary who needs protection. Most Texas families do fine with a solid will.
How long does probate take in Harris County?
A straightforward independent administration usually runs six months to a year. A Muniment of Title can finish much faster. Contested matters take longer. We’ll give you a realistic timeline at the start rather than a hopeful one.
Do you handle disagreements between family members?
Yes — including will contests, trust disputes, guardianship, and guardianship litigation. As a trained mediator, my first question is always whether this can be resolved without a courtroom. Often it can, and it costs your family far less when it is.
Can we do this without meeting in person?
Most of it, yes. Consults and planning meetings can happen by video. Texas does require certain documents to be signed and witnessed in person, and we’ll make that appointment as easy as possible.
⸺ Resources
Read up before you decide
The Complete Texas Probate Guide
Guide
Texas probate, start to finish
Every step, every form, every deadline — written for the person handling it, not for other lawyers.
Harris County Probate Court
Local
What to expect at the courthouse
Which court you’ll be in, what to bring, and what actually happens at the hearing.
Lady Bird & Transfer on Death Deeds
Estate Planning
Pass the house without probate
Two Texas-specific deeds that move real property directly to your heirs. Here’s how each one works.