Our fees are “flat fees” rather than hourly rates. Fees quoted are for online services excluding costs such as filing fees unless otherwise stated. Clients that require office visits or weekend/holiday services incur an additional fee of 20%.   

You are invited to compare our fees with those charged by other board-certified lawyers with comparable experience. We believe our fees are extremely reasonable – particularly considering the unique services provided by this firm – however, this is not a discount law office, nor will we negotiate fees, provide package rates, or the like.  Requests for discounts will result in immediate termination of our discussions.

Registered Agent. The attorney is available to act as registered agent for an annual fee of $250. This service includes accepting service of process from the constable if the company is sued and forwarding official mail to the client (e.g., from the Secretary of State, Comptroller, or attorneys – but not routine bills and bank statements).  It is purely a state-level service and does not include dealings with the IRS or any other federal agency.  It is not a retainer for legal services, which will incur an additional charge. For registered agent purposes, we maintain a dedicated address in the Houston area: 330 Rayford Rd., Suite 401, Spring, TX 77386.  This address is subject to change.  You will be notified if it is changed.

Anonymity Package. Another optional fee is the anonymity package - listing the attorney only in the formation documents with the Secretary of State (as organizer, initial member, and registered agent) so that the client’s name does not appear at all in the public records of the company’s formation. After formation, the LLC membership interest is privately assigned to you (not a reported transaction). For this option, add $650 to the $250 registered agent fee. Anonymity is a legitimate objective; however, this service is not available for any unethical or illegal purpose.

Trustee Services. These are available on a limited, case-by-case basis. Fees are usually $500 per year, but may be adjusted for risk, since trustees are the persons personally named and served if the entity is sued.  Included are service as the named trustee in a land trust or living trust; holding or distributing funds through our escrow account; holding title to property in a trustee capacity; and the like.

Other Types of Entities. These include Texas limited partnerships with an LLC as general partner, a device sometimes used in commercial transactions.  Fees begin at $2,500 plus costs.

Offshore Entities.  We can assist you in forming an LLC in Panama or the Cayman Islands, which are our preferred jurisdictions.  Fees begin at $2,500 plus costs.

Asset protection is a highly individualistic endeavor. We will make every attempt to customize whatever documents and services you reasonably require for a flat fee.

Asset Protection Review (APR).  This is a good starting point if you are uncertain about what action to take. It includes a comprehensive analysis of your circumstances and goals with recommendations for action.  It is conducted online, supplemented by phone and fax. The fee for the APR is $250 and is applied to the fee for forming a company or trust.

Formation of a Series LLC.  This is the core of our asset protection system. Asset protection planning is included in our $950 fee (plus costs for a total of $1,365 for the basic package) as are reasonable follow-up questions after the company is established.  Service by the attorney as registered agent, if desired, is $250 annually. 

Formation of a Traditional LLC.  A traditional LLC may be useful as a management company.  Fees are $750 plus costs.

Documents for a Land Trust Transaction.  Fees are $550 - $750, excluding county clerk recording fees.

            Formation of a Living (Inter Vivos) Trust.  Fees are $550 excluding the deed into the trust ($175 plus county clerk recording fees).

Deeding Properties into your LLC or Trust. Specially crafted deeds for this purpose are $175 plus recording fees (usually $28 depending on the county).  If two properties are involved, the fee is reduced to $150; if three or more properties are involved, the fee per deed is $125.  

“Pour-Over” Will.  This is a Last Will and Testament designed to complement the living trust.  Highly recommended. $250. 

Optional advanced services include the fee for the LLC “anonymity package” (the attorney is named on all formation documents without reference to you) and listing the attorney as the company’s registered agent.  See below for details.

By engaging this office, the client unconditionally agrees to the following policies:

Clients agree to use email whenever possible to avoid phone tag.  Clients agree to check their email at least once daily while we are in the process of establishing your company. 

Online fee quotes. Fees quoted on this site are for services provided online, supplemented by phone and fax. In-person meetings in our office, if required by the client, will increase these fees by 20%.

 Emergency documents on weekends and holidays.   Legal documents may be available on weekends and holidays by request and for an additional fee of 20%.

Costs.  A quote for legal fees (even a flat fee) never includes costs and expenses such as filing fees.

Flat fees. Flat fees are an accommodation to the client and are quoted with the understanding that adjustment may be necessary if there is a substantial increase in legal work due to unexpected or unforeseen circumstances.  

Hourly fees.  Flat fees are quoted whenever possible.  When an hourly fee is appropriate, the rate is $200 per hour for out-of-court matters, $250 per hour in-court.  An advance retainer of $2,500 to $5,000 is typically required in hourly matters.

 Fees and retainers, once paid, are always non-refundable. Overpayments or credits to a client’s account must be used within 6 months or they expire. 

Scope of fees. Flat fees do not include unrelated legal services, travel to rural counties, research in the courthouse, physically inspecting property, and the like unless express prior arrangements are made.

Payment of invoices.  For billing of on-going or hourly matters, payment is late 10 days after date of invoice. If payment is not made when due or promised, the attorney is automatically relieved of any obligation to continue delivering legal services.

NSF checks or rejected card payments. This office has a zero tolerance policy on such matters, which will result in immediate termination of representation and possible legal action.

Client files. Clients receive copies of documents and correspondence. Keeping these copies in an orderly manner is the client’s responsibility. Our file remains the property of this office and may be disposed of at any time without consent of or notice to the client. We never retain original documents. In accordance with the Identity Theft Enforcement and Protection Act, files are shredded before disposal.

Title insurance. This office is not affiliated with a title company and does not offer title insurance.  A title search is easily obtained but is not included in the fee for preparing a deed or closing a transaction.

Proprietary documents. All documents produced by this office are proprietary and licensed to the client for use in a particular transaction only.  They may not be reproduced or re-used in any manner without permission.

No tax advice. We do not give tax advice.  All clients are encouraged to have a good CPA who should be consulted every time there are potential tax consequences.

No guarantees. No legal outcome can ever be guaranteed. The client’s obligation to pay fees is not contingent upon the outcome.

Client demeanor.  Services will be immediately terminated without refund to clients who are rude, unprofessional, or uncooperative.

ALL FEES QUOTED ABOVE ARE GENERAL GUIDELINES ONLY AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. THIS OFFICE DOES NOT REPRESENT YOU UNLESS WE EXPRESSLY AGREE TO DO SO IN WRITING AND WE HAVE RECEIVED AND ACCEPTED PAYMENT. UNTIL THEN, NO ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP IS CREATED AND WE HAVE NO OBLIGATIONS TO YOU OR YOUR CASE.