Leslie Turnage, Attorney at Law

Your Collaborative Attorney

Your Story Matters. Let’s Protect It Together.


Collaborative Divorce | Wills | Probate | Guardianship  


Life brings many transitions—divorce, the loss of a loved one, or the need to plan for the future. In these moments, you deserve legal guidance that is clear, compassionate, and rooted in respect. I serve individuals and families in Houston, Katy, and surrounding Texas communities, helping them navigate life’s changes with dignity and confidence.


As a collaborative divorce attorney, I guide families toward resolution without the strain of courtroom conflict. In wills and probate, I protect your legacy and ensure your wishes are carried out. For guardianship matters, I provide steady counsel to safeguard the well-being of your loved ones.


I regularly publish articles on Collaborative Divorce, Probate, Estate Planning, and Guardianship.  You can read my latest posts on Linkedin to learn more about how I guide families through life's important transitions. 


Clients value my warm presence, practical insight, and ability to build lasting relationships. If we have worked together, I invite you to leave me a review on Avvo.

Leslie Turnage, Attorney at Law
Houston & Katy Collaborative Divorce, Probate, and Estate Attorney, Houston, Katy

Legacy | Probate | Family

Wills & Estate Legacy Planning

YOUR STORY. MY ADVICE.


Wills and Estate Legacy Planning


A well-prepared estate plan protects your family and ensures your wishes are honored. Estate planning is not only for the wealthy—it is for anyone who wants clarity, peace of mind, and control over their future.


Key estate planning documents include:

  • Last Will and Testament – Names your beneficiaries and executor

  • Durable Power of Attorney – Allows someone you trust to manage finances if you cannot

  • Medical Power of Attorney & Advance Directive – Ensures your healthcare wishes are respected

  • Trusts – Can protect assets, avoid probate, and provide for children or loved ones with special needs


Questions I often hear:

  • Do I need a will if I don’t have many assets?
    Yes. Even modest estates benefit from a will to avoid confusion and ensure your wishes are followed.

  • What is a power of attorney?
    A power of attorney allows someone you trust to manage your financial or medical decisions if you cannot.

  • Can estate planning help avoid probate?
    Yes. Certain tools, like trusts and transfer-on-death deeds, may allow assets to pass directly to heirs without probate.

By putting the right plan in place, you save your family unnecessary stress and expense, and you ensure your story is carried forward the way you intend.


Next Step: Schedule a consultation today to begin building a plan that fits your family’s needs and protects your future.

Probate and Estate Administration

YOUR ESTATE.

MY ADVOCACY.


Probate and Estate Administration


Probate is the court-supervised process of transferring a loved one’s assets after death. In Texas, probate can range from straightforward to complex, depending on the size of the estate, whether there is a will, and whether disputes arise.


How I help families through probate:

  • Guiding executors and administrators through their legal duties

  • Preparing and filing court-required documents, inventories, and accountings

  • Handling creditor claims and estate debts

  • Assisting with disputes over property or inheritance


Questions I often hear:

  • How long does probate take in Texas?
    Most cases last six months to a year, but some simple estates can be completed more quickly. Complex estates with disputes may take longer.

  • What happens if there is no will?
    The Texas Estates Code sets out who inherits property when someone passes away without a will. The process may be more complicated but is still manageable.

  • What does an executor do?
    An executor is responsible for paying debts, filing court documents, and distributing property to beneficiaries.

My goal is to make probate as smooth as possible so you can focus on your family while I handle the legal details.


Next Step: If you have lost a loved one, contact me today to learn how probate works in Texas and what steps are required for your situation.

Guardianship

YOUR LOVED ONE’S CARE.

MY GUIDANCE.


Guardianship


Sometimes a loved one cannot manage their personal or financial affairs due to age, illness, or disability. In these situations, guardianship may be necessary to ensure their safety and well-being.


I assist families with:

  • Establishing guardianship for elderly parents

  • Protecting children with special needs as they become adults

  • Advising guardians on their ongoing responsibilities and reporting duties

Questions I often hear:

  • When is guardianship necessary?
    Guardianship may be needed when an adult cannot manage personal or financial affairs due to illness, age, or disability.

  • What is the difference between guardianship of the person and guardianship of the estate?
    Guardianship of the person covers day-to-day care decisions. Guardianship of the estate covers financial matters.

  • What are the responsibilities of a guardian?
    Guardians must act in the ward’s best interest, manage assets responsibly, and report to the court regularly.

Guardianship is a serious responsibility. I guide families through the court process with compassion and clarity, making sure loved ones are protected while honoring their dignity.


Next Step: If you are concerned about a loved one’s ability to manage their affairs, reach out to discuss whether guardianship is the right option for your family.

Collaborative Divorce

YOUR NEXT. CHAPTER.

MY COMMITMENT.


Collaborative Divorce


Divorce does not have to be a battle. Collaborative divorce is a respectful alternative to litigation that focuses on solutions and your family’s future. Instead of fighting in court, you and your spouse work together with trained professionals—including lawyers, financial specialists, and mental health professionals—to reach agreements tailored to your family’s needs.


Why clients choose collaborative divorce:

  • Protects children from courtroom conflict

  • Gives both spouses a voice in the outcome

  • Preserves privacy and dignity

  • Often more efficient and cost-effective than traditional litigation

Questions I often hear:

  • What is collaborative divorce?
    Collaborative divorce is a respectful, non-court process where both spouses work with trained professionals—including lawyers, financial neutrals, and parenting experts—to reach solutions that fit their family.

  • Will I have to go to court?
    No. The collaborative process is designed to resolve issues outside of the courtroom.

  • How does it protect children?
    By focusing on cooperation instead of conflict, children are shielded from courtroom stress and parents work together on parenting plans.

Collaborative divorce is not about “winning” or “losing.” It’s about creating workable, lasting agreements so you can move forward with confidence.


Next Step: Schedule a consultation to discuss whether collaborative divorce is right for you. Together, we can design a process that minimizes conflict and helps your family transition with respect.

We are ready to help you.
Connect with us.

Houston & Katy Collaborative Divorce, Probate, and Estate Attorney Lawyer

About Leslie Turnage, Attorney at Law

I Am Here for What Matters

Leslie Turnage, J.D., M.B.A.


Collaborative Attorney | Client Focused Advocate 


Leslie Turnage is a Texas attorney dedicated to guiding individuals and families through life’s most meaningful legal transitions. Known for her compassionate approach and practical counsel, she blends legal insight with business expertise to help clients move forward with clarity, confidence, and dignity.


Her boutique practice serves clients in Houston, Katy, and surrounding Texas communities, focusing on collaborative family law, probate, guardianship, and estate planning—always with the goal of reducing conflict and building lasting, respectful solutions.


Collaborative Divorce

As a collaborative divorce attorney, Leslie works closely with financial neutrals, parenting professionals, and divorce mortgage advisors to craft agreements that protect children, preserve family relationships, and support long-term stability. Families turn to her when they want resolution without the strain of courtroom conflict.


Estate Planning and Guardianship

In estate planning and guardianship, Leslie helps clients create tailored plans—wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance directives, and transfer-on-death deeds—to safeguard their values and legacies with peace of mind. She provides steady counsel in guardianship matters, ensuring vulnerable loved ones are protected with dignity and care.


Probate

When families face probate, Leslie guides executors and heirs through the legal process with clarity and compassion. She handles the details of estate administration so clients can focus on honoring their loved one’s memory.


Leadership & Community Involvement


A recognized leader in the legal community, Leslie serves as:

  • Chairman of the Houston Bar Association Law Practice Management Section

  • Appointee to the State Bar of Texas Collaborative Counsel  

  • First Vice President of the Katy Bar Association

  • Appointee to the State Bar of Texas Law Practice Management and Collaborative Law Sections

  • Past Chair of the TOJI Alumni Network

  • Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, a distinction awarded to less than one-third of one percent of Texas attorneys

She is frequently appointed by the courts as Attorney Ad Litem in probate and guardianship matters, trusted for her professionalism, empathy, and clear communication.


Client-Focused Advocacy

When you reach out, you’ll speak directly with Leslie or her team, beginning with a straightforward conversation about your goals and concerns. In the first meeting, she listens to your story, explains your options, and outlines practical next steps so you leave with clarity and a plan.


Leslie focuses on reducing conflict whenever possible while still being fully prepared to advocate in court if necessary. Her practice is built on integrity, respect, and a commitment to protecting families—not just resolving legal issues.


She works with individuals and families across Houston, Katy, and surrounding Texas areas, offering both in-person and virtual consultations for your convenience. Clients value her warm presence, practical insight, and ability to build lasting relationships. With every engagement, Leslie offers more than legal representation—she provides a trusted partnership to help others move forward with integrity, purpose, and peace of mind.


Read client reviews or leave me a review on Avvo


Next Step: If you are facing divorce, need help with probate, or want to plan for the future, schedule a consultation today. Together, we will design a path forward that protects what matters most.


Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is collaborative divorce?
    Collaborative divorce is a respectful, non-court process where both spouses work with trained professionals—including lawyers, financial neutrals, and parenting experts—to reach solutions that fit their family.

  • Will I have to go to court?
    No. The collaborative process is designed to resolve issues outside of the courtroom.

  • How does it protect children?
    By focusing on cooperation instead of conflict, children are shielded from courtroom stress and parents work together on parenting plans.

Houston & Katy Collaborative Divorce, Probate, and Estate Attorney Legal Team

Meet the team

Meet Your Support Team


When you choose my firm, you are not navigating life’s transitions alone. I believe in working with clients as partners—listening to your concerns, respecting your goals, and building a path forward together. My role is to guide you with clarity and compassion, while connecting you with trusted professionals who can provide additional support when needed.


A Network of Trusted Professionals

Depending on your needs, I often collaborate with respected professionals in our community, including:

  • Financial Planners & CPAs – to address tax matters, asset division, and long-term planning

  • Mortgage & Real Estate Advisors – to guide decisions about the family home or property sales

  • Mental Health Professionals – to support parenting plans, family dynamics, and emotional well-being

  • Parenting Coordinators & Neutral Experts – to keep children’s needs at the center of the process


My Philosophy of Teamwork

I believe legal representation should never feel isolating. When you work with me, you gain not only an advocate but also access to a wider circle of professionals who share my commitment to integrity, respect, and practical solutions. This collaborative approach ensures that every aspect of your family’s needs—legal, financial, and personal—is handled with care.


Why Choose My Firm

  • Personalized Attention – You work directly with me. I take time to understand your story and your goals.

  • Collaborative Approach – I focus on reducing conflict and preserving relationships whenever possible.

  • Comprehensive Guidance – With access to a trusted network, your legal, financial, and personal needs are supported.

  • Proven Leadership – My service in local and state bar associations keeps me at the forefront of collaborative law and probate practice.

  • Compassion + Practicality – I balance empathy with clear, actionable advice so you leave every meeting with clarity and confidence.


Next Step: If you are ready to take the first step, schedule a consultation today. Together, we will build a trusted team around you to protect what matters most.

Leslie Turnage

Collaborative Attorney
I work side-by-side with clients as partners, offering clear counsel and connecting you with trusted professionals when needed. From financial planners and mortgage advisors to mental health specialists and parenting coordinators, I ensure every aspect of your family’s needs is supported. My collaborative approach combines legal advocacy with a network of resources to help you move forward with confidence.