Leslie Turnage, Attorney at Law

YOUR STORY. 

MY ADVICE.

Planning for the Future

Thoughtful planning can protect your family, preserve your legacy, and reduce the risk of future probate, fiduciary, or guardianship disputes.

As Texas Fiduciary, Probate, and Guardianship Counsel, I help individuals and families create practical estate plans that clearly document their wishes, appoint trusted decision-makers, and prepare for incapacity or death.

Essential Planning Documents

• Last Will and Testament

• Durable Power of Attorney

• Medical Power of Attorney

• Directive to Physicians

• HIPAA Authorization

• Appointment of Guardian

• Declaration of Guardian

• Revocable Living Trusts, when appropriate

Each plan is tailored to the client’s family circumstances, assets, priorities, and long-term objectives.

Schedule a Estate Planning Strategy Consultation to begin building a plan that protects your family and your future.

ESTATE OF YOUR LOVED ONE.
MY ADVOCACY.

Collaborative Probate

Probate disputes often arise when heirs, beneficiaries, fiduciaries, or family members have different expectations concerning property, inheritance, finances, or the administration of an estate. Traditional litigation can increase expense, delay resolution, and cause lasting damage to family relationships.

Collaborative probate provides a private, structured alternative. The parties work with counsel and, when appropriate, neutral professionals to exchange information, identify priorities, and develop practical solutions without immediately resorting to courtroom litigation.

Collaborative probate may be appropriate for:

• Disagreements among heirs or beneficiaries

• Concerns regarding an executor, administrator, or trustee

• Disputes involving estate property or inheritance

• Questions regarding estate administration or distribution

• Family conflicts that may benefit from structured negotiation

When appropriate, the collaborative process can preserve privacy, reduce conflict, control costs, and provide families with a more efficient and respectful path toward resolution.

Schedule a Probate Strategy Consultation to discuss the next steps in administering an estate.

YOUR FAMILY.
MY GUIDANCE.

Guardianship

When a loved one can no longer safely manage personal or financial affairs because of age, illness, disability, or incapacity, a guardianship may be necessary. Guardianship authorizes a qualified person to make decisions concerning the individual’s care, safety, finances, or property.

I guide families through Texas guardianship proceedings with careful attention to legal requirements, available alternatives, and the dignity and expressed wishes of the proposed ward.

Guardianship Services

• Establishing guardianship for an elderly parent or incapacitated adult

• Assisting families of young adults with special needs

• Evaluating alternatives to guardianship

• Preparing and filing guardianship applications and related pleadings

• Advising guardians regarding fiduciary duties and court requirements

• Assisting with annual reports, accountings, and ongoing administration

• Addressing contested guardianship and fiduciary concerns

Guardianship carries significant legal and fiduciary responsibilities. Clear, experienced guidance helps families protect vulnerable loved ones while navigating the process with confidence, care, and respect.

Schedule a Guardianship Strategy Consultation to discuss whether guardianship or another option may be appropriate for your loved

YOUR FUTURE.
MY GUIDANCE.

Collaborative Divorce

Collaborative divorce offers couples a private, structured alternative to courtroom litigation. Each spouse works with collaboratively trained counsel and, when appropriate, neutral financial and mental health professionals to develop practical, lasting agreements.

I guide clients through the process with thoughtful preparation, clear communication, and a focus on protecting children, preserving dignity, and helping families transition into their next chapter.

Collaborative Divorce Services

• Advising and representing clients throughout the collaborative process

• Coordinating with neutral financial and mental health professionals

• Negotiating property division and financial arrangements

• Developing parenting plans and child-related agreements

• Preparing settlement documents and final divorce pleadings

• Creating durable, family-centered solutions outside the courtroom

Collaborative divorce allows spouses to maintain greater privacy and control over important decisions while reducing conflict, protecting relationships, and avoiding the financial and emotional cost of contested litigation.

Schedule a Collaborative Divorce Strategy Consultation to discuss whether the collaborative process may be the right approach for your situation.

Fiduciary Counsel and Disputes

Executors, administrators, trustees, and guardians have important legal responsibilities. Disputes may arise when heirs, beneficiaries, or interested parties question how assets are managed, protected, accounted for, or distributed.

As Texas Fiduciary, Probate, and Guardianship Counsel, I advise fiduciaries, heirs, and beneficiaries regarding their rights, responsibilities, and available legal remedies.

Fiduciary Counsel and Dispute Services

• Advising executors, administrators, trustees, and guardians

• Representing heirs and beneficiaries

• Reviewing inventories, accountings, and distributions

• Addressing delayed administration or distributions

• Resolving disputes involving estate, trust, or guardianship property

• Evaluating alleged breaches of fiduciary duty

• Pursuing or defending removal and surcharge claims

• Negotiating private resolutions when appropriate

Fiduciary matters often involve significant assets, sensitive relationships, and complex legal duties. Clear and strategic counsel helps protect the client’s interests while working toward a legally sound resolution.