Texas Real Estate Law
Business Law
Asset Protection in Texas

David J. Willis Attorney & Broker
LoneStarLandLaw.com
Houston, Texas

Real Estate Law

Houston Texas real estate attorney David J. Willis offers real estate law services online at competitive fees.

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Business Law

Consultations, LLC formation, investor transactions, and business documents available online.

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Asset Protection

Make a plan to defend your assets from lawsuits and judgments. Start with an Asset Protection Review.

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Welcome

Thank you for visiting our website, offered by David J. Willis Attorney & Broker of Houston, Texas. We represent buyers, sellers, and investors in Texas real estate transactions, prepare a wide variety of documents for businesses, and create comprehensive plans for the protection of our clients’ assets.

Our goal is the prompt delivery of high-quality custom services and documentation with an emphasis on creative solutions and asset protection. More than a traditional law firm, we also offer a full range of legal services online, having successfully assisted over a thousand online clients.

Read our 180+ five-star Google Reviews and our 50+ articles on Texas real estate law, Texas business law, and asset protection in Texas, then contact us with a description of your case.

Review our process for online consultations as well as a list of available legal services and fees.

“David’s knowledge of real estate law and transactions is superb . . . I have never encountered a more efficient or thorough process than that offered by David. I highly recommend him and his firm for any real estate related legal or transactional needs. He is simply impressive!”

Our Book: Real Estate Law & Asset Protection for Texas Real Estate Investors

Real Estate Law and Asset Protection 2020 Edition

2020 Edition – 452 Pages
New edition coming this year!

Contents and Reviews
Buy on Amazon.com
Buy on Barnes & Noble

“As an attorney I am familiar with David Willis’ expertise in real estate. If David wrote it, you can depend on it! I highly recommend David’s book.”

Online Services Available

Consultations and most routine document preparation tasks may now be handled online without the need for an office visit.

Our online consultation process has proven efficient and popular with clients because it is unrushed, there is ample opportunity for Q&A, and the client has a written email record of advice given. A follow-up phone or video call is available if needed.

“I’m an old school kind of guy so I prefer face-to-face meetings but David was only available for an online appointment when I needed him . . . . and I couldn’t be happier. David was thorough and prompt in his responses and the process was very smooth, informative, and educational.”

Faraad Mohamed
★★★★★

Real Estate and Business Legal Services

Real Estate Consultations & Documents

Real estate consultations

Residential and commercial real estate documents

Texas earnest money contracts (TREC and TAR): review, comment, and custom addenda

Closing documents: Texas warranty deeds, real estate lien notes, deeds of trust, leases, liens and lien releases, assignments, options, affidavits, powers of attorney, etc.

Deeding Property to an LLC

Co-ownership and percentage deeds

Seller financing in Texas

Dodd-Frank/SAFE Act compliance (excluding RMLO)

Creative real estate documents for real estate investors

“Subject to” contracts and closing documents

Wholesaling: sale and assignment of Texas contracts

Wraparounds in Texas

Assumption transactions in Texas

Leases and assignments of leases

Lien release against the Texas homestead

Texas homestead protections

Affidavits of heirship

Affidavits of adverse possession

Equity stripping for asset protection

Representation in Real Estate Transactions

Comprehensive representation from contract through closing

Residential and commercial real estate

Title commitment/Schedule C issues

Buyer due diligence

“As is” protection for sellers

Seller disclosure in Texas real estate

Avoiding deceptive trade practices

Due-on-sale issues

Meeting title company requirements

Meeting lender requirements

Environmental hazards & indemnity

Joint Tenancy with Survivorship

Partition of Texas real estate

Buying and selling real estate notes

FinCEN compliance (beneficial ownership rules)

Hard-money lending in Texas

Special-purpose entity formation

Assumed names in Texas real estate

Anonymity strategies in Texas real estate

Our attorney is also a real estate broker

See our 50+ articles on real estate, business law, and asset protection

Get in touch

Trusts for Texas Real Estate

Trusts for Texas real estate

Living trusts for the Texas homestead

Texas land trusts for investment property

Anonymity trusts for real estate investors

Trusts used in conjunction with Texas LLC formation

Read our article on living trusts in Texas

Houston Business Lawyer

Business law consultations

Business contracts and transactions

LLC formation – traditional LLCs and series LLCs

Asset protection structures for real estate investors

Partnerships and joint ventures

Purchase and sale of Texas businesses

Purchase and sale of business real estate

Loan documentation for business borrowers, lenders, and venture capital

Sale and assignment of LLC membership interests

Registered agent services

Entity Structuring for Asset Protection

The best way to deter litigation in Texas is to have an asset protection structure in place before trouble starts. Our entity-structuring advice is designed to achieve minimize liability, maximize anonymity, deter lawsuits, and insulate assets from judgments.

Inquire about our recommended two-company LLC structure for real estate investors. Used in combination with a living trust, the two-company structure can assist not only with anonymity but also probate avoidance for estate planning.

Entity layering (our hub-sub structure, for example) can be an important part of the asset protection process.

We are often able to simplify the way our clients do business while significantly improving their asset protection. For a visual approach, see various graphics of asset protection structures.

Series LLCs

We form both traditional and series LLCs in Texas and Nevada. We are also ready to advise you on the new Texas law relating to registered series and the effect on the wording of warranty deeds.

LLC Amendments and Conversions

If you have an existing LLC that was formed with only a minimal “one-pager” filing, we can re-document it with professional-grade Texas LLC documents and bring it current with the best in Texas asset protection law.

A properly-designed and documented LLC structure is essential for charging order protection and avoiding veil-piercing allegations.

We also handle conversions to a series LLC and from member-managed to manager-managed LLCs.

“David helped me every step of the way setting up my LLC. The process was incredibly well organized. He informed me of multiple options and provided guidance that I didn’t even realize I needed. Fees are very reasonable, especially considering the quality of service received. Highly recommend!”

David Willis with Rita Santamaria, Owner of Champions, Real Estate Schools

David Willis with Rita Santamaria, Owner of Champions Real Estate Schools

Asset Protection Review (APR )

The asset protection review is a two-hour analysis of circumstances and goals with recommendations for action to protect assets from lawsuits. It is an essential step if a client is uncertain about how to respond to litigation or execution on a judgment.

In terms of format, the APR is a dialogue between attorney and client, rather than a formal report. It is conducted entirely online supplemented by phone or video call as needed.

“David’s business model is simple, efficient, and transparent, and his fees are fair and reasonable. David has tremendous knowledge of the law in his area of practice. He wrote the book!”

Asset Protection – Ongoing Retainer

Clients facing a lawsuit, judgment, or post-judgment discovery need expert and ongoing guidance when it comes to protecting vulnerable assets and avoiding fraudulent transfers. We utilize the Texas Constitution, the Property Code, and case law to protect the Texas homestead, wages and salaries, retirement plans, and certain personal property from execution on judgments in Texas.

It is not uncommon for our asset protection planning to save a client tens of thousands of dollars.

“Six years ago, David guided me through implementing an asset protection plan. I was sued by two major banks. Both got six-figure judgments but no one collected a dime. David knows real estate law and asset protection!”

LLC Books

We form traditional LLCs and Series LLCs in Texas and Nevada

Asset Protection – Shelf Companies

We have a limited inventory of shelf companies established in Texas, Nevada, and Wyoming. These are LLCs (no corporations) that include our best anonymity and asset protection features. Shelf companies are ready for shipment to clients for whom time and quality are critical factors.

“David Willis is an excellent attorney. His online process was very efficient and easy. He obviously has this down to a science. He is by far the easiest attorney I’ve ever dealt with. I give him my highest possible recommendation without reservation.”

Qualifications and Experience

David J. Willis is a double board certified Texas lawyer on the cutting edge of the intersection of real estate law and asset protection. The innovative concepts and methods described in his book Real Estate Law & Asset Protection for Texas Real Estate Investors are changing the ways investors structure their Texas real estate investments.

Board Certified
Residential Real Estate Law
Texas Board of Legal Specialization

Board Certified
Commercial Real Estate Law
Texas Board of Legal Specialization

Texas Real Estate Broker

AV Rated for Ethical Standards and Professional Ability

Personal: Commercial pilot, black belt,
Colorado hiker. USC (JD), UH (LLM)

David J. Willis

Texas Real Estate Attorney

David and his staff were incredibly professional and quick with our new LLC setup and conversion and were able to do it all online. He is straightforward and will tell you what you can expect up front. We will be using his firm for our LLC needs in the future.

Read our 180+ Five-Star Google Reviews

Confidentiality and Ethics

Your inquiry is confidential. Adherence to high standards of ethics is part of our firm philosophy. We subscribe to The Texas Lawyer’s Creed and the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Realtors.

Legal Fees

Legal fees begin at $450. We are primarily a flat-fee office although hourly billing and retainer arrangements may be available in certain cases. Fees for in-office services are higher. We strive for 100% transparency in matters of fees and costs. View our comprehensive fee schedule.

Terms of Service

Our posted terms of service apply to all clients without exception in lieu of individual fee agreements or engagement letters. Please read these before retaining us.

Texas Real Estate Attorney

The principal location of the law office of David J. Willis Attorney is Houston, Texas although our practice is statewide. We serve Harris County, Fort Bend County, and Montgomery County as well as Houston, The Woodlands, Sugar Land, Conroe, Galveston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, Midland, Brownsville, El Paso, and all areas of Texas. Mr. Willis counsels clients in Texas real estate law, Texas business law, and is a Texas asset protection attorney for anyone forming an entity such as a real estate partnership or joint venture, a Texas series LLC, or a Nevada series LLC.

“Words cannot express how grateful my family and I are for Mr. Willis’ work . . . Initially, we were a bit hesitant, seeing as the only method of contact with this attorney would be online. However, his professionalism, knowledge, experience and interest he showed in our case quickly changed our minds. He truly made us feel as if we were his only clients, which really made us feel at ease in this very stressful and difficult situation . . . Mr. Willis did a lot more for us via online then the attorneys we did meet in person.”

“I have used the services of David Willis for over 10 years now for my real estate needs. He is the most accomplished attorney I have found. He has developed creative but sound solutions to many potential problems that I have encountered. He responds rapidly and as you know doing real estate improperly can cost you a ton. David Willis prevents those problems and assures you do it correctly.”

Practice Area Articles

Adverse Possession in Texas

Affidavits of Heirship in Texas

Anonymity in Texas Real Estate

Asset Protection in Texas

Assumed Names in Texas

Assumptions in Texas

Buying and Selling Real Estate Notes

Buying or Selling a Texas Business

Charging Orders in Texas

Co Ownership of Property

Deceptive Trade Practices

Deeding Texas Property to Lender in Anticipation of Foreclosure

Deeding Property to an LLC

Dodd-Frank Law in Texas

Deeds in Texas

Discovery Post Judgment

“Due-on-Sale” in Texas

Earnest Money Disputes in Residential Transactions

Email Professionalism

Equity Stripping for Asset Protection

Evictions in Texas

Executory Contracts in Texas

FinCEN Regulation of Real Estate Transactions

Foreclosure in Texas

Fraudulent Transfers in Texas

Hard Money Lending

Higher Priced Mortgage Loans

Homestead Protections in Texas

How to Use a Real Estate Lawyer

Joint Ventures in Texas

Judgments in Texas

Judgment Liens and The Texas Homestead

Land Trusts for Texas Investors

Lease-Options in Texas

Lease-Purchases in Texas

Lien Removal – All Lien Types

Lien Removal – Texas Homestead

Lis Pendens in Texas Real Estate

Litigation in Texas

Living Trusts for The Homestead

LLCs in Texas  – Company Formation

LLCs in Texas –  Governing Docs

LLCs in Texas -Tax and Banking Issues

LLCs in Texas – The Series LLC

Mediation in Texas

Mortgage Loan Fraud and Money Laundering in Texas

Owner Finance in Texas

Partition of Texas Property

Partnerships and Joint Ventures

Piercing The Veil in Texas

Redemption Issues for Investors

Registered Series and the Texas Series LLC

Residential Sales Contracts

Rights of First Refusal in Texas

Safe Act in Texas

Sale and assignment of LLC membership interests

Security Deposits in Texas

Seller Disclosure in Texas

Statute of Frauds in Texas

“Subject To” Transactions

Title Insurance in Texas

The Two-Company Structure for Real Estate Investors

Wholesaling in Texas

Wraparounds in Texas

Board Certified Texas Board of Legal Specialization
Best Real Estate Attorneys in Houston

Consumer Notices:

State Bar of Texas Notice to Clients
TREC Consumer Protection Notice
TREC Information about Brokerage Services (IABS)
Policies Applicable to All Cases and Clients
Policies Regarding Copying of Website Content

Office Meeting Address:

WorkSuites at the Galleria
5718 Westheimer, Suite 1000
(Westheimer at Bering Drive)
Houston, TX 77057

Contact:

Hours: 8 am – 6pm M-F
Phone: 713-621-3100
Fax: 832-201-5321
Contact Us

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