Bell County Estate Planning Lawyers

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Economics, Baylor University
Juris Doctor, Baylor University School of Law
Clerked with the Dallas Probate Court under the Honorable Judge Nikki DeShazo. Served as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) following children through the termination of their parents' rights.
Worked with Arlington elder law attorney Charles Kennedy on probate, guardianship, and bankruptcy matters. Worked as an Attorney Advisor to the U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Disaster Assistance, closing loans for homeowners and businesses in the wake of the Gulf Coast hurricanes.
Prior to law school, spent 5 years as a web and database programmer for companies including...

Attorney Keith Morris is the founding attorney of Keith Morris & Stacy Kelly, Attorneys at Law. Mr. Morris graduated from Texas A & M University in 1997. He achieved his Juris Doctor at the University of Houston Law Center in 2001. Since then Mr. Morris has devoted himself to the practice discipline of probate administration as well as litigation involving estates, probate, guardianships, fiduciary duty, commercial, and other general litigation. His firm represents individuals, small businesses, and larger corporations with general legal assistance, mediation, and litigation. Mr. Morris has been named a 2015 Texas Super Lawyer, an H Texas Magazine...

Whitney has been in the practice of law for 20 years. She specializes in Estate Planning, Probate and Business Incorporation.

Paula Lock Smyth is a family law attorney who is dedicated to providing effective and efficient representation to clients in Dallas, Texas, and the surrounding communities. She genuinely cares about her clients and invests in each and every case she handles, taking the time to ensure that clients understand all of their options so that they can make informed decisions about what is right for their family.

Ron Smeberg has extensive experience in all aspects of complex business law. From forming, organizing, and acquiring businesses through turning around and reorganizing businesses, Ron is your attorney. When it comes to turning businesses around or chasing bad actors in bankruptcy, Muller Smeberg has the lawyers you need.

Ron Smeberg represents debtors in bankruptcy matters and has an extensive track record of resolving complex financial matters both in and out of bankruptcy. His accomplishments include reorganizing a public company in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy as well as being one of very few...

We deliver the counsel you need, the legal planning you want and a relationship you can trust, at a price you can afford. What we protect: Everything that matters to you. The assets most often lost between generations are intangible - Time, Energy, Attention and Money, Values, Insights, Stories, and Experience. Our planning process ensures everything from your financial assets to your values to your voice are protected during your life and for generations to come. Documents aren’t good planning, they come from good planning. For that reason, we always begin with a Planning Session to guide you to...

Mr. Deffenbaugh can offer over thirty years of legal expertise in an array of legal areas. He has worked on cases involving contracts, probate, taxation, insurance, real estate, oil and gas, business startups, and credit unions. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration from St. Mary’s University in 1975 and become a Certified Public Accountant in 1977. Mr. Deffenbaugh went on to complete his Master of Business Administration at the University of Texas at San Antonio in 1982. He received his Doctor of Jurisprudence from St. Mary’s University Law School in 1992. Mr. Deffenbaugh has been a small business owner for...

Board Certified in Estate Planning and Probate Law by Texas Board of Legal Specialization and CPA

Brooke is a passionate advocate for her clients both inside and outside the courtroom. Brooke understands that when her clients come to see her, they are often dealing with a lot of emotions, sometimes good and sometimes bad, but she handles their case with care and guides them to a solution. Brooke practices family law, including divorce, child custody, child support, adoptions, gestational agreements, pre & post marital agreements, and the list goes on. Brooke also leads the firm's estate planning and probate department. Call Brooke today to see how she and the Branch Law Firm...

My practice is focused on representing clients in a wide variety of matters pertaining to tax planning, tax controversy, and estate planning. I regularly assist clients with resolving federal and state tax controversies, and have represented individuals, closely held businesses, and large corporations in IRS audits, appeals and litigation in the United States Tax Court and the United States District Court. I have also represented taxpayers in disputes with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. I handle the formation of business entities and non-profit organizations, mergers and acquisitions, tax-free reorganizations, and state and local taxes. Additionally, I have assisted with...

I became a lawyer for a cliched but true reason - I wanted to help people. Today, that desire remains the heart of my law practice. I am passionate about helping my clients solve their problems - whether that’s how to start a new business, understanding what their contract says, or planning for their family’s future. I cut my teeth at “Big Law” firms, where I learned how to analyze, research, negotiate, and strategize from some of the best attorneys in the state of Texas. Over the course of my career, my natural curiosity and love of learning have given...

Steven C. Holman has been a licensed attorney for the past fourteen years. He comes from a family of estate planning attorneys that have been in practice for over 35 years. Steven received his law degree from Whittier Law School and an LLM from Boston University. He received an undergraduate degree in Economics from Willamette University. Steven is licensed to practice in Texas and California.

Darren Harrington is a shareholder whose principal area of practice is focused on representing local, national, and international corporations and their officers in cases involving trade secrets, non-compete agreements, union issues, personnel, and government regulatory matters. He has been recognized as one of the premier Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defense counselors in the country, and is regularly called upon by employers to enforce and defend against restrictive covenants such non-compete and non-disclosure agreements, as well as defend against claims under the various anti-discrimination in employment statutes, the minimum wage and overtime requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act...

We are a Houston, Texas bankruptcy and tax specialty practice. We primarily serve the North Houston, Texas area. We are conveniently located near Cypress, Tomball, The Woodlands, Spring, Magnolia, Katy and many surrounding north Houston, Texas neighborhoods and suburbs. We help people save their home and stop foreclosure, stop repossession, stop garnishment, stop IRS and get a fresh start.

I was born and raised in the farmlands of the Midwestern United States. I earned an Associate in Science degree from Lincoln Trail College, marking a significant milestone as the first person in my family to obtain a college degree. My educational journey continued at Southern Illinois University, where I achieved both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Organic Chemistry. My legal education began at the University of Houston and concluded at Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis, Indiana, where I graduated with a Juris Doctorate cum laude in 2008. During my time in law school,...

I'm Caroline Ortego, I'm an Estate planning and probate attorney, soccer mom and plant lover. I was born and raised in Louisiana. In 2008, I graduated from LSU Law and moved to Texas the very next year. I have been here ever since. There are so many I love about living in Texas like going to the Katy ISD Livestock Show and Rodeo and eating all the tacos I can get my hands on. With my law firm, Ortego Law Firm, I am committed to the families and individuals of Katy, TX and surrounding areas by providing compassionate, personalized...

Stephanie was born and raised in Katy, Texas. She graduated from the University of Houston Law Center where she participated in the Educational Rights Clinic, Juvenile Law Clinic, Immigration Clinic, and the Alternative Dispute Resolution team. Through her work in the legal clinics, she had the privilege of zelalously advocating for her various clients. Stephanie is well versed in the financial aspects of divorce, having received her accounting degree from the University of Houston Honors College with cum laude honors, particularly as it affects real estate, retirement accounts, and business ownership. Stephanie’s passion for the legal profession, attention to detail, and professionalism...

In 2009, Drew Christman founded a law firm where he practiced law with his partners for nine years. In 2018, he parted ways with his then partners and formed Christman | Daniell Attorneys, where he continues to provide clients with outstanding legal representation in a variety of practice areas. He was voted “Best Business Attorney” in Denton County in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021, and the firm has received similar accolades in Family and Business Law in the years since. Christman | Daniell Attorneys offers legal services in the practice areas of Business/Corporate, Family Law, Civil Litigation, Probate, Real Estate,...

Born New York, N.Y., April 14, 1951 admitted to Bar: 1982, Texas; 1983, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas; 1984, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit; 1986, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas; 1989, U.S. Supreme Court. Education: Paris Junior College, Paris, Texas (A.A. 1971); Trinity University (B.A., cum laude, 1973; M.F.A., 1976); Southern Methodist University (J.D., 1982). Adjunct Professor, Business Law, University of North Texas, 1992-1993. Lecturer, Lewisville Library Law Lectures, 1984-1986. Member, College of the State Bar of Texas, 1989-1998. Diplomate, National Institute for Trial Advocacy. Associate, Durand & Associates, P.C., 1990-2015. Sole Practitioner, 1986-1990....

"I have always been of the opinion that unpopularity earned by doing what is right is not unpopularity but glory".(Marcus Tulius Cicero)

CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY - Cynthia Guerra Attorney is a native Texan, passionately protecting the accused for more than 26 years.
She received her Doctor of Jurisprudence from Texas Southern School of Law and has been licensed in the State Bar of Texas since 1991 and in the Southern Federal District since 1994. Since opening her practice, she has defended a variety of cases from murder to DWI.
When choosing a Texas criminal lawyer you...

Attorney Mark Nacol has been serving clients in the Dallas / Fort Worth Metroplex for over 30 years. Mark offers legal advice and representation in a broad scope of practice areas, with an emphasis on the following: - Civil Litigation - Commercial Litigation - Family Law & Divorce - Fathers Rights - Business Transactions - Intellectual Property - Probate Law and Will Contests - Real Estate Litigation Mark Nacol has a reputation as a smart and tough advocate who has a natural ability to communicate...

I am an Associate Attorney and focus my practice on litigating and forming business entities, guardianships, probates, and estate planning. I am committed to assisting my clients with their legal needs in some of the most important moments of their lives. I work to ensure their goals are reached no matter the complexity. I attended the University of Oklahoma College of Law and graduated with my Juris Doctorate. In my spare time, I enjoy watching my Oklahoma State Cowboys athletic teams, playing basketball, and learning more about historical events.

Clark S. Willingham is engaged in estate planning and taxation, handling the formation and governance of business entities, real estate transactions and governmental relations in Washington, D.C and Austin.

Mr. Willingham was born in Houston, Texas in 1944. He received an Accounting degree from Texas Tech University in 1967. He received his Juris Doctor Degree from the Dedman School of Law at SMU in 1971 and his LLM in Taxation in 1984. He was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 1971. Mr. Willingham is a member of the American Law Institute, the American Bar Association, the State Bar of...

Coleman Jackson is managing shareholder of the law firm Coleman Jackson, P.C., a regional law firm in Dallas, Texas representing clients from around the world. Attorney Jackson provides caring, thorough and professional representation for people who need help with federal & state tax matters, contracts litigation issues, and immigration concerns.

Licensed attorney offering Estate Planning services in the State of Texas through in-person and virtual settings. The Law Office of John Garland offers Wills, Islamic Wills (Shariah Compliant), Professional Wills, Power of Attorney, Guardianship and Medical Directives.

John Freeman's primary areas of practice are employment law, civil litigation and related areas of business litigation. He regularly advises clients regarding employment law practices, non-competes, discrimination and other employment related matters.

Mr. Freeman was born in Jackson, Tennessee, in 1945. He received his bachelor's degree from Baylor University in 1967, and served in the United States Navy from 1967 – 1969 as a Supply Officer aboard the USS Duval County, LST-758. He attended law school at the Vanderbilt University School of Law, where he was an Associate Editor of the Vanderbilt Law Review in 1972 and 1973, and from which...

Maria "Marisol" Trottier

Ms. Trottier obtained her law degree from George Washington University Law School. She moved to Texas in 1997 and focused initially on representing commercial lenders.
Since 2015, Ms. Trottier has been in private practice, focusing on probate proceedings, estate planning, trusts, and other closely related areas of the law.
When she is not practicing law, Marisol enjoys spending quality time with her teenage son, family, and friends. She enjoys yoga, any type of activity in nature (tennis, biking), and perfecting her proficiency in Spanish. Marisol was born in Chile and moved to the United States as a young...

Matthew Gilpin began working for McCathern as a partner in 2018 and his practice primarily focuses on probate matters, estate administrations, and inheritance issues in the North Texas region.

Mr. Gilpin’s probate experience involves managing all aspects of cases – legal and administrative – from start to finish. This includes helping his clients find the most efficient and cost-effective solutions to settling estate matters. Additionally, he advises clients regarding estate planning and asset protection and he drafts trusts, wills, directives, releases, and other estate planning documents.

Mr. Gilpin firmly believes that to create the most effective estate plan, it must be...

Texas Real Estate Litigation Attorney; Real Estate, Business, Civil Litigation; and Estate Planning & Probate

Serving Houston, Humble, Kingwood, Atascocita, and surrounding areas.

Thomas H. Smith III was born and raised in Arlington, Texas. He graduated from Texas A&M University in 2002 with a degree in Chemistry and a minor in Mathematics. He then attended the University of Houston Law Center where he served as an Articles Editor for the Houston Journal of International Law. Tom began working at Roger G. Jain & Associates as a clerk in February 2004. When he graduated from UH Law Center in 2005, he continued here as an attorney, where he has worked through today. He is a trial lawyer, whose insight, analysis, and attention to detail have...

Mrs. Freed has been practicing in the areas of Estate planning and Administration for over 8 years. Estate planning may include Wills, Trusts, Asset protection, special needs trusts and tax planning related to IRAs, 401Ks and other tax deferred plans. Estate Administration may include Probate, Heirship determination, family settlement agreements, and federal estate tax return preparation.

As a board certified specialist in family law, I diligently and zealously represent clients in all aspects of family law, including divorce, complex property division and retirement, custody and support, alimony, adoptions, as well as modification of prior court orders.

Another area of emphasis is wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and probate and administration of estates. Planning ahead is important in this hectic time, giving your loved ones the protection they need. Probate need not be complicated, and can be expeditiously handled by an experienced attorney such as David Biles.

In 2020, I left a large national law firm to open the Law Office of Andrew D. Thomas. I was frustrated with the limitations of big law and believed there was a better way to practice law. I started the Law Office of Andrew D. Thomas so I could provide exceptional legal service with small town values at prices real people can afford.

We are a client-services firm. We provide honest and accurate assessments of clients' legal needs. We keep clients informed each step of the way and promptly respond to all inquiries. We appropriately staff and work our cases. We...

Joshua Scott Milam is the owner and managing partner of Milam Law Firm. Milam Law Firm skillfully handles cases in various legal fields (including Tax, Family, Business, Criminal, and Personal Injury), with the bulk of the practice involving litigation. Milam Law Firm also has substantial experience with contracts and estate planning. The firm always strives to provide the best possible representation of clients with a particular focus on the firm motto of "Honesty. Integrity. Results." Milam Law Firm's founder, Joshua Scott Milam, earned his Juris Doctor and Master of Laws in Taxation from Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law, where...