The Colony Estate Planning Lawyers

Entering her fourth decade as a practicing attorney, Gretchen Benolken has chosen to divide her professional time into a small handful of areas. First, she spends some time in the service of long time, loyal, existing clients with various needs. Second, the majority of her time is spent with new clients, providing legal services in two specific areas: a) the drafting of wills and trusts for the purpose of protection of assets, and b) representing clients in the probating of the estates of their deceased loved ones and guiding them step-by-step through this judicial process during what is a most...

Laura Starr joined the firm in 2014. Laura received her undergraduate degree from Texas Christian University, graduating with a B.S. in political science. Laura attended law school in Chicago, Illinois at DePaul University College of Law where she received a certificate in business law. During law school, Laura externed for the Honorable Michael F. Otto at the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois and was a member of the International Commercial Arbitration Moot Team. She was also a member of the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity. As a member of Starr Law Firm, P.C. Laura focuses in the areas of...

I grew up in Grayson County and currently live in Sherman, Texas. I graduated from Austin College in 2008, and I have been practicing law in Texas since I graduated from law school in 2011. My practice has been devoted to family law, probate, and estate planning, and I have handled cases in numerous counties throughout north Texas. I am a partner at the law firm of Mackoy, Hernandez, Jones, & Woods, LLP, and I manage an active caseload in Grayson, Collin, and Denton Counties. I have been active in the legal community and maintain memberships in...

Hi, my name is Ryan Russo and I am an estate planning attorney. I have worked in a variety of legal settings including private law practice to supporting large firms. I have handled legal matters in a multitude of areas of law, including estate planning, wills, probate, civil litigation, and more. I graduated summa cum laude from the University of Texas at Arlington and obtained my law degree from South Texas College of Law, where I was an Associate Editor and Published Author for the Corporate Counsel Law Review. I have had a passion for business and entrepreneurship since a young...

Jake is an estate planning attorney and the owner of Estes Law Office, P.L.L.C., with offices in Frisco, Texas (principal office) and McKinney, Texas. His practice is specifically limited to estate planning (i.e. Wills and trusts), probate administration, probate litigation, guardianship (contested and uncontested guardianship matters), and business entity formation. Previous to opening Estes Law Office, P.L.L.C. in 2014, Jake was an estate planning/probate associate attorney at The Law Office of M. Todd Estes, P.C. in Sherman, Texas. In addition to this experience, Jake had the pleasure of serving as an Assistant District Attorney at the Grayson County...

With almost twenty-five (25) years of experience as a dual-licensed Attorney and Certified Public Accountant, Darryl V. Pratt has practiced law in all areas of corporate and business law, non profit law, estate planning, probate, guardianship, asset protection planning, bankruptcy (Chapters 7, 13 and 11), real estate, and taxation. Mr. Pratt focuses his practice on business representation and estate planning-probate and is a regular speaker on a variety of business law, non profit law, estate planning, asset protection, tax, bankruptcy, real estate and taxation topics. Mr. Pratt is a member of the Collin County, Denton County and Dallas...

At Colbert Law Group PLLC, we understand that taking on legal challenges can be daunting, and we are here to help. Our team will work with you every step of the way to ensure that you have a clear understanding of your rights and options. We promise to provide consistent commitment and dedicated assistance so that you can rest assured knowing that you are in good hands. At Colbert Law Group PLLC, we have been representing clients in Texas and Oklahoma since 1992. Our experienced team will work with you one-on-one to ensure that your rights are protected and that you...

As a seasoned attorney currently practicing in the areas of family law and probate, my goal is to tenaciously fight for my clients while always taking time to provide compassionate communication and exceptional client service. As a litigator, I am involved in every step of a client's case - from intake to final trial. During a case, I take the time to listen to and know my clients, because I know that clear and regular communication is one of the most important pieces of practicing law.

Welcome to Atrium Legal Group – Gateway to Comprehensive Estate Planning Focusing on specific types of law allows our attorneys to understand the finite details of both simple and complex situations, quickly and efficiently. They work constantly to keep up on the latest tax, estate, and business laws to ensure the plan you put together will continue to work for you, as things change. When you sit down with one of them, they will always: factor in the probate process, possible tax ramifications, and the validity of the pieces you’ve put in place. Then they help you understand how to minimize the...

Although Ms. Davis specializes in construction litigation, she has a general practice which includes handling all problems from corporate inception to dissolution, partnership formation and disputes, real estate law, consumer litigation, contract disputes, and appeals.

ABOUT BEN
Dallas-based attorney Benjamin Palatiere is a courtroom veteran with over 10 years of experience helping individuals, families, and businesses in civil disputes.


Education

Texas Wesleyan University School of Law, 2008
Texas State University, magna cum laude, 2005


Licensed/Admitted

Benjamin is admitted to the Texas Bar and licensed to practice in all district and county courts at law throughout the state.


Groups / Clubs

Dallas Young Lawyers Association
Sigma Alpha Epsilon

Mr. Montgomery is a dual-credentialed attorney and CPA. He is the founder and managing member of Provident Legal Counsel, PLLC. His primary practice areas include federal tax planning, preparation, controversies, and litigation; business planning and structuring; business advising and litigation; trust and estate planning; real estate transactions; and forensic investigations.

Albin Yates Balius Roach believes in aggressively preserving the truth for our clients while advancing the integrity of the profession. We also recognize that we cannot successfully cast a positive vision for our clients’ futures without possessing one for ourselves. The attorneys, paralegals and support staff of Albin Yates Balius Roach have chosen to commit their time and talent to the firm because we believe in the firm’s priorities and its future.

Daniel Dower was born in Dallas, Texas in 1972. He graduated from the Texas Academy of Math & Science at University of North Texas before moving on to complete a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at University of Texas at Dallas, a Master’s degree in Business Administration from South Methodist University, and Juris Doctor from Southern Methodist University School of Law.

Daniel has a long career as a financial executive, including a long tenure as CFO for CHI Investment Corporation, a local real estate investment company. He also served as President of Boo Koo Beverages, Inc. and engaged in...

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...

Taylor Mohr distinguishes herself by offering effective, affordable, and compassionate legal services. Her practice focuses on family law in Williamson and Travis counties. She is a member of the Williamson County Bar Association, Texas Bar Association, Texas Trial Lawyers Association and the Baylor Law Alumni Association.

Taylor graduated from the Baylor Law School. She attended this prestigious university with a full-tuition scholarship. As a law student, she balanced her studies with a variety of extracurricular work, serving as Secretary and Executive Vice-President for the Student Bar Association and working as an editing assistant for professor Gerald Powell, director of...

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....

Duncan is the sole shareholder of the firm whose practice primarily focuses on estate planning, trusts, business matters, and construction law. He graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1977 with a business administration degree in accounting and finance and earned his law degree from SMU in 1980.

Duncan has more than thirty-five years of legal experience and has been admitted to practice in the United States Tax Court, United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, and Fifth Circuit of the United States Court of Appeals.

During the three years Inside Collin County Business conducted its annual awards,...

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 Attorneys, PLLC, where he continued 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. Most recently, Christman Attorneys merged with another firm and is now Christman, Ramsey & Foster PC. The firm offers legal services in the practice areas of Business/Corporate, Family Law, Civil Litigation, Estate Planning, Real Estate, and Title...

Attorney John Haugen has been serving the needs of his community and nation for his entire life. He graduated from West Point and then went on to spend five years as an U.S. Army Captain. After he was honorably discharged, he continued his higher education at USC, then received his Juris Doctor as Texas Wesleyan School of Law. Currently, he is a member of the Dallas County Bar Association, Denton County Bar Association, and the Tarrant County Bar Association. He is licensed to practice in all Texas courts, and advocates for clients who are facing family law matters, criminal defense...

AV Rated
40 plus years of experience
Less than 14% of attorneys throughout the entire United States are “AV” Rated
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We have limited our practice to Estate Planning and Taxation. And we are dedicated to giving you the legal solutions and tools you will need to plan and build for your future with confidence.


Member of The College of the State Bar of Texas
The College of the State Bar of Texas is an honorary society of lawyers who are among the best trained attorneys in Texas. Members are qualified attorneys who are interested in both high ethical standards and improved training for...