Biography
Scott Schepps is a Partner in Jackson Walker’s Trusts & Estates section. For over 25 years, Scott has assisted clients in structuring their estates to ensure that their assets pass in a manner that meets the clients’ desires, reduces the potential for conflict and minimizes gift, estate and income taxes. Scott’s clients include closely held business owners, corporate executives, real estate developers, private equity firm principals, physicians, other attorneys, professional athletes and many others.
Scott understands the trust that his clients place in him when they request his assistance with their sensitive estate planning matters. For this reason, he ensures that he is accessible and responsive to his clients and works closely with the clients’ other advisors. Although Scott is professional and creative, clients describe him as practical and friendly. Scott strives to translate complex tax rules and strategies into plain English to enable his clients to make informed decisions.
Education
B.B.A., Accounting, University of Texas at Austin
J.D., University of Houston Law Center
Bar Admissions
Texas, 1992
Board Certifications
Estate Planning and Probate Law
Scott’s practice covers most aspects of wealth planning and probate, including but not limited to the following:
- Preparation of wills
- Preparation of incapacity documents (durable powers of attorney, living wills, medical powers of attorney, etc.)
- Preparation of revocable and irrevocable trusts
- Planning to minimize gift tax, estate tax and generation-skipping transfer tax
- Planning to maximize protection from unforeseen claims
- Business succession planning
- Planning with life insurance
- International estate planning
- Preparation and review of gift tax returns and estate tax returns
- Probate, estate administration and trust administration
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), Trusts and Estates Law, 2010-2023
- State Bar of Texas – Real Estate, Probate and Trust Law Section
- Houston Bar Association – Probate, Trust and Estate Section
- Chair, 2015-2016
- Council, 2006-2016
- Houston Estate and Financial Forum
- American Bar Association – Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section
- Sonnie Schepps Robinson Foundation, Director
November 1, 2022
Speaking EngagementsSarah Patel Pacheco and Scott Schepps to Discuss Estate Planning Considerations for Non-US Citizens
Sarah Patel Pacheco and Scott Schepps will discuss estate issues that non-U.S. citizens face when residing in the United States either temporarily or long-term. Presented by the Texas British-American Business Council (BABC), the webinar will also cover how to create an estate plan that will reduce future taxes and costs and minimize potential disputes between beneficiaries.
August 18, 2022
Attorney News‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 214 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2023 Edition, Including 11 “Lawyers of the Year” and 41 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 214 Jackson Walker attorneys across 6 offices and 79 specialty practice areas in its 2023 edition, including 11 Lawyers of the Year and 41 Ones to Watch. Best Lawyers listings are based on an exhaustive peer review survey of thousands of attorneys who vote on the legal abilities of others in their practice areas.
August 19, 2021
Attorney News‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 178 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2022 Edition, Including 8 “Lawyers of the Year” and 31 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 178 Jackson Walker attorneys across 6 offices and 67 specialty practice areas in its 2022 edition, including 8 Lawyers of the Year and 31 Ones to Watch. Best Lawyers listings are based on an exhaustive peer review survey of thousands of attorneys who vote on the legal abilities of others in their practice areas.
August 20, 2020
Attorney News‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 164 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2021 Edition, Including 9 “Lawyers of the Year” and 25 “Ones to Watch”
Jackson Walker congratulates the 164 attorneys who were selected by their peers as Best Lawyers, including 9 Lawyers of the Year and 25 Ones to Watch, across 6 offices and 66 specialty practice areas.
April 17, 2020
PodcastsEstate Planning Opportunities During an Economic Downturn
Jackson Walker partner Scott Schepps walks through some of the tools available to help mitigate the damages and help reduce the tax burden on the estate.
August 14, 2019
Attorney News‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 109 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2020 Edition, With Eight Named “Lawyers of the Year”
Jackson Walker congratulates our 109 attorneys named to U.S. News & World Report’s Best Lawyers in America 2020 list, including eight attorneys who were named “Lawyers of the Year.”
April 12, 2019
MentionsJackson Walker In the News: Four Trends Shaping Healthcare; Insurance Companies Face Off Over $54B Failed Merger; Eagle Ford 2021
During the first quarter of 2019, local and national news publications featured insights from 11 Jackson Walker attorneys on a variety of matters, ranging from safety in the aviation industry to the importance of self-care for attorneys.
August 16, 2018
Attorney NewsBest Lawyers in America Recognizes 98 Jackson Walker Attorneys
Best Lawyers listings are based on an exhaustive peer review survey of thousands of attorneys who vote on the legal abilities of others in their practice areas. For over three decades, recognition in Best Lawyers has been regarded by both clients and legal professionals as a significant honor, since an attorney cannot pay to be listed.
June 7, 2018
Mentions‘The New York Times’ Features Pet Inheritance Advice from Scott Schepps
In an article exploring options for estate planning for pets, Jackson Walker partner Scott A. Schepps discusses extravagant pet inheritances and his experience helping clients manage their assets.
April 13, 2018
MentionsScott Schepps Weighs-in on Estate Planning for Pets in ‘Houston Business Journal’ Q&A
With over 25 years of experience in wealth planning, Jackson Walker attorney Scott Schepps has handled numerous estate planning matters – not only for his clients, but for their pets as well.
- “Have a plan for your pets,” Tribune Online Content – Retire Ahead (February 2019)
- “The Pets Are All Right (Even Though You’re Gone),” The New York Times (May 24, 2018)
- “Q&A: Five shots with a Houston estate attorney on pets,” Houston Business Journal (April 6, 2018)