Trusts & Estates Litigation
Our dedication to understanding and serving financially successful and high-net-worth families is of particular value for our clients faced with fiduciary litigation, as these controversies may arise from family disputes and involve family partnerships and other family-owned business entities. Jackson Walker Trusts & Estates attorneys regularly work with beneficiaries, executors, and trustees to help them understand their rights and duties in these roles to mitigate risk and avoid disputes. When disputes do arise, we work quickly and assiduously to resolve them before they escalate into costly litigation, by developing resolution or settlement strategies or negotiating early settlements.
Unfortunately, litigation cannot always be avoided. Fiduciary disputes and litigation are particularly complex, requiring the skills of experienced trial attorneys as well as detailed knowledge of probate, trust, guardianship, and tax law. Jackson Walker’s seasoned fiduciary litigators work closely with our Trusts & Estates attorneys to reduce legal, monetary, and reputational risk while controlling costs and keeping the client’s long-term financial and family objectives in mind.
Our fiduciary litigators represent estate representatives, trustees, guardians, and beneficiaries in both contested and uncontested trust and estate matters. We have counseled both plaintiffs and defendants in jury trials, bench trials, injunction proceedings, alternative dispute resolution, and appellate matters across a broad range of estate and trust disputes, many involving sophisticated and complex issues. Our deep and broad expertise in these matters means we manage them efficiently and effectively for our clients.
Houston Jury Rules for NASA Widow, Awards $1.66 Million
A Harris County probate court jury has awarded Leslie Bean and the estate of her husband, NASA astronaut Alan Bean, $1.66 million in damages for counterclaims asserted against Amy Bean, Alan Bean’s daughter from a prior marriage, for her improper conduct as a co-executor of Alan’s estate.
“This is a big win for Leslie Bean as she works to make certain her husband’s life and work be honored and that Amy Bean is held accountable for her improper actions over the last five years,” said Jackson Walker partner Sarah Patel Pacheco, who represented Mrs. Bean at trial with fellow partner Joshua R. Flores.
Client Results • May 18, 2023
Settlement Reached in Simmons Family Trust Trial – Client of Jackson Walker Pleased with Outcome
On Tuesday, February 10, the Honorable Nikki DeShazo of Probate Court #1 of Dallas County approved the terms of settlement concluding the family’s internal battle for control over two family trusts. The conditions of the settlement include a total of over $50 million for Andrea Simmons Swanson and her lineal descendants.
Client Results • February 12, 1998
Jackson Walker’s Family Office and Trusts & Estates Litigation Teams Ranked in Chambers High Net Worth Guide
Jackson Walker proudly announces that Chambers and Partners, the world’s leading independent professional legal research company, has recognized Family Office and Trusts & Estates Litigation practices in the High Net Worth Guide released today. In addition, partners Lauren Ciminello and Sarah Patel Pacheco were ranked in their respective areas.
Spotlight • July 24, 2025
Family Office Practice Recognized in Chambers High Net Worth Guide; Sarah Patel Pacheco Ranked for High Net Worth Disputes
Chambers and Partners, the world’s leading independent professional legal research company, has recognized Sarah Patel Pacheco and our Family Office practice in its High Net Worth Guide for 2024.
Spotlight • July 18, 2024
Super Lawyers Names 31 Jackson Walker Attorneys in Texas Top Women 2024 Magazine
Jackson Walker congratulates the 31 attorneys who were included in the Texas Top Women 2024 Magazine published by Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers. The annual Texas Top Texas Women edition includes the highest-rated women attorneys across the “Texas Rising Stars” and “Texas Super Lawyers” lists in a given practice area.
Attorney News • January 11, 2024
Sarah Patel Pacheco to Discuss Best Practices for Bringing an Expert Witness to Trial at TexasBarCLE’s Fiduciary Litigation Course
Sarah Patel Pacheco will serve as a panelist during the luncheon presentation at the 18th Annual Fiduciary Litigation Course presented by the State Bar of Texas on December 14, 2023. The presentation, “Bringing Your Expert Witness to Trial,” will be moderated by Jason S. Scott (Osborne Helman Scott Knisley & Stanton) and will include Sarah Pacheco, Becky Beaver (Law Office of Becky Beaver), and Hon. Guy Herman (Travis County Probate Court No. 1).
Speaking Engagements • October 16, 2023
Jackson Walker Welcomes Wealth Planning and Fiduciary Litigation Group to Houston
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the arrival of five Houston litigators focused on probate, trust, and fiduciary litigation. The team is led by Sarah Patel Pacheco and includes Kathleen Tanner Beduze, Joshua R. Flores, Joe R. Savoie, and Jocelyn Thibodaux Slater.
Attorney News • January 10, 2022
‘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.
Attorney News • August 19, 2021
Examples of the types of cases our probate, trust and fiduciary litigation attorneys have handled include:
- Litigation involving will contests
- Representation of trustees of inter vivos trusts, testamentary trusts, and court-created trusts
- Litigation involving the interpretation, modification and construction of trusts
- Representation of executors, administrators and other fiduciaries against claims of breach of fiduciary duty
- Representation of heirs and beneficiaries seeking assets of trusts and estates
- Litigation involving competing claims to assets of trusts from estates
- Litigation involving the actions of trustees, executors, and agents acting under powers of attorney
