Probate, Trust, & Guardianship Administration

Jackson Walker’s Trusts & Estates attorneys assist and advise on a variety of probate and estate administration, trust administration, and guardianship matters.

Probate and Estate Administration

Probate and estate administration is a complex process that unfolds during the most difficult of times. Our dedication to understanding our clients and the needs of their family enables us to navigate them through this difficult time with as little interruption and frustration as possible. Our attorneys handle all filings before the probate court and are able to oversee the asset evaluation process, including obtaining valuations and preparing the required inventories. We also assist with creditors’ claims and estate distributions and can handle both federal estate tax returns and state death tax returns. When necessary, we represent estate beneficiaries in contested matters and negotiate settlements.

Trust Administration

Trusts are an important aspect of wealth planning and often key to maintaining harmonious family relations. We work closely with clients to construct the proper trust arrangements to meet their needs. We are then available each step of the way to see that the administration and distribution of the trust are handled smoothly and effectively. Our Trusts & Estates attorneys advise trustees as well as beneficiaries on both the legal and tax aspects and implications of trust administration. We provide guidance on construction, interpretation, revocation, and reformation of the trust in accordance with the trust agreement and compliance with state and federal law.

We often assist beneficiaries in understanding and, if need be, enforcing their rights to distributions, accounting information, and any additional information they are entitled to receive, particularly when there has been a breach of one or more fiduciary duties. We also advise on adjudication and dispute resolution when issues arise between beneficiaries and can assist in identifying and recovering trust assets when necessary.

Guardianship Administration

Jackson Walker Trusts & Estates attorneys establish and administer guardianships. Depending on the situation, we can assist with drafting powers of attorney and supported decision making agreements, representation of the guardian of the estate, the guardian of the individual, or the guardian ad litem, and the opening and closing of the guardianships for minors and incapacitated adults.

Heidi Angel

Heidi Angel

Partner, Fort Worth
817.334.7279

Mark Comuzzie

Mark Comuzzie

Partner, San Antonio
210.228.2426

Tyler P. Davey

Tyler P. Davey

Partner, Austin
512.236.2361

Tyson Ehlinger

Tyson Ehlinger

Associate, Austin
512.236.2041

Brian Merkley

Brian Merkley

Partner, Dallas
214.953.5976

Selby Rains

Selby Rains

Associate, Dallas
214.953.5892

Matthew R. Rodriguez

Matthew R. Rodriguez

Senior Counsel, Houston
713.752.4451

Joe R. Savoie

Joe R. Savoie

Senior Counsel, Houston
713.752.4363

Jocelyn Thibodaux Slater

Jocelyn Thibodaux Slater

Senior Counsel, Houston
713.752.4312

Justin Stone

Justin Stone

Associate, Dallas
214.953.6130

Austin Thomas

Austin Thomas

Senior Counsel, Houston
713.752.4272

Erin N. Tuggle

Erin N. Tuggle

Partner, Austin
512.236.2065

Harry Wolff III

Harry Wolff III

Partner, San Antonio
210.978.7772

July 28, 2023
Speaking Engagements

Sarah Patel Pacheco to Present Drafting Ideas for Trustees at UT Law CLE’s Estate Planning, Guardianship, and Elder Law Conference

Sarah Patel Pacheco to present at the 25th annual Estate Planning, Guardianship, and Elder Law Conference on August 10th, 2023. She will be discussing how to draft of the trustee in a challenging environment.

Kathleen Beduze with Jackson Walker logo

June 13, 2023
Speaking Engagements

Kathleen Beduze Presents on Temporary Guardianships and Emergency Relief to the Texas Guardianship Association

Kathleen Tanner Beduze presented a webinar on June 13, 2023, to Texas Guardianship Association members regarding the chapter she authored for the Texas Guardianship Manual, entitled “Temporary Guardianships and Other Emergency Relief.”

Skyline of the city of Houston

January 10, 2022
Attorney News

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.

More Probate, Trust, & Guardianship Administration News


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