Cross Roads Estate Planning Lawyers

I tried over 50 jury trials and, as a trial lawyer, I loved every minute of it, but as a human being, I came to realize that a trial in a courtroom is no place to restructure a family who is having to go through a divorce. The courtroom will finalize a divorce, but the collateral damage done to a family, especially the children, in a trial, is something from which they (and future generations) many never recover. Even though over 95% of all cases are settled before trial, few people consider the difference in a case that is settled...

I was born and raised in Denton, Texas and graduated from Denton High School in 1998. My mother is and has been a physician in Denton since 1980. I feel that my educational background in science, business, and law gives me a unique perspective on any dispute including those involving complex business structures. Additionally, due to my experience with small businesses, I understands the issues and potential obstacles that affect them as well.

I received my law degree from Texas Wesleyan University School of Law in 2008. Prior to law school, I received an undergraduate degree in Mechanical...

A dedicated advocate for her clients, Jill is experienced in serving clients in a wide range of legal needs. Born and raised in Denton, she is very involved in the local community and has been recognized with numerous awards. For instance, She was appointed by the Governor of Texas to the Texas Woman’s Board of Regents and was elected Chair of the Board in 2019. Jill graduated from Denton Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Denton program and currently serves as Board Chair of the Chamber. Jill was voted Best Civil Lawyer in the “Best of Denton County” publication (for 2016,...

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.

David S. Bouschor, II is a 1991 graduate of the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. Mr. Bouschor was a sole practitioner and a shareholder in a previous law firm until January 2000 when he opened The Law Office of David S. Bouschor, II, P.C. in Denton, Texas. For over twenty-five years, Mr. Bouschor’s legal practice has consisted of Family Law, Guardianship, and Probate. Since 1995 Mr. Bouschor has been Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization - a certification awarded to lawyers who have proven specialized knowledge of state laws, codes and who have...

Hunter Sargent is an experienced attorney who has been licensed to practice law in Texas since 2014. He is the founder and managing attorney of Hunter Sargent, PLLC, quickly growing the firm into Denton's premier estate planning law firm. Hunter focuses his practice entirely on estate planning and business planning. Hunter obtained his law degree from Texas A&M School of Law in 2014. After graduating from law school, Hunter began his legal career by working as an attorney in Denton, where he gained extensive experience in estate planning and business law. He then founded his own law firm, Hunter Sargent, PLLC,...

With over twenty-eight years of experience, Jennifer Ramos joined the Bouschor legal team with a focus on Family Law & Probate Law. A graduate of Baylor School of Law, Jennifer is fluent in Spanish and offers a diverse experience and unique skill set in order to achieve the best possible outcome for her clients. Jennifer began her legal career with Legal Aid of West Texas (Fort Worth) and then served as Managing Attorney at the Denton branch of Legal Aid of Northwest Texas. Jennifer launched her private practice in 2012. The servant heart of her own parents is a driving influence...

I began my legal career as a prosecutor in my hometown of Marshall, Texas. During that time, I gained valuable experience handling cases involving juvenile and domestic violence crimes. Simultaneously, I started assisting family and friends with wills, real estate transactions, and entity documents. It was during this period that I discovered my passion for these practice areas, leading me to shift my focus to estate planning and probate matters in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. I also briefly worked at a title company, further enhancing my practical experience. Continuing my commitment to serving clients and advancing my legal knowledge, I...

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.

Mr. Kollmeier is Board Certified in Family Law. The Law Office of Gary A. Kollmeier has been dedicated to providing competent and caring legal services in the areas of Family and Probate law since 1991. The firm provides comprehensive, superior, and respectful advocacy in an environment in which the clients receive full attention and loyalty with the highest level of personal legal services. It is our focus to educate our clients about the reality of what to expect in every aspect of their legal case. As a lawyer, Gary Kollmeier is committed to high standards, as evidenced by his certification...

Mr. Vaughan’s practice covers a wide array of intellectual property matters. He provides counsel to businesses and individuals who are seeking to establish and/or protect their portfolio of creative ideas, which may include copyrights, trademarks, patents, and trade secrets. Mr. Vaughan helps clients to identify, register, license, or transfer their own intellectual property; he also counsels clients on avoiding liability for infringement of others’ rights. Whenever conflict arises, Mr. Vaughan offers his clients a number of tools to achieve a cost-effective and desirable resolution. Having participated in mediations both as a party and as a trained mediator, Mr....

I am Alisha Melvin, Esq., I have been a practicing attorney for more than 10 years, a licensed broker of real estate since 1998, and a minority woman-owned (MWBE) business owner of both law offices and real estate brokerages in four states. I am extremely proficient in real property, probate and estates law. In addition, I broker the sale and purchase of commercial and residential real estate. I have consistently been a multi-million dollar producer in real estate sales. I represent individuals, churches, schools, cities, counties and state entities. In my spare time, I teach Legal Update...

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...

Chris M. Kirker is a Texas trial lawyer handling highly contested divorce and custody matters. Chris has been successfully handling divorce and custody cases for years and places intense focus and attention on every client he works with. While most cases do not go to trial, Chris knows the importance of being ready for trial should it become necessary. After successfully handling many divorce and custody matters Chris has received numerous awards related to his prior clients’ satisfaction with his work. He has been named a Top 100 Trial Lawyer in the State of Texas by the National Trial Lawyers (2014-2023)....

I work with clients to help them succeed, whether this involves setting up a new business, working with them to understand and comply with complicated federal and state laws, developing their estate plan and preparing the necessary documents, or helping them resolve their firearm legal issues.

I can work with you by providing the following legal services:

(1) Business Law: Work with businesses owners to plan their organization, develop the legal documents necessary to get their business started, and address their ongoing legal concerns

(2) Regulatory Compliance: Work with business owners to help them understand and comply with statutory and regulatory requirements so...

Holly R. Davis is a founding partner of Kirker Davis LLP. An accomplished and nationally-recognized family law trial attorney with over ten years’ experience, her legal practice focuses on high asset divorce, business and professional divorce, custody matters, and complex litigation. With a strong professional reputation for her litigation and courtroom skills, Holly has successfully represented cases ranging from multi-million--and even billion dollar—estates, to divorces involving family businesses and young professionals. Her core business philosophy is based on fidelity to the practice of law and a commitment to client service. It’s a perspective which has yielded significant success, particularly...

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...

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.

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...

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.

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...

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...

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.

Chosen by peers as one of the Top 100 lawyers in the entire Dallas/Fort Worth region according to SuperLawyers magazine.

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

Katrina has been practicing law since 2015 and is a member of the Texas Bar College. Additionally, she is a Certified Guardian Ad Litem and Certified Civil and Family Law Mediator. Katrina’s practice focuses on divorce, child custody, estate planning, guardianship, real estate transactions and mediation services.

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...

Candace received her Juris Doctorate from Loyola University and has been an attorney for over 20 years. She is admitted and licensed to practice in all Texas and Louisiana Courts and over 15 Federal Jurisdictions including the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Candace's practice areas include: Real Estate Law (including real estate investors), Landlord/Tenant Law, Business set-up and governance, Contracts, Collections, Creditor's Rights, Asset Protection, Estate Planning, Probate and Successions. She is excited about helping her clients resolve legal matters as quickly as possible. Sometimes, all it takes is a phone call. Other times, may involve going to...

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...

Lisa R. Wilcox, Esquire has practiced law since 2004. Before graduating law school, Mrs. Wilcox owned and operated a popular South Tampa nightclub. Mrs. Wilcox graduated with her law degree from Stetson University College of Law in 2002. In 2003, she obtained a certificate of International Intellectual Property Law from Tulane Law School and graduated with honors with a Master of Law (LL.M.) in International and Business Law from Stetson University College of Law. Mrs. Wilcox is admitted to practice law in Texas and has sworn an oath before the Texas Bar to uphold this Code of Ethics. Mrs....

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...

Charlie Malolo is an Estate Planning Attorney in McKinney, Texas. For the last five years he has been helping people create meaningful legacies for their families and loved ones from his offices in McKinney, Texas, through estate planning services. Charlie graduated with a law degree from Texas Tech University School of Law in 2011. He has made it his mission since then to educate families on the complexities of planning for probate, as well as how to develop thoughtful and meaningful ways to leave a complete legacy for loved ones through estate planning.

Taylor Willingham is an experienced estate planning and probate attorney located in McKinney, Texas. He is the founder of The Willingham Law Firm, PC and creator of Posterity Planning. Our firm focuses exclusively on probate, elder law and estate planning to assist its clients with their testamentary and incapacity planning. A significant part of incapacity planning is assisting a client with Medicaid planning and helping veterans apply for aid and attendance.

Whether you need a will, trust, deed, Medicaid planning, VA benefits or are going through a probate, The Willingham Law Firm, PC can help. Contact us online today.

PRIOR EXPERIENCE
Prior to...

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....