This area includes probate matters such as will contests, will construction, and removal of an administrator.
Matters including trust contests, trust terminations, breaches of fiduciary duty, and removals of trustees
A branch of estate litigation, this area focuses on inheritances when no will is found and includes common-law spouse determinations
Occurs when a minor or adult is incapacitated and needs the probate court to appoint someone to assist in handling their affairs.
Partner
Board certified in estate planning and probate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Partner
Twice selected by Texas Lawyer’s as Texas’s “Go-To” attorney for trust and Estate matters.
Partner
Jay served as Chairman of the Probate Trusts and Estates Section of the Dallas Bar Association.
Partner
Fred has been with the firm since 1994 and has given back to the Probate community serving as chairman of the Probate section and as a DVAP mentor.
Partner
Melinda is licensed in both New York and Texas and handles many of the firm’s guardianship cases.
Partner
A Thomson Reuters 2023 rising star. Tanner focuses much of her work on guardianships and administrations.
Partner
Patrick is a graduate of Baylor University and assists with general probate litigation work.
Associate
The most recent addition to the firm. Michael assists with general probate litigation work.
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Make a RequestOur firm ranks among the top tier in Texas receiving an “AV” rating in the Martindale-Hubble Law Directory, the highest given by the organization. The Firm is also listed under its Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers. Individually, some lawyers in our firm have been recognized among the state’s best attorneys. For example, Jim Jr., and Will have both been recognized by Thomson Reuters as Super Lawyers from 2003-2017, Jim Jr., was also recognized by Texas Lawyer as 2013’s Go-To Lawyer in Trust and Estate Law, and Tanner Hartnett & Jay Hartnett was named as Rising Stars by Thomson Reuters in 2019 & 2004 respectively.
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In October 2024, Thomson Reuters named Will and Jim as two of their Super Lawyers in the trust and estates field. This award recognizes Will and Jim’s expertise and reputation in the field.
Tanner was named a Rising Star by Thomson Reuters in their annual publication of top lawyers under 40.
The Dallas Bar Association’s Probate, Trust, & Estate’s Section honored Tanner Hartnett’s decade of service to probate and guardianship pro bono legal issues across DFW and awarded her The Honorable Nikki DeShazo Pro Bono Award.
Tanner was named a Rising Star by Thomson Reuters in their annual publication of top lawyers under 40.