Following graduation from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, I went on to receive my J.D. in 1998 from Texas A&M University School of Law. From seeing clients to speaking to people and groups of all ages, I love educating people about advance care planning, probate, estate planning and elder law, so that families can make informed decisions and, in so doing, stay in control of their lives.
I focus on finances and asset protection, with an emphasis on Wills, Estate Planning, Probate, Advanced Care Planning matters (Living Wills) and Elder Law. It is vitally important that families are well-prepared for both the expected and unexpected events in their lives through the completion of basic documents with Powers of Attorneys and Guardianships to more extensive preparation through tax-planned Wills and Trusts.
If you do not have a plan created for your family, the State of Texas has one for you and the goals of the State may be different from your vision for your family. My goal is to help our clients plan for a successful tomorrow utilizing the assets and resources available to them today.
Whether the need is for extensive estate planning, from planning for the needs of your children or elder care, I work with individuals and families to approach each decision made today with the goal of laying a firm foundation upon which they can build a strong future.
Areas of Practice
- Finances
- Asset Protection
- Elder Law
- Wills
- Estate Planning
- Probate
- Advanced Care Planning matters (Living Wills)
Certified Legal Specialties
- Certified in Mediation
- Advance Care Planning Certified Facilitator and Instructor with Respecting Choices
Bar Admissions
- Texas, 2007
- New York, 2000
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas
- Supreme Court of the United States of America
Education
- Texas A&M University School of Law (formerly Texas Wesleyan University School of Law), Fort Worth, Texas
- Juris Doctor – 1998
- Texas A & M University
- B.A., Bachelor of Arts – 1988
- Major: Political Science
Published Works
- Publication in the Texas Tech Estate Planning & Community Property Law Journal, “THE TIME IS NOW FOR THE FIVE WISHES DOCUMENT IN TEXAS” Spring 2018.
- Publication in the Texas Tech Estate Planning & Community Property Law Journal, “DEATH IN TEXAS: THE DOCUMENTS THAT CONTROL MEDICAL TREATMENT AND END-OF-LIFE DECISIONS” Fall 2018.
Classes/Seminars
- AARP, Advance Care Planning During Covid-19, November 2020
- Alzheimer’s Association -Younger Onset Conference, 07/31/2020 via Zoom, Conference Panelist on Addressing Legal Issues when Facing a YAO Diagnosis
- Estate Planning during Covid-19, Cowtown Executives Association, Spring 2020
- Estate Planning, Cowtown Executives Association, August 2017
- Guardianship, TCU Retirees, Spring 2017
- Wine, Women and Wills, 2015 – 2016
- Advanced Care Planning, Fort Worth Rotary Meeting, September 2016
- PCHETA and Advocacy, Association State of Texas Advocacy Day, June 2016
- Elder Law, Tarrant County Bar Association – Continuing Legal Education, November 2015
- Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney and End of Life Decisions, Tarrant County Jewish Federation Advanced Care Planning Seminar, November 2015
- Elder Law and Abuse, Tarrant County Bar Public Law School, April 2015
- Estate Planning, Merrill Lynch presentation to Community Baptist Church, March 2015
- Elder Law and Medical Powers of Attorney, Plaid for Women Television, February 2015
- Elder Law, Plaid For Women Radio, 2015
- Powers of Attorney, Plaid for Women Radio, 2015
- Estate Planning (For Bruce Haber Wealth Management), Merrill Lynch, September 2013
- Estate Planning (For Watts group), Merrill Lynch, 2014
Honors and Awards
- Fort Worth Texas Magazine Top Elder Law Attorney, 2015 – Present
- 360 Magazine, Top Attorney for Estate Planning, 2020
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Community Task Force on Elder Abuse, Member, 2017 – Present
- Tarrant County Bar Association, 2010 – Present
- Tarrant County Probate Bar Association, 2013 – Present
- Tarrant County Bar Association, Elder Law Committee, 2015 – Present
- Texas Bar College, 2013 – Present
Past Employment Positions
- Silvas & Johnson Law PLLC, Partner and Attorney, 2008 – 2012
- Bob Leonard Law Group, Attrorney, 2012 – 2013
Community Activities
- Alzheimer’s Association, North Texas Chapter, Chair, Board of Directors, 2020 to Present
- Cowtown Executives Association, Vice President, 2020 to present
- Care & Prepare, Board of Directors, Secretary, 2018 – Present
- Kids Who Care, Board of Directors, 2018 – Present
- 60 & Better, Board of Directors, Member, 2020 to present
- Women’s Policy Forum, Board of Directors, Member, 2020 to present
- Board of Directors of the Parenting Center, President Emeritus, 2015-2019
- Jewish Federation of Tarrant County, Partnership with the Western Galilee of Israel, Chair, 2015 – 2017
- North Texas Specialty Physicians Foundation, Treasurer, 2015 – 2016
- Brite Divinity, Board of Visitors, 2014 – 2016
- Board of Directors of Beth-El Congregation, Second Vice President, 2013 – 2015