Practice Areas

Not certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization

Business Organizations-The form of entity selected for the conduct of a business greatly impacts the daily operations of the business and the income tax consequences to both the business and its owners. I assist clients with this step of business formation by reviewing the goals and individual facts present in each situation to recommend the best entity-selecting from limited/general partnerships, limited liability companies, or corporations, and the different elections or options available under each. I can advise business clients from the initial conference and entity decision-making, through document preparation and filing with appropriate authorities, to post-formation activities such as preparation and adoption of bylaws and director/shareholder resolutions. I also handle asset purchase agreements and non-competition issues.

I provide advice and counsel related to the formation of all business entities, including:

• Corporations

• Limited liability companies

• Limited partnerships

• General partnerships

• Professional corporations

• Professional associations

Some examples of the services I provide with regard to business purchases are:

• Asset purchases

• Stock purchases

• Stock transfers and buy-sell agreements

• Non-competition and non-solicitation agreements

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy-Chapter 7 is the U.S. Bankruptcy Code's liquidation chapter. It is used by businesses wishing to liquidate and terminate their business, and by individuals who want to free themselves of debt relatively simply and inexpensively. I represent individuals and commercial clients in Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceedings. I represent both debtors and creditors.

Some of the specific bankruptcy issues I handle are:

• Consumer chapter 7 for individuals

• Business/corporate chapter 7

• Creditor claims

• Credit reporting information correction issues

Debtor/Creditor Issues-I provide legal services in the debtor/creditor arena, including preparation of loan documentation, securing the debt, resolving delinquent accounts, and collections. I handle the foreclosure work and creditor issues for a local bank; I also work with a variety of creditors, such as trade vendors, in attempting to collect unpaid debts from individuals and businesses.

Banking and financial institution portion of my debtor/creditor work includes: 9

• Foreclosure work

• Bankruptcy issues

• Collections

Within the realm of debtor/creditor issues, I handle the following types of collections:

• Sworn accounts

• Promissory notes

• Secured transactions

Estate Planning-I handle a variety of estate planning matters, including planning for the distribution of an individual's property at his or her death and taking into account wills, taxes, insurance, property, and trusts so as to gain the maximum benefit of all laws, while, at the same time, carrying out a decedent's wishes. I can also assist with statutory durable power of attorney and guardianship issues.

Some examples of the estate planning services I provide are:

• Wills-non-estate tax planning and estate tax planning

• Trusts-revocable living trusts, irrevocable trusts for tax planning,

investment, or education, life insurance trusts

• Financial powers of attorney

• Medical powers of attorney

• Directive to physicians ("Living Will")

• Guardianship designations in event of incapacity

• Guardianship designations for minors

• Medical consents for minors.

Probate & Estate Administration-I also handle probate and estate administration matters. Probate is the legal process by which a person's debts are paid and assets are distributed upon her or his death. Estate Administration includes the probate process as well as non-probate transfers of the deceased's assets. Individual state laws direct the probate court how to distribute the deceased's estate. State laws and procedures vary greatly, so, it is important to consult an attorney with knowledge in this area of the law to ensure that the deceased's assets are distributed correctly.

Alternative Dispute Resolution/Mediation-Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is the process of resolving legal conflicts without going to trial. I am a Certified Mediator, and I have expertise in determining when a form of ADR is in the best interest of clients and meets their needs better than traditional litigation. Judges in the local area refer cases to me for mediation.

The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.