The purpose of the Probate, Trusts & Estates Section is to promote the objectives and standards of professionalism of the Houston Bar Association within the field of probate, trusts & estates.
2024-2025 Section Officers
Chair
Mary E. Mason, Gray Reed
Immediate Past Chair
Brian D. Cororve, Gray Reed
Chair Elect
T. Aaron Dobbs, Northern Trust
Vice Chair
Tama Brooks Klosek, Klosek & Associates PLLC
Secretary
Keri D. Brown, Baker Botts L.L.P.
Treasurer
Wesley L. Bowers, Fizer Beck Webster Bentley & Scroggins, P.C.
Section Council Members
Kelley M. Bentley, The Bentley Law Firm
Christopher C. Burt, BoyarMiller
J. Crispin Clarke, Ford + Bergner LLP
Richard W. Kahle, Newman Law Firm
Elizabeth C. Leicht, Regions Bank, Private Wealth Management
Arielle Prangner, Gyeszly + Prangner
Member Details
Section Members: 570
Section Dues: $45
Law Student Policies
Meetings
No charge for students.
History of Probate, Trusts & Estate Section Chairs
Bylaws of the Probate, Trusts & Estates Section
Distinguished Service Award Recipients
Administrative documents (PTES Council Only)
Watch PTE Section Meeting Videos
The Runaway Ad Litem (May 28, 2024)
In this meeting, Christine Butts (Riddle & Butts, LLP) covered issues with ad litems in the probate and guardianship context. Click here to view the full video presentation.
Harris County Judge's Panel (April 30, 2024)
Judge Jerry Simoneaux (Harris County Probate Court No. 1), Judge Pamela Medina (Harris County Probate Court No. 2), Judge Jason Cox (Harris County Probate Court No. 3), Judge James Horwitz (Harris County Probate Court No. 4), and Judge Kathleen S. Stone (Harris County Probate Court No. 5) answered questions regarding their court procedures and practices. Click here to view the full video presentation.
Evidentiary Issues and How to Resolve Them (March 26, 2024)
Judge Jerry Simoneaux (Harris County Probate Court No. 1) led an interactive presentation with a mix of litigation and uncontested probate issues. The presentation included a short courtroom scenario in which audience members chose how they would rule if they were the judge. The correct answer was revealed with supporting statutory authority or case law. Click here to view the full video presentation.
Characterization Conundrums (February 27, 2024)
Susan F. McLerran (Fullenweider Wilhite) discussed characterization issues when dealing with marital property. Click here to view the full video presentation.
10 Estate and Income Tax Questions (January 23, 2024)
Carol Warley and Andrew Wagnon (RSM) explored common and uncommon estate and income tax questions for estate planning attorneys.
The video of this presentation is available to view here.
Talk Nerdy to Me: Communications with Clients (November 28, 2023)
This discussion covered our ethical duties regarding informing and staying in communication with our clients, including the use of text messages, phone calls, emails, letters as well as what those communications cover. It also covered how to communicate effectively with clients from the beginning of the engagement to the end of the engagement.
The video presentation is available here.
SECURE Act Update (October 24, 2023)
Kaili Cusak (Chamberlain Hrdlicka) discussed and examined the SECURE Act, with a focus on updates to the Act since its passage.
Click here to watch the recorded meeting.
2023 Case Law Update (September 26, 2023)
Trey Gifford (Crain Caton & James), Colin Norman (Kean Miller), Jenna Shorter (Boyar Miller), and Trey Avant (Gray Reed) discussed the most recent case law updates examining Texas Supreme Court and Court of Appeals opinions applicable to the practice of probate, trusts and estates.
Click here to watch the recorded meeting.
Congratulations to Jimmy Walker for Receiving the Probate, Trusts & Estates Section Distinguished Service Award!
The HBA Probate, Trusts & Estates Section awarded Jimmy Walker the 2023 Distinguished Service Award recognizing Jimmy’s many years of service to the Houston Bar Association and to our Section.
2023 Legislative Update (August 22, 2023)
Meredith N. McIver (Osborne, Helman, Scott, Knisely & Stanton, LLP) discusses new legislation resulting from the recent 2023 Texas Legislative Session, which produced a lot of new law related to trust, estate, guardianship, and related areas of the law. The Texas Real Estate & Probate Institute (T-REP, which replaced the REPTL legislative program) alone had six bills pass. The Legislative Update provides information on the most important changes that will affect your practice, including changes impacting estate planning and procedure in both estate administration and fiduciary litigation.
The video is available to view at this link: https://youtu.be/P4_DLsTt6d8
Download the outline here, along with the statutory language supplement here.
Materials
- Harris County Probate Court Information
- Probate Courts in Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston and Montgomery Counties
- Case Law Updates from Texas Tech University School of Law Professor Gerry W. Beyer
- Attorney Fee Guidelines
- Legislative Update
- Giving Your Settlement Agreements Superpowers: Exculpatory Clauses, Indemnity, and Other Limitations on Liability in Settlements
- Guardianship Paper + Appendices (03-29-2022)
- Common Civil Capacities: Guardianships, Wills, Trusts, and Powers of Attorney (Presentation by Dr. Edward Poa)
Watch PTE Section Meeting Videos
View and download section meeting materials