Texas guardianship proceedings involve court-supervised arrangements in which a judge appoints an individual to make personal, medical, or financial decisions on behalf of a minor or an adult who lacks sufficient capacity to manage their own affairs. Because guardianship significantly restricts the legal rights of the ward, Texas courts are required to consider less restrictive alternatives before granting a full guardianship under the Texas Estates Code.
1. Ford + Bergner LLP
Founder: Don D. Ford III
Founded: 1999
Headquarters: Houston, TX
Phone: (713) 352-0937
Website: https://fordbergner.com
Office Locations:
- Houston: 700 Louisiana Street, 41st Floor, Houston, TX 77002 | (713) 352-0937
Practice Areas: Guardianship, probate, estate planning, wills, trusts, estate litigation, mediation
Firm Size: Not publicly disclosed; firm has served more than 3,500 clients across 80+ Texas counties
Fee Structure: Not publicly disclosed; consultations available
Languages: English
About the Firm: Ford + Bergner LLP was founded in 1999 by Don D. Ford III, who started the firm at age 27 with a practice dedicated solely to estates, trusts, and guardianships in Texas. In 2010, Don Ford achieved Board Certification in Estate Planning and Probate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a distinction held by fewer than 3 percent of Texas attorneys. The firm also employs a Mediator Certification, making Don Ford one of a small number of Texas lawyers who specialize in mediating probate and guardianship disputes. Ford + Bergner has served clients in more than 80 counties across Texas and has maintained offices in Houston, Dallas, and Austin over the firm’s history. The firm handles both contested and uncontested guardianship matters, including guardianship applications, annual reporting requirements, and contested hearings before probate courts. The firm celebrated 21 years of practice and continues to serve clients throughout Texas from its Houston base.
2. Staubus, Blankenship, Legere and Walker PLLC
Managing Partner: P. Keith Staubus
Founded: 2002
Headquarters: Dallas, TX
Phone: (214) 833-0100
Website: https://www.dallasprobateandtrust.com
Office Locations:
- Dallas: 8150 N Central Expressway, Suite 850, Dallas, TX 75206 | (214) 833-0100
Practice Areas: Guardianship, probate, will contests, estate planning, trust litigation, fiduciary litigation, estate administration, heirship determinations
Firm Size: Not publicly disclosed; over 100 years of combined attorney experience
Fee Structure: Not publicly disclosed; consultations available
Languages: English
About the Firm: Staubus, Blankenship, Legere and Walker PLLC was founded in 2002 and has developed into a probate and guardianship trial firm with a substantial track record in complex, contested matters before Dallas-area probate courts. The firm’s attorneys hold over 100 years of combined experience in estate planning, probate, and litigation. Key attorneys include P. Keith Staubus, Julie Blankenship, and Diane Walker. The firm has tried contested and uncontested guardianship cases in both jury and non-jury proceedings. It holds a preeminent AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has been ranked by Best Lawyers as a Tier One Best Law Firm in Dallas/Fort Worth for trust and estate litigation. The firm also handles routine uncontested probate matters, including wills, estate administration, and all other proceedings before Texas probate courts.
3. Aldrich Law Firm, PLLC
Founder: Russell Aldrich
Founded: 2011
Headquarters: San Antonio, TX
Phone: (210) 418-1150
Website: https://www.aldrichfirm.com
Office Locations:
- San Antonio: 8700 Crownhill Blvd., Suite 200, San Antonio, TX 78209 | (210) 418-1150
Practice Areas: Guardianship, probate, estate planning, wills, trusts, will contests, breach of fiduciary duty, estate administration, power of attorney, elder abuse litigation
Firm Size: 2 attorneys (Russell Aldrich and Serena Hanor Aldrich)
Fee Structure: Free initial consultation
Languages: English
About the Firm: Aldrich Law Firm, PLLC was founded in 2011 by Russell Aldrich, a native of San Antonio who attended the University of Texas at Austin and earned his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania. The firm was established specifically to serve individuals and families with guardianship and estate needs in Bexar County and throughout Texas. Russell Aldrich has represented clients in a wide range of contested and uncontested estate and guardianship matters and has recovered millions of dollars for victims of elder abuse, fraud, and undue influence in fiduciary litigation. The firm handles both guardianship applications and contested guardianship proceedings, as well as ongoing representation of guardians who must comply with Texas Estates Code annual reporting requirements. Serena Hanor Aldrich also practices at the firm. The firm serves clients in San Antonio and throughout the state in probate and guardianship matters.
4. Silberman Law Firm, PLLC
Founder: Philip Silberman
Founded: 2008
Headquarters: Houston, TX
Phone: (713) 255-4422
Website: https://silblawfirm.com
Office Locations:
- Houston: 950 Echo Lane, Suite 200, Houston, TX 77024 | (713) 255-4422
- Dallas: 5050 Quorum Drive, Suite 700, Dallas, TX 75254 | (214) 307-2840
- Fort Worth: 777 Main Street, Suite 600, Fort Worth, TX 76102 | (817) 953-8826
Practice Areas: Guardianship, probate, estate planning, wills, trusts, real estate law, business law, corporate law, civil litigation
Firm Size: 11 to 24 attorneys
Fee Structure: Free initial consultation; flat-fee model available for qualifying matters
Languages: English
About the Firm: Silberman Law Firm, PLLC was founded in 2008 by Philip Silberman, who holds a B.B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin and a J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center. The firm was built on the principle of providing quality legal representation at accessible rates, and offers flat-fee billing for qualifying matters. The firm has offices in Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, Beaumont, and Corpus Christi, providing statewide coverage for Texas clients. Attorney Chris Heald handles guardianship matters at the firm and brings extensive probate and guardianship practice experience to client representation. The firm handles both routine and complex guardianship proceedings before Texas probate courts, alongside its broader estate planning and business law work. Silberman Law Firm, PLLC has been listed in U.S. News law firm rankings and serves individuals and businesses throughout Texas.
5. The Law Office of Whitney L. Thompson, PLLC
Managing Partner: Whitney L. Thompson
Founded: Not publicly disclosed
Headquarters: Houston, TX
Phone: (281) 214-0173
Website: https://www.wthompsonlaw.com
Office Locations:
- Houston: 4201 FM 1960 Road West, Suite 360, Houston, TX | (281) 214-0173
Practice Areas: Guardianship, estate planning, probate, elder law, Medicaid planning, special needs planning, family law
Firm Size: Not publicly disclosed
Fee Structure: Not publicly disclosed; consultations available
Languages: English
About the Firm: The Law Office of Whitney L. Thompson, PLLC is a Houston estate planning and guardianship firm led by Whitney L. Thompson, who began her legal career in the wills, probate, and guardianship clinic at Thurgood Marshall School of Law. The firm focuses on guardianship, estate planning, probate, elder law, and Medicaid planning, serving clients throughout Harris, Fort Bend, Brazoria, Montgomery, Matagorda, and Wharton counties in the greater Houston area. Attorney Thompson is experienced in guiding families through guardianship applications and related proceedings, providing clients with clear guidance on their legal options and the steps involved. The firm also advises on alternatives to guardianship, consistent with the Texas Estates Code requirement that courts consider less restrictive options before establishing a full guardianship. In addition to guardianship, the firm assists clients with Medicaid planning and special needs planning for disabled individuals and family members.
Texas guardianship law is governed by the Texas Estates Code Title 3. To establish a guardianship, an applicant must file in the probate court of the county where the proposed ward resides, and the court must appoint an attorney ad litem to represent the proposed ward’s interests. Texas law requires the court to consider the least restrictive alternative to guardianship before appointing a guardian, meaning that alternatives such as supported decision-making agreements, medical powers of attorney, and durable powers of attorney must be evaluated first when appropriate. Once a guardianship is established, guardians of the estate are required to file annual accounts with the probate court, and guardians of the person must file annual reports on the ward’s condition. Failure to comply with reporting requirements can result in removal as guardian. Texas courts maintain ongoing oversight of guardianships, and guardians must seek court approval for certain decisions, including major medical procedures and the sale of real property belonging to the ward.
The firms listed on this page represent a selection of guardianship practices operating across Texas. Each firm’s details, including office locations, phone numbers, practice areas, and background information, are based on publicly available data verified at the time of publication. Inclusion on this page does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Individuals seeking legal representation should conduct their own research, verify current attorney licensing through the State Bar of Texas, and schedule consultations to determine the right fit for their specific situation.