Duran Firm

Business Details

20 Years

experience

Expert Probate & Estate Planning Services in Dallas

The Duran Firm is a Dallas-based legal practice specializing in probate, guardianship, and estate planning. With over 20 years of experience, including a clerkship under a Probate Court Judge, Michael Duran has successfully probated over 2,000 wills and estates. Our firm prioritizes transparency and fairness, offering fixed-fee services for uncontested cases to eliminate financial surprises. We combine deep expertise with a client-centric approach, ensuring efficient resolution of probate matters while minimizing family conflicts. Our teams unique background includes drafting court manuals and serving as court-appointed administrators, reinforcing our authority in this field.

We emphasize proactive estate planning to reduce future administrative burdens and costs. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our tailored solutions, which address complex family dynamics and special needs planning. The Duran Firms reputation as a trusted advisor is built on decades of dedicated service to Dallas and surrounding counties, ensuring clients receive both legal expertise and compassionate guidance.

Services

Probate with Will Probate without Will Estate Planning Guardianship Living Wills Power of Attorney Special Needs Trusts Contested Probate Guardianship for Seniors Wills

Details

Year established: 2006

Highlights and features

We offer over 20 years of specialized probate and estate planning experience.
Our fixed-fee structure ensures transparent, predictable pricing for uncontested cases.
We combine unique firsthand probate court experience with client-focused service.
Our team creates customized estate plans to address special needs and family dynamics.
We prioritize minimizing family conflict through clear, legally sound documentation.

Website

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Services

Probate with Will

Our probate with will service streamlines estate administration when a valid will exists. We ensure efficient transfer of assets according to the decedent's wishes while minimizing court involvement. Clients benefit from our fixed-fee structure and extensive experience handling over 2,000 probate cases, providing predictable costs and timely resolution for families during difficult periods.

Estate Planning

We create comprehensive estate plans that protect assets and ensure your wishes are honored. Our packages include wills, trusts, and advanced directives tailored to individual family needs. With options for special needs trusts and tax planning, we help clients establish clear directives while minimizing future administrative burdens and potential family conflicts.

Guardianship

Our guardianship services assist families in establishing legal protection for vulnerable individuals. We specialize in guardianships for seniors with dementia and individuals with special needs, ensuring proper legal protections while maintaining dignity. Our experience includes court-appointed guardianship roles, providing unique insight into this complex area of law.

Special Needs Trusts

We design special needs trusts that protect government benefit eligibility while providing financial support. Our customized trusts ensure assets are available for supplemental needs without jeopardizing Medicaid or SSI eligibility. We guide families through both first-party and third-party trust options, with expertise in Texas-specific requirements and federal compliance standards.

Power of Attorney

We draft durable financial and medical powers of attorney that ensure your affairs are managed according to your wishes. Our documents establish clear authority for designated agents while maintaining legal protections. Clients receive guidance on selecting appropriate agents and understanding the responsibilities involved in these critical legal instruments.

People

Michael A. Duran

Attorney

Michael Duran has over 20 years of probate law experience, including a clerkship with Dallas County Probate Court. He has handled 2,000+ probate cases and served as court-appointed administrator. He previously chaired the Dallas Bar Association Probate Section and developed court procedures now in use across Texas.

Jacqueline Gutierrez

Probate Paralegal

Jacqueline Gutierrez brings extensive probate law experience to our team, supporting clients with estate administration and documentation preparation. Her expertise contributes to our efficient handling of probate cases while maintaining personal attention to client needs.

Sara Garcia Diaz

Estate Planning Paralegal

Sara Garcia Diaz specializes in estate planning documentation and guardianship procedures. She works closely with clients to ensure accurate execution of wills, trusts, and advanced directives while providing support throughout the estate planning process.

Questions

What happens if I die without a will in Texas?

Texas intestacy laws determine asset distribution, typically to surviving spouses and children. This may not align with your wishes and can create complications with property rights and minor beneficiaries.

How does a special needs trust protect government benefits?

Special needs trusts hold assets for beneficiaries without affecting Medicaid or SSI eligibility, as the funds aren't counted toward resource limits while providing supplemental support.

What are the benefits of a self-proved will?

Self-proved wills eliminate the need to locate witnesses after death, streamlining probate through pre-signed affidavits that verify proper execution under Texas law.

Can I handle probate without an attorney?

While possible, professional representation helps avoid costly mistakes, ensures compliance with complex procedures, and typically proves more cost-effective than resolving preventable issues.

What's included in your estate planning package?

Our package includes wills, living wills, financial and medical powers of attorney, HIPAA authorizations, and special provisions for minors, all designed for efficient probate and asset protection.

How do you handle contested probate matters?

We handle contested cases on an hourly basis, focusing on resolving disputes through negotiation while preparing for court intervention when necessary to protect client interests.

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Reviews (4)

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Eric Hawley

Jan 18, 2022 Report

Positive:Professionalism,Responsiveness,Value
Michael and Jackie were immensely helpful during the probate process. Even though I live in Houston, and the estate was probated through Tarrant County, they made every step easy for me along the way, while providing helpful guidance and advice.

Jess B.

Jan 04, 2022 Report

Michael and Jackie of the Duran Firm are a professional and extremely competent team. They know each step of the probate process and are very thorough and prepared. It was a relief to have confidence in them and to know that they had everything in hand. I would highly recommend Duran Firm for their expertise, affordability, and excellent service.

Melinda Dawn

Nov 22, 2021 Report

I highly recommend the Duran Law Firm! Michael Duran and his Legal assistant Jacqueline are very knowledgeable and made sure I understood every aspect of the probate process. Every person I spoke with at the Duran Law Firm was compassionate, helpful, and quick to respond. They made a difficult and stressful situation much easier to navigate.

Sharon Achor

Sep 05, 2021 Report

After years of procrastination, I am so grateful to the Duran Firm for helping with our estate planning. I feel peace that we now have an executed Estate Planning Portfolio drafted to meet our personal needs. Michael Duran's suggestions, expertise, legal attention to detail, and his friendly demeanor made the experience a most positive one. Sara Diaz, his paralegal also helped guide us through the process in a timely manner.