Business Details
15 Years
experience
Trusted Probate & Estate Planning Attorneys in Denton
The Chenault Law Firm specializes in probate, estate planning, trusts, and fiduciary litigation, serving clients across North Texas. With a focus on strategic legal solutions, the firm combines extensive experience in complex estate matters with personalized client service. Our team, led by attorneys with decades of combined experience, has built a reputation for thoroughness and client-focused representation. We prioritize transparency, ensuring clients understand every aspect of their legal matters while navigating probate courts and estate planning needs.The firm's growth reflects its commitment to excellence, supported by attorney referrals and long-standing client relationships. Our practice extends beyond litigation to include mediation services and comprehensive estate planning tools designed to minimize legal complications for families. Based in Denton County, we serve clients throughout Texas and beyond, offering both in-office and travel-based mediation services to accommodate diverse needs.
Services
Probate
Estate Planning
Trusts
Mediation
Fiduciary Litigation
Details
- Year established: 2011
Highlights and features
- We offer decades of combined experience in probate and estate law
- Our team provides personalized, client-focused legal representation
- We maintain a strong reputation through attorney and client referrals
- We employ strategic approaches to complex fiduciary litigation
- We serve clients across North Texas with local expertise
Associations and certifications
- Super Lawyers
Services
Probate
Probate services guide clients through court-managed estate administration following a loved one's passing. Our attorneys help executors and beneficiaries navigate complex legal requirements, from initial petitions to final asset distribution. We assist with will validation, heirship determinations, and estate debt resolution while minimizing family stress during difficult times.
Estate Planning
Estate planning creates comprehensive strategies for asset management and distribution. We help clients establish wills, trusts, and advanced directives to ensure their wishes are honored. Our services include transfer-on-death deeds, power of attorney arrangements, and tax-efficient gifting strategies to protect family assets across generations.
Trusts
Trust services provide alternatives to traditional probate through customized asset management solutions. We establish revocable living trusts, testamentary trusts, and specialized arrangements for beneficiaries requiring financial oversight. Our expertise ensures proper trust administration and resolves disputes between trustees and beneficiaries while maintaining privacy.
Mediation
Mediation services offer alternative dispute resolution for estate conflicts. Our experienced mediators facilitate negotiations between parties in probate and trust disputes, focusing on collaborative solutions. This confidential process helps families avoid lengthy court battles while achieving fair outcomes through structured settlement discussions.
Fiduciary Litigation
Fiduciary litigation addresses conflicts involving executors, trustees, and beneficiaries. We represent parties in contested probate matters, will contests, and trust administration disputes. Our approach combines courtroom readiness with strategic negotiation to protect client interests in complex fiduciary relationships governed by Texas estate laws.
People
Gilland Chenault
Attorney
Gilland Chenault focuses on fiduciary litigation, probate, and estate planning with over 15 years of legal experience. He has served as court-appointed trustee and administrator in complex estates, combining litigation expertise with practical business counsel. A Super Lawyer honoree, he teaches civil trial practice and previously worked in university planned giving.
Courtland Kristoferson
Attorney
Courtland Kristoferson specializes in probate and trust litigation with extensive courtroom experience. He handles contested estate administrations and fiduciary disputes, maintaining active involvement in estate law matters across North Texas courts.
John Narsutis
Of Counsel, Former District Judge
John Narsutis brings judicial perspective to estate matters as former district judge. His experience includes presiding over complex probate cases and providing legal counsel on fiduciary responsibilities, offering unique insights into court decision-making processes for estate litigation.
Questions
What probate services do you offer in Denton County?
We handle all aspects of probate administration including will validation, estate inventory, debt resolution, and asset distribution. Our attorneys represent executors and beneficiaries in both contested and uncontested probate matters across North Texas.
How can estate planning help avoid probate?
Proper estate planning using revocable living trusts, joint ownership arrangements, and beneficiary designations can help transfer assets outside probate court. We create customized plans to preserve privacy and reduce administrative costs for your beneficiaries.
Do you handle trust disputes and litigation?
Yes, we represent trustees and beneficiaries in trust administration disputes, breach of fiduciary duty claims, and contested trust interpretations. Our approach balances aggressive representation with practical resolution strategies.
Are your mediation services available outside Denton County?
Our mediation services are available throughout North Texas. We offer both in-office sessions in Flower Mound and travel to mutually agreed locations to accommodate parties in estate and trust disputes.
What experience do you have with complex estates?
Our firm regularly handles high-value estates with complex assets, business interests, and multi-state property holdings. We have extensive experience serving as court-appointed administrators in challenging probate cases across North Texas counties.
