Business Details
28 Years
experience
Your Trusted Bankruptcy & Estate Planning Partner in Arlington
The Law Office of Marilyn D. Garner has provided trusted legal counsel in bankruptcy, estate planning, and probate matters since 1998. With over 40 years of combined experience, our firm prioritizes individualized client care, ethical practice, and deep familiarity with North Texas legal frameworks. We offer free consultations, direct attorney access, and a proven track record of helping clients achieve financial stability and protect their legacies. Our AV Preeminent-rated team combines decades of experience with community leadership, serving Arlington and surrounding areas with compassion and expertise. 
Services
Bankruptcy
Estate Planning
Probate
Chapter 7
Chapter 13
Details
- Year established: 1998
Highlights and features
- 30+ years of bankruptcy and estate planning experience
- Direct attorney access with no paralegal intermediaries
- AV Preeminent-rated for ethical and legal excellence
- Free confidential bankruptcy consultations available
- Community leadership through local nonprofit involvement
Associations and certifications
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent
What people say
Feeling like family
Good options provided
Made feel at ease
Welcoming staff
Responsive team
Services
Bankruptcy
Our bankruptcy services help individuals and businesses eliminate or restructure debt through Chapter 7, Chapter 11, and Chapter 13 filings. We provide comprehensive guidance through the means test, automatic stay protection, and asset exemption processes. Clients benefit from our 30+ years of experience in stopping collection actions, protecting homes from foreclosure, and creating pathways to financial recovery while maintaining the highest ethical standards.
Estate Planning
We create customized estate plans to protect assets and ensure clients' wishes are honored. Our services include wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and business succession planning. We help clients navigate complex decisions about beneficiary designations, tax minimization, and care provisions for dependents. Our attorneys provide clear explanations of trust options and help modify plans as life circumstances change, ensuring long-term effectiveness.
Probate
Our probate services guide executors and beneficiaries through Texas court processes. We help validate wills, settle debts, distribute assets, and resolve disputes while minimizing delays. The firm advocates for clients' interests in contested probate matters and provides compassionate support during difficult transitions. We also help establish trusts to potentially avoid future probate requirements through proper estate planning.
Chapter 7
We specialize in Chapter 7 bankruptcy filings that discharge unsecured debts like credit cards and medical bills. Our attorneys help clients determine eligibility through the means test, protect exempt assets under Texas law, and navigate the 3-6 month process. We provide detailed guidance on documentation requirements and help clients understand how to rebuild credit post-discharge while ensuring compliance with all federal bankruptcy requirements.
Chapter 13
Our Chapter 13 services help clients reorganize debts through manageable repayment plans. We assist with creating court-approved payment schedules, protecting property from foreclosure, and modifying loans while maintaining original contract terms. The firm guides clients through the 3-5 year process, handles creditor negotiations, and ensures compliance with all plan requirements to achieve successful debt resolution and financial stability.
People
Marilyn D. Garner
Attorney
With over 40 years of legal experience, Marilyn D. Garner founded her Arlington practice in 1998 after working with prominent Dallas law firms and the U.S. Bankruptcy Trustee's office. She holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and serves on multiple community boards, combining deep legal expertise with local leadership to provide compassionate, personalized client representation.
Questions
What bankruptcy options are available for North Texas residents?
We offer Chapter 7 liquidation, Chapter 13 repayment plans, and business Chapter 11 reorganization options tailored to individual financial situations and eligibility.
How does the means test affect bankruptcy eligibility?
The means test compares your income to Texas median levels to determine Chapter 7 eligibility. Our attorneys help analyze your financial situation and explore alternatives if needed.
Can I keep my home during bankruptcy proceedings?
Chapter 13 often protects homes from foreclosure through repayment plans, while Chapter 7 exemptions may preserve home equity under Texas law.
What estate planning documents are essential?
Key documents include wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives to ensure asset protection and care provisions for dependents.
How long does the probate process take?
Simple probates may complete in 6-8 months, while contested cases can take longer. Our firm works to minimize delays and resolve disputes efficiently.
What protections exist against debt collector harassment?
The FDCPA prohibits abusive collection practices. We help clients enforce their rights against illegal tactics like excessive calls and false threats.
