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Melvin H. Martinez

Melvin H. Martinez

Law Offices of Melvin H. Martinez
70 NE Loop 410
San Antonio, TX 78216

Phone: (210) 541-9200  |  Fax: (210) 541-9457

Contact Melvin H. Martinez

Preserve & Protect Your Assets, Business & Inheritance

Legal Topic

Business Law

Preferred New Clients

People with basic, intermediate or advanced Business needs who want help. I do not try to convince or cajole someone into doing proper planning. Long ago I realized that I can only help people who want to help themselves and who are ready to proceed. If this is you, let's begin.

Sub-Categories

Business Law
  • Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
Business Formation & Dissolution
  • Business Successions
  • Buying & Selling
  • Closely Held Businesses
  • Corporations
  • Directors' & Officers' Liability
  • Joint Ventures
  • Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)
  • Nonprofits & Tax-Exempt Corporations
  • Partnerships
  • Professional Corporations
  • Shareholders' Rights

Legal Topic

Wills, Trusts & Estates

Preferred New Clients

People with basic, intermediate or advanced Estate Planning needs who want help. I do not try to convince or cajole someone into doing proper planning. Long ago I realized that I can only help people who want to help themselves and who are ready to proceed. If this is you, let's begin.

Related Services
    Beneficiary Disputes
    Elder Law
    Estate & Trust Disputes
    Investment Review & Analysis
    Non-Traditional Families
    Probate
    Wealth Management

Sub-Categories

Insurance
  • Annuities
  • Bad Faith
  • Life Insurance
Securities & Investments
  • Shareholder Disputes
Taxes
  • Estate Taxes & Gift Taxes
  • Power of Attorney
  • Tax Planning
Estate Planning
  • Charitable Giving
  • Charitable Trusts
  • Drafting Trusts
  • Drafting Wills
  • Estate Administration
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trusts
  • Living Wills
  • Probate
  • Asset Protection
  • Guardianship
  • Power of Attorney
  • Business Succession Planning
  • Special Needs Trust
  • Supplemental Needs Trust
  • Revocable Trust & Irrevocable Trust

Bar Admissions

TX, May 1978
Bar Number: 13143400

UT, Sep 1975
Bar Number: 02108

CA, Jun 1975
Bar Number: 64366

Specialty Certifications

Estate Planning & Probate.

Other Court Admissions

All State Courts in Texas, California, and Utah; Military Courts Martial including U.S. Court of Military Appeals.

Association Memberships

Continuing member of the College of the State Bar of Texas - College members comprise the top 6% of lawyers in the state who accumulate at least double the required hours of continuing legal education.

Continuing Education

Every year I exceed the required number of continuing education hours to maintain my law license as well as the requirements for my area of specialization. I do this by attending seminars which are sponsored or approved by the State Bar.

Papers and Publications

I have prepared and presented continuing education courses in estate planning and business for attorneys, accountants and professional groups.

Example Cases

Using advanced estate planning tools and techniques, we helped a wealthy couple greatly reduce or eliminate a potentially large estate tax liability by forming separate legal entities and transferring portions of their wealth in a way that protects their children's inheritance from aggressive creditors and divorce.

In a second marriage situation we were able to establish a two-tier estate plan for the client who was a widower. Thus, he was able to segregate assets for the future benefit of his children by his first wife and begin another tier estate plan with his new wife. The two tiers can continue to grow and compound without one interfering with the other. The new wife and the children by the first wife will never have to be at odds over the assets because of ambiguity or misunderstanding. Everything is crystal clear and properly addressed with sound legal documents. As a by-product of this planning, the relationship between the children and the new wife was enhanced.

Education

Degree:

Juris Doctor

School:

University of San Francisco

City:

San Francisco

State:

CA

Year:

1973

Honors:

One of few law school students accepted into the University's 3-3 program where the senior year of college was the first year of law school; academic scholarship recipient.

Focus and Accomplishments:

Highest grades in Trusts and Decedent's Estates; Moot Court competition; worked my way through law school working part-time during the school year and full-time during the summers.

 

Degree:

Bachelor of Arts

School:

University of San Francisco

City:

San Francisco

State:

CA

Year:

1971

Focus and Accomplishments:

Major: Classical. Undergraduate work completed in 3 years and accepted into the University's 3-3 program for law school.

 

Degree:

Master of Arts

School:

Universidad Ibero-Americana

City:

Mexico City, Mexico

State:

Information coming soon.

Year:

1980

Honors:

Thesis written in Spanish.

Focus and Accomplishments:

Spanish Language and the Latin American Civilization & Culture.

Number of Attorneys

1

State Licensed In

Texas, California, and Utah.

Firm Focus and History

We help you preserve and protect your assets, business, and inheritance. We help you maintain control of your assets during your lifetime and make sure your needs are met whether you are strong and healthy or need assistance. We help you build and create a legacy and pass it on to your loved ones or charitable organizations the way you want while minimizing costs, administration fees, and taxes.

I started my firm in 1988, focusing on business and estate planning matters. In 1991, I became an Associate with a boutique firm specializing in the same areas of law. In 1996, I opened my own office once again and have continued practicing and specializing in these areas.

Previous Employment Summary

I served in the military as an attorney with the rank of Captain in the Army Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAGC) at Fort Hood, Texas where I worked in criminal law and civil law matters for the soldiers and their families. I worked for several years as a Bank Officer, Bank Trust Officer, and Bank Manager of the International Department. In these positions I administered Wills, Trusts, and Estates and handled and invested other people's money and assets. I also worked as a licensed investment broker (registered representative) and licensed life insurance agent in local and regional investment firms.

Activities and Awards

Current Investment Consultant (Registered Representative) with LPL Financial; General Lines Life Insurance Agent (Texas).

Honored as one of the first 50 lawyers of minority background admitted to the Utah State Bar.

Selected as a FIVE STAR: Best in Client Satisfaction Wealth Manager for 2009 by Crescendo Business Services & the publishers of Texas Monthly.

What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?

It's a starting point, but not the end. I think that it is very good to get background information and learn as much as you can about a subject, but then go to an expert with real life experience in the matter. Theory and academia are nice but your situation is not theoretical or academic. You also need the trusted, steady hand of experience.

Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?

Legally and ethically, I must spend the necessary time to review your situation, including your assets and desires, just as if I were going to prepare your documents. In addition, I must also review what you have prepared, making sure there are no ambiguities and that the legal requirements are met. Then, I must make specific recommendations to you. It is difficult to review someone else's work and requires per hour compensation with a minimum fee. As a practical matter, this ends up being an expensive way for the client to proceed.

Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?

Sometimes, a client would like input and guidance from an attorney but does not want full legal representation. If possible, the client would like limited representation. In such situations, a written, Limited Scope Representation (LSR) Agreement is appropriate. For example, a client may limit the scope of my engagement to non-litigation efforts to resolve a dispute with a financial institution or insurance company. Perhaps a client just wants help in drafting a letter to a wayward trustee or executor. Written LSR Agreements provide a way for the client and attorney to clearly define the limits of the representation. The client can better control legal expenses by paying only for the level of representation desired.

Why did you decide to be a lawyer?

When I was a sophomore in high school I knew I wanted to be a lawyer. I felt that it would be a good way to help people.

What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?

Estate planning controls all of a person's assets—bank accounts, investment securities, real estate, businesses. I have several years experience as a banker, bank department manager, trust officer, investment broker and insurance agent where I directly handled these types of assets. I have also represented beneficiaries in estate and trust disputes including lawsuits with litigation co-counsel. These real world experiences enable me to bring a unique perspective to the table when talking to clients about estate planning matters. From personal experience I can share what works or doesn't work or works better and why. I can better assist clients avoid problems and pitfalls in the future.

Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?

After opening my office I found myself naturally gravitating toward this area of the law. It is very pro-family, pro-business, pro-charitable intent. It is a wonderful way to help individuals, families and society. I spend my time helping people build their dreams and create a legacy.

What do you like best about your career?

I like the independence in terms of time and clients. I choose the cases and clients I want to work with and help make a real difference in their lives. I have the freedom to run my practice as I want. Long ago I decided not to run my practice like a fast-food restaurant. I take the time to get to know my clients.

Tell us about your law firm:

As a solo practitioner, I have the pleasure of knowing all my clients. When they talk to me they're talking to the decision-maker. I and my staff are very sensitive to the fact that our clients open up to us and reveal private matters in a very short time—not just their assets, but who they really are—their hopes, desires, dreams, accomplishments and shortcomings. Since we are a boutique firm, our clients can rest assured that their private matters will remain private. We will not be gossiping about their situation around the water cooler.

What are your strengths and style?

I prefer to create rather than compete. Competition is limiting but creating is boundless. I favor pregnant brevity to estate planning by the pound. Less is really more. I am very personable and open. What you see is what you get. Regarding client matters, I am very focused and like to get to the point quickly. I stay on point until the matter is concluded. I am very open about fees. I discuss them only once and then we don't have to visit that subject again. A client never gets a surprise fee from me. When you become a client I do not charge for short phone calls regarding the matter for which I was engaged. If the matter requires more than a short telephone conversation, we probably need an office consult.

Personal Interests:

Staying in shape physically by frequent walks and workouts in the gym; spending time with my family (I have 5 children); metaphysics, reading, writing, traveling.

Office Manager/Assistant

Denise

Fax

(210) 541-9457

Office Hours

Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Emergency after hours by appointment.

Emergency After Hours

Yes

Foreign Languages

Spanish.

Fixed-Price Services and Fees

Once I understand the legal situation and client desires, I can quote a fixed fee for the desired service. This is very helpful to the client who then knows how much the representation will cost. There is no "black hole" of unknown fees. If the situation does not lend itself to a fixed fee, then an hourly charge is appropriate.

Hourly Rates

$200 to $250.

Free Initial Consultation?

Nolo referrals for estate planning consultation receive a one hour no-cost consult.

Typical Retainer

It depends on the circumstances and the engagement. Once we have that, you will know the amount, with no hidden fees, before proceeding.

Understanding Fees

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Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.

Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.