Shelton & Reecer PLLC
We are Shelton & Reecer P.L.L.C., a specialized estate planning and probate law firm in Denton County, TX, board certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Firm Overview
Our focused practice allows us to give clients the kind of personal attention they need and deserve in matters of-
-Estate planning
-Probate
-Probate litigation
-Wills and trusts
We assist persons of all ages, including retirees, in formulating strategies for the transfer of family wealth to younger generations and implementing those strategies with selected estate planning tools. When a loved one dies, we help our clients navigate through the probate court, and if necessary, represent them in court to uphold their rights.
Proven track record:
Our law firm is uniquely equipped to handle high level, complex estate tax law and estate issues as well as simple wills and trusts. We receive many referrals from other lawyers because of our specialization. We use time-tested tools and methodologies to help our clients plan for their future and administer the wishes of their deceased loved ones.
Our colleagues in the legal industry have given us the highest ratings for our adherence to professional standards of conduct and ethics, reliability, diligence and other criteria relevant to the discharge of professional responsibilities. We are also known for our legal knowledge, legal experience, analytical and communications abilities, and judgment. For our clients, this translates to high quality, professional service to meet all their estate planning, probate, and estate administration needs.
Main Office
Main Office
400 West Oak Street, Suite 201
Denton, TX 76201
Phone
940-382-3168
Estate Planning
Plan now for your family's future
Estate planning in Texas can be complex and confusing. There are many tools to consider when deciding how best to distribute your assets upon your death. Our highly specialized firm and our board-certified attorneys work diligently to understand your best interests and those of your family. Based on your answers to our estate planning questionnaire, we apply our years of practical experience to formulate estate planning strategies that best suit your needs. At Shelton & Reecer P.L.L.C., our lawyers approach each case individually and give each client the personal attention he or she deserves.
Valuable estate planning tools in Texas include:
-Wills
-Trusts, including special needs trusts and irrevocable life insurance trusts
-Powers of attorney
-Health care powers of attorney, including HIPAA documents
-Guardianships and children's trusts
-Family limited partnerships and LLCs
-Special needs trusts
Powers of attorney:
If you become incapacitated, you can appoint someone you trust to handle your assets. Typically, a power of attorney in Texas includes the power to-
-Manage and transfer all assets
-Handle any dealings with the IRS
-Make gifts on your behalf
-Create and amend trusts you establish
Health care powers of attorney:
If you are no longer able to make your own health care decisions, you can designate an agent under a power of attorney for health care to make those decisions on your behalf. The person you give this power to can consent or refuse treatment for you. The HIPAA documents allow your designated agent to have access to your medical records to make an informed decision.
Guardianships and children's trusts:
If you have young children, you may want to identify a guardian, who would take physical custody of your children and care for them daily in the event of your death. You may also wish to designate a person to hold your children's assets and make distributions to them based upon their needs.
Family limited partnerships and LLCs:
Family limited partnerships or limited liability companies (LLCs) are an effective asset protection and estate planning tool.
Frequently Asked Questions about estate planning:
What typically makes up an estate plan?
Your estate plan is intended to serve the unique needs of your family and may include:
-An appropriate will and/or trust
-Powers of attorney for business purposes in case of incompetence
-Medical power of attorney in case of incompetency
-Directives to your doctor(s) regarding life support
-Planning to eliminate or reduce death taxes
-Any final instructions you wish to provide
Why is it necessary to have an estate plan?
The purpose of estate planning is to maximize the benefits of transferring your assets to your beneficiaries after your death. Further, estate planning:
-Ensures that your assets are distributed to the people you designate in the most cost-effective way
-Minimizes the taxes on your estate
It is in your best interests and those of your family to plan ahead.
Gray Shelton
Gray Shelton is a member at the firm. He is admitted to practice in Texas. Mr. Shelton graduated from North Texas State University with a B.A. in 1967 and the University of Texas with his J.D. in 1971. He is a member of Denton County Bar Association, where he served as director from 1983-1984 and officer from 1990-1991. He is also a member of the State Bar of Texas, serving on the Grievance Committee and Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee for District 14B as a member from 1985-1991 and chairman from 1990-1991. Mr. Shelton is a member of the College of the State Bar of Texas and a fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation.
He is AV Preeminent Peer Review RatedSM by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest level of distinction an attorney can receive from his or her peers. Further, Mr. Shelton is Board Certified, Estate Planning and Probate Law, by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
His areas of practice include:
-Wills
-Trusts
-Trust planning
-Family trusts
-Living trusts
-Special needs trusts
-Pet trusts
-Probate
-Estates
-Estate planning
-Estate administration
-Estate settlements
-Trust and estate collections
-Powers of attorney
-Fiduciary law
-Family wealth transfer
-Wealth preservation
-Inheritance
Education
University of Texas
Juris Doctorate, 1971
Dena A. Reecer
Born in Stephenville, Texas, Dena Reecer is a member of the firm. She is admitted to practice in Texas and the U.S. District Court for the Western and Northern Districts of Texas. Dena graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a B.A. in 1985 and from Texas Tech University School of Law with her J.D. in 1988. A former assistant district attorney and county attorney pro tem, Ms. Reecer is a member of Denton County Bar Association, where she served as director/officer from 2004-2009 and as officer for the association's sections on Real Estate and Trust and Probate. She is a member of the State Bar of Texas and a member of the bar's sections on Real Estate and Trust and Probate. In addition, Ms. Reecer is a fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation and a member of the College of the State Bar of Texas.
Her areas of practice include:
-Wills
-Contested wills
-Living wills
-Trusts
-Trust planning
-Contested trusts
-Family trusts
-Living trusts
-Special needs trusts
-Pet trusts
-Trust litigation
-Probate
-Probate litigation
-Estates
-Estate planning
-Estate administration
-Estate litigation
-Estate settlements
-Trust and estate collections
-Powers of attorney
-Fiduciary law
-Family wealth transfer
-Wealth preservation
-Inheritance
Ms. Reecer is BV Distinguished Peer Review RatedSM by Martindale-Hubbell. She is also Board Certified, Estate Planning and Probate Law, by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Education
Texas Tech University School of Law
Juris Doctorate, 1988