Business Details
41 Years
experience
Dallas Probate & Trust Litigation Attorneys
For over three decades, our firm has specialized in complex probate litigation, representing clients across Texas in matters involving will contests, trust disputes, and guardianships. Our practice is built on three generations of legal expertise, combining deep family collaboration with a commitment to resolving emotionally sensitive cases. We maintain an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, reflecting our adherence to the highest ethical and professional standards. Our attorneys, including multiple Super Lawyers honorees, handle both sides of probate disputes to provide balanced perspectives and strategic counsel.We prioritize personalized service, tailoring legal strategies to individual client needs while maintaining accessibility through offices in Dallas. Our experience spans heirship determinations, fiduciary breach cases, and mediation, with a track record of successful resolutions in over 90% of cases through negotiated settlements.
Services
Estate Litigation
Trust Litigation
Will Contests
Guardianships
Mediation
Details
- Year established: 1985
Highlights and features
- Three generations of combined probate litigation experience
- AV-rated excellence from Martindale-Hubbell since 1985
- Multiple attorneys recognized as Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
- Specialized exclusively in probate litigation since formation
- Proven success resolving 90% of cases through mediation
Associations and certifications
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating
- Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers
- Texas Board of Legal Specialization (Estate Planning & Probate Law)
Services
Estate Litigation
We handle contested probate matters including will challenges, executor removals, and heirship determinations. Our attorneys represent clients in disputes over estate administration and asset distribution following decedent deaths. With decades of courtroom experience, we provide strategic counsel for complex estate conflicts requiring litigation resolution.
Trust Litigation
Our practice includes trust contests, fiduciary breach claims, and trustee removal proceedings. We represent beneficiaries and fiduciaries in disputes involving trust administration, modifications, and termination. Our team handles both pre- and post-settlor death trust litigation with specialized expertise in fiduciary accountability matters.
Guardianships
We assist with guardianship establishment for minors and incapacitated adults, including contested proceedings. Our attorneys handle guardianship modifications, removals, and related estate management issues. We provide representation for family members seeking protective arrangements and defend against contested guardianship petitions in Texas probate courts.
Will Contests
Our firm specializes in contested will proceedings, representing both challengers and defenders of testamentary documents. We handle capacity disputes, undue influence claims, and contested probate administrations. Our experience includes complex multi-party will contests requiring detailed forensic analysis and expert testimony.
Mediation
We facilitate negotiated settlements for probate disputes through formal mediation proceedings. Our attorneys participate in structured negotiations to resolve estate and trust conflicts before trial. With 90% of cases settling through mediation, we focus on cost-effective resolutions while maintaining readiness for courtroom advocacy when necessary.
People
Will F. Hartnett
Partner
Board-certified probate attorney with 30+ years of experience in complex estate litigation. Recognized as Super Lawyer from 2003-2017. Specializes in will contests and fiduciary breach cases.
James J. Hartnett Jr.
Partner
Two-time Texas Lawyer Go-To attorney for trusts and estates. Handles high-stakes probate litigation across Texas. Served as Dallas Bar Association Probate Section chair.
Tanner Hartnett
Partner
Thomson Reuters Rising Star honoree in 2019. Focuses on guardianships and probate administrations. Recipient of The Honorable Nikki DeShazo Pro Bono Award for DFW service.
Melinda Hartnett
Partner
Licensed in New York and Texas. Specializes in guardianship cases and complex estate disputes. Provides cross-jurisdictional expertise for multi-state probate matters.
Patrick Crim
Partner
Baylor University graduate with focus on general probate litigation. Handles contested estate administrations and fiduciary representation matters.
Questions
What areas of law does Hartnett Law Firm specialize in?
We specialize exclusively in probate litigation, including will contests, trust disputes, guardianships, and fiduciary breach cases across Texas.
How long has the firm been in practice?
Our Dallas-based firm has provided probate litigation services since 1985, with three generations of family attorneys practicing continuously.
Do you handle cases outside Dallas?
Yes, we represent clients in probate courts throughout Texas, with experience handling multi-jurisdictional cases requiring coordinated legal strategies.
What recognition has the firm received?
We maintain Martindale-Hubbell's AV Preeminent rating and include multiple Super Lawyers and Rising Stars honorees since 2003.
How are legal fees structured?
We provide personalized fee arrangements tailored to case complexity, with transparent billing practices and options for retainer-based representation.
Can you handle contested guardianship cases?
Yes, our attorneys represent parties in contested guardianship proceedings, including capacity determinations and guardian removal disputes.
