Practice Areas
Probate and Estate Administration
Disposing of the estate of a loved one isn’t something people do very often. Most people have never been involved in probating an estate before and they don’t know where to begin.
Someday, you may find yourself in the situation where your loved one has died, and you are the executor of their estate. Or, perhaps your loved one died without a will and you need the court to appoint you as the administrator. No matter how simple or complex the estate may be, the probate process can often be emotional and overwhelming.
Probate is the process that ensures that the property of a loved one is legally and properly transferred to the person(s) entitled to receive the property. The probate process may include proving the validity of a will, ensuring the appointment of a personal representative, identifying and locating the loved one’s heirs, inventorying assets, and distributing property to the heirs or beneficiaries.
Shelia McCoy, Attorney at Law, will work to ensure your loved one’s wishes are carried out as efficiently and effectively as possible. She provides caring and confidential legal help to guide you through the probate and estate administration process. Shelia McCoy, Attorney at Law, will assist you in performing your legal duties while relieving your stress and worries. She will take the time to understand what you’ve gone through and guide you through the court proceedings.
Shelia McCoy, Attorney at Law, is prepared to assist you with any and all of your probate needs, including:
- Probate of a Will and Letters Testamentary
- Letters of Administration
- Judicial Determination of Heirship
- Independent Administration
- Dependent Administration
- Muniment of Title
- Affidavit Concerning the Identity of Heirs (Affidavit of Heirship)
Shelia McCoy, Attorney at Law, is here to help you with all of the estate administration tasks, including:
- Marshaling or selling assets
- Deciding whether you need to file the will for probate
- Meeting deadlines
- Distributing assets to beneficiaries
- Paying debts, taxes or dealing with creditors
Don’t let the complexities of the probate and estate administration process overwhelm you. Trust Shelia McCoy, Attorney at Law, to provide confidential guidance as you navigate this process. With her personalized approach and unwavering commitment to client satisfaction, she will work tirelessly to make the probate process as smooth and stress-free as possible for you.
Shelia McCoy will work with clients in the East Texas area as well as out-of-state representatives who need to private an East Texas estate.
Divorce
Compassionate Texas Divorce Lawyer Provides Guidance and Advice
Reliable family law firm helps clients in the Marshall area
The dissolution of a marriage is emotional and stressful, even when both partners agree that it’s the right decision. As a caring attorney, Attorney Shelia McCoy helps ease the legal strain of divorce so you can concentrate on the health and well-being of your family. Representing divorcing spouses in the Marshall area and throughout Texas, I work to reach favorable arrangements for the care of your children and the division of your shared property. My knowledge of Texas laws and practices enables me to provide advice on all aspects of divorce and to address any questions or concerns you may have so that you can have confidence moving forward.
Dedicated advocate strives for fair support and property arrangements
Attorney Shelia McCoy will listen to your needs and consider your goals as I work to develop solutions for all aspects of your divorce. I handle matters of:
- Child custody and visitation — Court orders determine where your child will live, how parenting time will be split and to what degree each parent gets to make decisions about their child’s life.
- Child support — A number of factors are used to calculate child support payments, from each parent’s income to each child’s particular needs. I will seek an order that protects your child’s welfare.
- Distribution of property — The division of your home and other assets often depends on whether property is owned by a couple (“marital property”) or by just one spouse. I will press for a fair division.
- Division of marital debts — Both spouses may be accountable for debts accrued by the couple, or one partner may be found to be more responsible.
- Spousal support and temporary support — Whether you seek spousal support, also known as alimony, on a permanent or temporary basis or must pay it, I will seek a fair determination so that divorce doesn’t leave you financially strapped.
With commitment and conviction, my firm will seek fair arrangements on your behalf, always keeping in mind your best interests and those of your children.
Experienced family lawyer encourages cooperation and carefully handles litigation
Most couples will first try to settle their differences in mediation rather than opting to let a judge decide the terms of their divorce. Mediation gives you and your spouse the opportunity to work with a trained facilitator to negotiate settlements in an amicable setting that fosters cooperation between partners and usually produces less stress than litigation. Mediation often reduces the time and cost of divorce, but most importantly, it puts the decisions in your hands.
If litigation is necessary to reach just and equitable resolutions to alimony, custody and other matters, I am prepared to advocate on your behalf in pursuit of the most favorable outcome. Having a committed lawyer by your side can alleviate the uncertainty and stress of court and help you obtain a favorable trial outcome.
Mediation
Texas Mediator Guides Clients Through the Alternative Dispute Resolution Process
Skilled attorney acts as a neutral facilitator to help people in the Marshall area solve legal problems
Attorney Shelia McCoy offers mediation services as a trained, experienced and impartial attorney. I work with parties in the Marshall area and throughout Texas to resolve disputes without litigation. If you’re going through divorce, have a contract dispute, or want to settle a property conflict, mediation gives you control over the legal process and can often provide more expedient, predictable results than going to trial. I also work to create comfortable and productive environments so that legal adversaries can come together as partners and reach a resolution.
Dedicated mediator explains the mediation process
Under Texas law, mediation can be used as a form of alternative dispute resolution for certain cases. Mediation allows you and your attorney to work with the opposing party to try to find a solution to your legal issue on your terms and in a more private setting than court provides. As an experienced mediator, I act as an impartial third party, focused on helping both sides reach an agreement.
I mediate many types of disputes, including:
- Divorce
- Pre-Divorce Settlements
- Child Custody
- Contract Disputes
- Debt Collections
- Landlord-Tenant Disputes
My goal is to help both sides reach a compromise on the issues they face. I guide parties in communicating effectively so they can reach an agreement that satisfies each side. I also encourage you to create your own solutions and then record those solutions in writing with the help of your attorney.
Mediation offers various benefits over litigation
Mediation is typically faster, less expensive and less formal than litigation. It allows the parties to retain more control over the process while protecting their privacy. It is also nonbinding, meaning that you will not be forced to sign or agree to any resolution you are not happy with.
Mediation helps preserve relationships
In many cases, both parties are best served when they establish a cordial relationship. Through the structured process of mediation, you can set aside hostility and agree on key points. Mediation can be a highly effective tool for you to preserve the stability and well-being of family, employment, community or business relationships while resolving your legal matter. Most importantly, the nature of the mediation process reduces the stress of legal conflicts and puts important decisions in your hands rather than in the court’s.