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Gratia

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GP Schoemakers, PLLC
  • Estate Planning, Probate, Arbitration & Mediation ...
  • Texas
Review This Lawyer
Lawyer Rating and Reviews
Legal Knowledge
5.0/5.0
Legal Analysis
5.0/5.0
Communication Skills
5.0/5.0
Ethics and Professionalism
5.0/5.0
David Minh Nguyen
David Minh Nguyen September 30, 2021
Rating: 10 Lawyer Rating - 10 out of 10
I have known Grace for several years. Since I have known her, she has not given me any reason to doubt her ability as an attorney. Grace is well liked and respected in the legal community. I have referred many clients to Grace and I will continue to do so. She has earned my trust.
Client Reviews
Carlos Bauer October 12, 2021
My best election for Probate! I really love to write this review for someone who helped me navigate a storm in my Life. I lost my Father in February 2021, I am the only child and was appointed as the Executor of his Estate, and needed to open Probate, I had no idea of what this meant, I just kept reading on google how hard and complicated process it is. I talked to 9 Attorneys who just made me more confused, until I finally found Grace, and in a second I knew we would work together. She helped me in everything, she made it easy to me and solved all my doubts and fears with this process. We got the Probate process done successfully, and today I appreciate her a lot, she is a very professional and amazing person. The fee we agreed on the first call was what I payed in the end, I really suggest that if you are reading this and need to open Probate for an Estate, give Grace your case, she will be your best choice. Gracias Grace =)
Jonathan A. October 10, 2021
Exceptional Service! Grace assisted our family with preparing some legal documents and advice recently. Before selecting her, I read all of her public reviews and all were very positive. I was able to set up a Zoom appointment with Grace very quickly and talk thru our scenario. We then scheduled an in-person follow up meeting at her office very soon thereafter. She is very personable and is able to communicate legal speak in clear layman’s terms. I highly recommend her as a go-to lawyer!
Badges
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Biography

With over 15 years of legal experience, Gratia goes to great lengths to ensure that every one of her clients, no matter the challenges they face, receives the compassion and respect they rightfully deserve. She is committed to personally guiding you through your legal journey, infusing it with her distinctive personal approach, empathy, and unwavering values.

Gratia has assisted numerous clients in crafting their Trusts & Estate Plans, adeptly represented them in both uncontested and contested Probate cases, and provided invaluable support in matters such as Divorce, Paternity, Visitation, Child Support, and Adoption cases. Furthermore, Gratia boasts extensive experience as a certified mediator, specializing in civil, probate, and family law disputes.

Practice Areas
Estate Planning
Guardianship & Conservatorship Estate Administration, Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills
Probate
Probate Administration, Probate Litigation, Will Contests
Arbitration & Mediation
Business - Arbitration/Mediation, Consumer - Arbitration/Mediation, Family - Arbitration/Mediation
Business Law
Business Contracts, Business Dissolution, Business Formation
Family Law
Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Same Sex Family Law
Video Conferencing
  • FaceTime
  • Zoom
  • WhatsApp
Fees
  • Free Consultation
  • Credit Cards Accepted
    All major credit cards accepted
  • Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
    Most of our services are flat fees for non-contested cases, price is agreed in advance, so there are no surprises. All contested cases are hourly and require retainers.
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Texas
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Languages
  • Dutch
  • English
Professional Experience
Founder/Attorney
GP Schoemakers, PLLC
- Current
Intern
Pfizer, Patent Department
Legal Intern
U.S District Court, Eastern District of Missouri
Education
Washington University School of Law
J.D. (2008) | Law
Washington University School of Law Logo
Washington University School of Law
LL.M. | IP & Technologies Law
Washington University School of Law Logo
Washington University School of Law
LL.M. (2005) | Contracts and Business Law
Washington University School of Law Logo
Maastricht University, Faculty of Law
Doctorate (2004) | Dutch & European Law
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Maastricht University, Faculty of Law
LL.M. (2004) | International Law and Legal Studies
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Awards
Excellent Rating
Avvo
Client Champion - SILVER
Martindale-Hubbell
Professional Associations
American Bar Association
Member
Current
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State Bar of Texas
Member
Current
Activities: Real Estate, Probate and Trust Section; Business Law Section; Family Law Section
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Texas Bar College
Fellow
Current
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Bay Area Bar Association
Member
Current
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Collaborative Divorce Texas
Member
Current
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Publications
Articles & Publications
Is your Estate Plan Outdated?
Avvo Legal Guide
Do I need a business plan?
Avvo Legal Guide
What does a Business plan cover?
Avvo Legal Guide
What to keep in mind when choosing your legal entity...
Avvo Legal Guide
Speaking Engagements
Discover how to make sure you have the Greatest Form of Self Care Possible For Your Business, Business Entrepreneurs Networking
LIFT your business, GP SCHOEMAKERS, PLLC
Basic Estate Planning & Guardian, Parent Workshop
Certifications
Certified Mediator in Civil, Probate, and Family Law
Websites & Blogs
Website
Blog
GP Schoemakers, PLLC
Legal Answers
28 Questions Answered
Q. How can I add my wife's name to the property's title for full ownership?
A: If you add your wife (which you can do via a Gift Deed, or Warranty Deed), she will be the full owner at that point in time. If she dies before you, you will have to go through probate and hope the law in your jurisdiction will give it back to you.

Other options: Transfer on Death (most jurisdictions have it), Make a Last Will and Testament, Create a Revocable Living Trust.
Q. What should I do with a deceased person's documents found on a job site in Texas?
A: Since you've found sensitive personal documents belonging to a deceased person, including a will, social security numbers, and court records, you should handle them carefully to avoid legal or ethical issues. Here are the recommended steps (not legal advice):

1. Do Not Destroy or Discard the Documents

These documents may be important for the deceased person's estate or surviving family members.

2. Determine If There Are Any Contact Details

Look for names, addresses, or phone numbers of next of kin, an executor, or an attorney who may be handling the estate.

If the will names an executor, that person is responsible for handling the deceased’s affairs.

3. Notify the Property Owner or Executor

If you're working on a property under a contract, notify the property owner (or the contractor if they are the intermediary).

If the property is abandoned or changing ownership, check if an executor has been appointed.

4. Check Probate Court Records

If the will has been filed in probate court, the court may have information on the executor or beneficiaries.

You can check with the local probate court to see if an estate case is open for the deceased.

5. Hand Over to Proper Authorities if No Heirs Are Found

If you cannot locate an executor or family member, consider handing the documents to the probate court or law enforcement (especially for documents with Social Security numbers, as they could be misused for fraud).

6. Do Not Share or Disclose Private Information

Avoid sharing the contents of these documents with unauthorized persons to prevent identity theft or privacy breaches.

If in doubt: Take it to local law enforcement, make a report of how you found it, give them pictures if any.
... Read More
Q. Does my stepdaughter have right of heirship from home sale proceeds?
A: It depends. If your spouse left the house to only you in a will, no one other than you has a right to the house.

However if he left it in shares to multiple people under the will (including the child that he gave up for adoption), multiple people would have a right to it, including the adopted child.

If he died without a will, Texas law would leave his share of the house to his kid(s) (with the a life estate right to you).

Exception is when a parent gives up his parental rights (gives a child up for adoption) the child that has been adopted generally loses the right to inherit from their biological parents through intestate succession.

The only way to really find out what would apply to you is to go and visit with a probate attorney in your jurisdiction and find out what your rights are. ... Read More
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Contact & Map
GP Schoemakers, PLLC
1100 E. NASA PARKWAY
Suite 420J
HOUSTON, TX 77058
US
Telephone: (832) 408-0505
Fax: (832) 632-4949
Monday: 8 PM - 6 PM
Tuesday: 8 AM - 6 PM
Wednesday: 8 AM - 6 PM
Thursday: 8 AM - 6 PM
Friday: 8 AM - 6 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed (Today)