Live 24/7 Call Answering - Call Us Today! Texas Board-Certified Estate Planning Attorney
Money Protection for Your Life and Business
-
29 Years
Serving Central Texas
-
Bilingual
Services Offered
-
4
Books Published
-
100+
Of Estate Plans Created
-
Free
Initial Consultations
Central Texas Estate Planning and Probate Lawyer
We believe that everyone deserves the peace of mind that comes with knowing your future is secure, no matter your age or personal circumstances. Our firm is proud to serve families and businesses throughout Central Texas with experienced legal guidance tailored to your unique goals and interests.
Whether you’re looking to build an estate plan or form a business, we’re here to advise and advocate for you. Each of these areas of law involve ongoing maintenance and compliance, and we’ll be here for you every step of the way. Call or message us today to set up your initial consultation.
Schedule ConsultationWhen You Don’t Plan, They Pay! Join us November 11th for our next live event.
Our Practice Areas
Business Formation
Wills and Trusts
Entity Maintenance
Estate Planning
Probate
Title Closings
Business Formation
Let us help you build a strong foundation for your business and protect your personal assets with your ideal legal structure.
Learn More Wills and Trusts
We craft personalized wills and trusts to protect your legacy, helping Texas families preserve their wealth and pass on their values to future generations.
Learn More
Entity Maintenance
Offering experienced and comprehensive counsel, we’ll help you keep your business compliant and running smoothly.
Learn More Estate Planning
Design a roadmap for your loved ones to follow that provides them with security and protects your legacy after you’re gone.
Learn More
Probate
Whether your goal is to help your family avoid probate or lead them through it with as little stress as possible, we’re here to help.
Learn More
Title Closings
Get custom legal advice and thorough document prep support to foster a seamless and painless real estate closing experience.
Learn More Estate planning for the win
Clarify Your Wishes, Protect Your Legacy
Many people only think of hiring a lawyer when something needs to be fixed. I see things differently. I am attorney Joseph Michael Dickerson. Colleagues tell me I’m a different kind of lawyer. I like building things rather than breaking things apart. Since graduating from St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio in 1995, I have always focused my career on helping people prevent problems now, so they don’t have to fix them later. Specializing in asset protection for families and business owners, my team and I are ready to serve you today.
Mr. Odom
Yesinia Dickey
Brenda and Stephen Paris
Feb 2020 Client
Jan 2020 Client
Mr. & Mrs. Barr
Mr. & Mrs. Clinton
Aida Lujan
Mr. Puig
Mr. Riojas
Oct 2020 Client
Rosa Maria Vargas
Client Testimonials
Helping our clients with some of the most important moments of their lives means so much to our firm. We are grateful to those clients who have shared their “Dickerson Law” stories with us for sharing on our website.
If you would like to be our clients as well, contact our firm to arrange an opportunity to discuss your life’s goals.
View More
Serving the New Braunfels, Texas Area
You deserve a local lawyer you can trust. Our attorney at The J.M. Dickerson Law Firm is an active member of the town’s Chambers of Commerce and is passionate about connecting with community members on both personal and professional levels. We want our clients to feel like they’re visiting a friendly neighbor when they walk into the front doors of our firm, because that’s the energy we approach every case with, personable, compassionate, and willing to go the extra mile for you when you need us.
New Braunfels, Texas
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Do I need a small business license?
Texas does not require a general small business license, but specific industries or local governments may have certain licensing requirements that you’ll need to look into. For example, businesses in the fields of childcare, construction, and food service often need special permits or licenses to operate legally. It’s important to research the specific rules associated with your industry and municipality to make sure you start off on the right foot. Schedule a consultation with our firm today to get personalized advice from a skilled business lawyer. Learn More → -
How does a living will work?
Living wills outline your preferences for medical treatment in the event of you becoming terminally ill or permanently unconscious/incapacitated. When creating this document, you’ll specify whether you wish to receive life-sustaining treatments and, if so, for how long. With a living will in place, your medical team and loved ones will be able to follow these preferences with confidence, rather than try to make decisions on your behalf. Learn more about the benefits and properties of living wills and other planning tools when you set up a consultation with our knowledgeable and client-recommended law firm. Learn More → -
What are the four types of powers of attorney?
The four types of powers of attorney (POA) are general, durable, special (or limited) and medical. Each of these serves a different purpose and grants different levels of authority. If you’re weighing your options, be sure to contact our board-certified Texas estate planning lawyer, we’ll answer your questions and help you construct an estate plan that holistically addresses your health and financial goals. Learn More → -
What is required for a medical power of attorney?
To create a valid medical POA in Texas, you must be at least 18 years old, of sound mind, and complete a written document that names your chosen agent. You must sign the document in the presence of a notary public or two adult witnesses who are not your agent nor related to you. This document empowers you to appoint someone to make healthcare decisions on your behalf in case you ever become incapacitated, so it’s important to choose someone that you trust wholeheartedly. Our experienced estate planning attorney can walk you through this process and help you make informed decisions. Learn More → -
What’s the difference between a healthcare directive and a DNR?
Also known as an advance directive, a healthcare directive outlines your preferences for medical treatment, while a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order specifically instructs medical teams to not perform CPR if your heart were to stop. Both documents have a part to play in end-of-life planning, but the key difference is how an advance directive covers a wider range of medical decisions, like life support, feeding tubes, etc., and is often part of a comprehensive estate plan, while a DNR is much more specific to CPR and is typically only used in emergency or hospital settings. Passionate about helping people protect and clarify their wishes, we’ll be happy to go over these documents and other planning strategies during your initial consultation. Learn More →
Probate CAN be avoided.
Learn how with JMD’s free book.
Having a Will guarantees you will have to go to probate court before any benefits are distributed to heirs. Avoiding probate will save your family time, money, and headaches and Mr. Dickerson wrote the book on it. Click here for your free electronic version of JMD’s book, The Texan’s Guide of the Probate Process.
Access the Free BookWhat Our Clients Have To Say
As our client, you and your goals will always come first. Read a few testimonials from people who have been in your shoes.
In the Press
We’re proud to be featured in local news and media for our efforts to guide families through estate planning and probate. Explore our recent press appearances and interviews below.
Learn MoreNews & Legal Updates
-
The Hidden Risks of DIY: Why Estate Planning is Not a “Self-Help” Project
Our friends at DP Legal Solutions discuss how in an era where you can learn to plumb a sink or learn a new language via a smartphone app, the “Do-It-Yourself” (DIY) spirit is stronger than ever. It’s empowering to take control of your affairs, and for many, the…
Learn more -
What Your Business Attorney Needs From You
The attorney-client relationship works in both directions. Your business attorney brings legal knowledge, experience, and judgment to the table. But they also need something from you. Understanding what counsel requires from clients helps you become more effective in that role and receive better guidance in return. Our friends…
Learn more -
10 Tips For Discussing Plans With Your Lawyer
Estate planning meetings can feel intimidating. You’re discussing private family matters, complicated financial information, and difficult end-of-life decisions with someone you may have just met. Our friends at Carpenter & Lewis PLLC discuss how preparation and open communication lead to better planning outcomes and stronger attorney-client relationships. Your…
Learn more
Connect With Our Legal Team
Your future matters to us. Reach out and let’s get started.