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Patricia B. Cole

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Burnett Plaza, Suite 2000
801 Cherry St., Unit 46
Fort Worth, TX 76102-6836
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Assistant: Lee Ann McAfee Burks
817.336.2400

Practice Areas & Experience

Probate Litigation:

Representation of executors, heirs and beneficiaries in will contests, representation in contested guardianships, representation in breach of fiduciary duties issues in estates and trusts. Also, representing the executor, heirs and beneficiaries in small to large estates and trusts, including probating of wills, guardianships and other issues in estates and trusts.

Business Litigation:

Representation of business in issues including contract disputes, formation disputes, taxation disputes, and defenses in business litigation cases.

Estate Planning:

Assisting clients in preparation of wills, powers of attorney, living trusts and other revocable trusts, insurance trusts, Grantor Retained Annuity Trust “GRAT”, family limited partnerships and other estate tax planning documents.

Corporate Law:

Handling corporate issues, rights and obligations, drafting and reviewing contracts, leases, licenses, employment contracts, franchise documents, acquisition documents and advising corporations on statutes and legislature that affects their business. Also, experienced with corporate formation, formalities, drafting of by-laws and regulations, general business advice and contract drafting of all corporate matters and acting registered agent for various corporations.

Education

  • Louisiana State University, (B.A., 1996)
  • Texas Wesleyan University School of Law, (J.D., 2000)

Court Admissions

  • State Bar of Texas, (2000)
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas, (2002)
  • United States Tax Court, (2002)
  • United States Supreme Court, (2011)

Awards & Recognition

  • "Legacy of Women Award" by SafeHaven of tarrant County, 2011
  • Appointed to the Family and Protective Services Council by Governor Perry, (2011 – 2017)
  • "Tarrant County's Top Attorneys" by Ft Worth TX Magazine, (2005 - 2010)
  • "Rising Star" by Texas Monthly Magazine, (2006) 
  •  "40 under 40" by Fort Worth Business Press, (2003)
  • West Texas Legal Services – voted “Outstanding PAI Attorney”, (2001 and 2002)

Publications and Speaking Engagements

  • Estate Planning (April 2011) - People's Law School
  • Importance of Estate Planning, (April 2011) – People’s Law School
  • Small Businesses are the Key to U.S. Economic Recovery, (June 2010) Fort Worth Business Press
  • Ethics of Estate Planning, (May 2010) - Tax and Estate Planning Section of the Tarrant County Bar
  • Ethics of Estate Planning,( March 2010) - Johnson County Bar Association 
  • Year-end Tax Savings Options for Small Business Owners, (Dec 2009) Fort Worth Business Press
  • Reporting Abuse of the Elderly, (Oct. 2009) Fort Worth Business Press
  • Fort Worth Chamber Workshop: Ethics Impact Success, (Sept. 2009)
  • Social Security: Will it be Here When You Need It? (July 2008) Fort Worth Business Press
  • Women Face Financials Issues as They Age, (April 2008) Fort Worth Business Press 
     

 Memberships

  • Tarrant County Probate Bar (Member), (2000 - Present) 
  • Guardianship Association (Member), (2007 - Present)
  • Tarrant County Bar Association, (2000- Present; 2008 Chair Estate and Tax Section)
  • Fellow of Tarrant County Bar Foundations, (2004 - Present)
  • State Bar of Texas, (Member, Probate, Trust and Estate Section, Business Section, Tax Section
  • Fort Worth Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association, (1998 - 2008) (President, 2006)

Community Involvement

  • Family and Protective Service (Council)
  • Leadership Fort Worth, (Class of 2011)
  • Southcliff Baptist Church, (2002 - Present)
  • Louisiana State University Alumni, (1998 – Present)
  • Clark Educational Services, Inc. (BOD)
  • EMCF (BOD)
  • Lena Pope Home, Inc. (volunteer)  
  • Legal Aid of North Texas - Will Clinic (volunteer)
  • Habitat for Humanity (volunteer)
  • Big Brothers-Big Sisters (volunteer)