Don D. Ford III
Top rated Estate & Trust Litigation attorney in Houston, Texas
Practice Areas:
Estate & Trust Litigation,
Estate Planning & Probate,
Trusts,
Wills
Education Qualification:
Baylor University School of Law
Practice Areas:
Estate & trust litigation,
Estate planning & probate,
Trusts,
Wills
700 Louisiana Street, 41st FloorHouston, Texas, 77002
First Admitted: 1997, Texas
Professional Webpage: https://fordbergner.com/texas-lawyers/don-ford/
Bar / Professional Activity:
- Commissioner, Judicial Branch Certification Commission (2014 - Present). The Commission is a 9-member body that adjudicates, among other things, complaints regarding private, professional guardians. , 2020
- Texas Guardianship Association, Member, 2007 - Present
- National Business Institute, Member, Faculty and Planning Committee, 2003 - Present
- Houston Bar Foundation, Member, 2006 - Present
- The Houston Lawyer Editorial Board member (Guest Editor Jan/Feb 2002, March/April 2003, and March/April 2010). Board member 2000-present., 2000
- Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow, 2011 - Present, Member, Membership Nominating Committee, 2011
- Continuing Legal Education Committee member for the Houston Bar Association
- Houston Lawyer Referral Service, Board of Trustees, Member, 2001-2012, President 2010 - 2011. Board member 2001 - Present, Immediate Past President, 2011-2012, President-Elect, 2009-2010, Vice President, 2002-2003, 2008-2009, Chair, Suspension and Termination Committee, 2002-2003, 2006-2007, Chair, Publicity Committee, 2005-2006, Chair, Experienced Panel Standards Committee, 2004-2005
- Disability & Elder Law Attorneys' Association, Member, 1999 - Present
- Commissioner, Judicial Branch Certification Commission -- Appointed by the Supreme Court of Texas to serve as a Commissioner in overseeing issues related to private professional guardians. Rules Task Force, 2013 – Present, 2014
- Texas Guardianship Certification Board (Rules Committee Chair, Disciplinary Review Committee member, Legislative Committee Member). Board member, 2006 - Present, 2006
- Probate, Trusts and Estates section member of the Houston Bar Association, 2020
- Attorneys in Tax and Probate Section Member for the Houston Bar Association, 2002 - Present
Special Licenses / Certifications:
- Certified Mediator, Straus Institute of Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine University School of Law. Mediation Certification Program completed August 2009
- Guardianship Certification Board, Appointed by Chief Justice of Texas Supreme Court Board Member, 2006 - Present, Rules Committee (Chairman, 2006 - Present), Legislative Committee (Member, 2007 Texas Legislative Session)
- Board Certified in Estate Planning and Probate, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 2010 - Present , 2010
Educational Background:
- Baylor University School of Business, Bachelor of Business Administration, Accounting, 1994
- Baylor University, Post-Graduate Courses, Masters in Taxation
White Papers:
- Authored paper on Tax issues in a probate case. Presented paper at continuing education course on the same topic., Tax Issues in probate, Attorneys, Accountants, 2024
- Authored paper on litigating a contested probate estate. Presented paper in continuing education seminar on the same topic., Litigating the Contested Estate, Attorneys, 2024
Scholarly Lectures / Writings:
- Presented continuing education presentation to attorneys on the topic of litigating a contested estate proceeding., Speaker, Litigating the Contested Estate, Attorneys, 2024
- Presented continuing education lecture on the appropriate steps in Closing a Probate Estate to attorneys., Speaker, Closing the Probate Estate, Attorneys, Accountants, 2023
- Presented continuing education lecture on Tax Issues in Probate for attorneys and accountants., Speaker, Tax Issues in Probate, Attorneys, Accountants, 2024
- Probate Practice: The Essential Basics, Basic Tax Matters; Common Probate Problems and How to Solve Them, 2006
- Alternatives to Guardianships, Houston Bar Association’s Probate Court Ad Litem Certification Course, 2002
- Oddities and Challenges in Texas Probate Law, Who’s in Charge? Issues Affecting Personal Representatives; Miscellaneous Odd and Challenging Issues in Probate, 2004
- Top 10 Estate Planning Techniques, Testamentary Trusts (Bypass and QTIP); Business Entities (An Overview of the Basics); Revocable Living Trusts vs. Traditional Wills, 2009
- The Probate Process from Start to Finish, The Laws of Intestacy and How They May Apply; Litigating the Case in Probate Course; Putting the Case to Rest: Closing the Estate, 2008
- Probate: Beyond the Basics, Tips for Avoiding Liability Issues You May Face in Closing; Preparing for Challenging Litigation Issues in Probate Proceedings, 2008
- South Texas College of Law Real Estate Law Conference, Probate Issues in Real Estate, 2014
- Hidalgo County Bar Association Guardianship Course, Fundamentals of Guardianship Litigation with an Emphasis on Discovery, 2011
- Fundamentals of Trust Administration, Overcoming Ethical Challenges; Essential Steps in Trust Termination, 2012
- The Probate Process from Start to Finish, Administering the Estate Effectively; Uncovering the Laws of Intestacy and How They May Apply; Putting the Case to Rest: Closing the Estate, 2013
- Estate Planning from A to Z, 2013
- The Probate Process from Start to Finish for Paralegals, 2013
- The Guardianship Certification Board: A Legislative Attempt to Protect The Elderly, The Houston Lawyer Magazine, May/June 2006
- The Probate Process from Start to Finish, 2016
- Denton County Probate Bar, Intestacy in Blended Families, 2016
- Institute for Paralegal Education, The Probate Process from Start to Finish for Paralegals, 2016
- Texas Center for the Judiciary: Civil Justice Conference, Improving Court Processes & Practices in Guardianship Cases, 2017
- Frequent lecturer and writer with articles having appeared in The Houston Chronicle, The Houston Lawyer magazine, Forbes and various online and continuing education publications. Frequent speaker at continuing legal education courses in the areas of Probate, Trusts, and Guardianships.
- A Review of How to Build and Manage an Estates Practice, The Houston Lawyer Magazine, July/August 2008
- A Review of Law Firm Fees & Compensation: Value & Growth Dynamics, The Houston Lawyer Magazine, January/February 2009
- Muniment of Title: The Misunderstood Method of Probate, March 1, 2006
- Estate Tax Repeal: Miracle or Myth? The Houston Chronicle, August 31, 2001
- Fundamental Issues to Understand Before Accepting a Guardianship Litigation Engagement, The Advocate Litigation Magazine, State Bar of Texas Litigation Section, Fall 2009
- Your Complete Guide to Leaving an Inheritance for Your Children and Others, Atlantic Publishing Group, Inc., 2008
- Estate Planning Makes Tax Sense, Turf Magazine, March 2013
- The Houston Lawyer Magazine, Editorial Board Member, 2000 - Present, Guest Editor: Solo and Small Firms Issue; March/April 2010, Guest Editor: The Debate Over Judicial Selection Issue; March/April 2003, Guest Editor: Professionalism Issue; January/February 2002
- Guest Faculty, September 2007
- Guest speaker at the annual meeting of the Texas College of Probate Judges, September 2006.
Industry Groups:
- Commissioner on the Judicial Branch Certification Commission
- Editorial Board Member For The Houston Lawyer Magazine
- Houston Lawyer Referral Service Board Of Trustees (President 2010-2011)
- Judicial Branch Certification Commission
- Texas Guardianship Certification Board Member
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