Jerry D. Zant, Attorney

Jerry is a shareholder in the Estate Planning and Probate Section. He is Board Certified in Estate Planning and Probate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and is a past president of the Midland Business and Estate Council. Jerry has frequently presented programs to both lay and professional audiences on estate planning subjects and is admitted to practice law in all Texas courts and the United States Supreme Court.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

Estate Planning and Probate

Jerry advises clients in all aspects of estate planning, including preparation of wills and the establishment and modification of trusts. He assists clients with various techniques designed to reduce estate and gift taxes, such as by-pass trust and marital deduction planning, together with planning designed to avoid or reduce the impact of the generation-skipping transfer tax.

Jerry routinely advises fiduciaries, such as executors, administrators, trustees, and estate beneficiaries concerning probate, administration, and disposition of decedents estates, in both contested and uncontested matters. When litigation is inevitable, Jerry joins in the efforts with the firms Litigation Section to prepare for trial of contested probate matters.

Jerry is experienced in advising family members of incompetent persons regarding guardianships and helps guardians understand their duties and responsibilities to their incompetent wards. Jerry also advises clients to plan for the possibility of future incapacity by preparing pre-need guardian designations as well as other documents such as Directives to Physicians, Medical Powers of Attorney, and Living Trusts to address possible future needs.

EDUCATION

• Brigham Young University, 1981
• J.D., Texas Tech University, 1984