James M. McNeel

Competent handling of a contested will, but communication was inconsistent

I hired James McNeel of McNeel Law to represent me in a contested will matter after my father's passing. My siblings and I were in a difficult dispute over the interpretation of trust provisions. Mr. McNeel's 14 years of experience in trusts and estates litigation in Fort Worth were evident. He clearly understood the Texas probate court procedures and his recognition in tax law was a relevant factor in our discussions about the estate's implications. The legal strategy he developed was sound, and we ultimately reached a settlement. However, the process felt more transactional than I had hoped. There were periods where I had to follow up multiple times for updates, and responses to emails could take several days. While I never doubted his legal competence or his grasp of the nuanced litigation, managing client expectations around timelines and communication seemed to be an area for improvement. For straightforward legal expertise in a trusts dispute, he is capable, but be prepared to be proactive in staying informed.