Davidson Law Group comprises a team of committed attorneys and support specialists specializing in estate planning, elder law, and probate. With multiple offices across North and East Texas, we ensure our accessibility to those seeking to create and safeguard their family legacy.
At Davidson Law Group, we have a passion for people. Whether you are contacting us to prepare for the future well in advance, or are experiencing a crisis, you will be given the honor and respect that you deserve. We treat all of our clients and their situations with thoughtfulness and consideration. Brothers Matthew and James Davidson have made it their mission to create a culture of understanding and excellence at Davidson Law Group. When you walk through our doors, you can rest assured that you will have a compassionate and considerate team working to protect you and what you hold dear.
PRINCIPAL ATTORNEY
James Davidson was born in Austin, Texas and grew up on a working cattle ranch in the Texas Hill Country. He graduated Cum Laude from Texas State University in San Marcos with a Bachelor of Arts in History and a minor in Anthropology. He then attended Regent University School of Law in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where he received his Juris Doctorate.
In 2013, James moved back to Texas, and along with his brother, Matthew, established an estate planning, elder law, and probate practice in Fort Worth. He feels called to help others through difficult times, and focusing his practice in these areas allows him to live out that call in a unique way. When clients face life-changing situations, James feels called to help others through difficult times, and whether joyous or clouded with concern, James treasures the opportunity to be a counselor who can not only inform objectively, but lead wisely.
James has been recognized by Fort Worth Magazine and 360 West Magazine as a Top Attorney, and has been named to the Super Lawyers Rising Stars list. He has an AVVO rating of 10.0. He is also a member of the Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association, the Tarrant County Bar Association, the Group Legal Services Association of the American Bar Association, Wealth Counsel, ElderCounsel, and the National Association of Elder Law Attorneys.
James has a passion for the outdoors and serves on the Board of Directors of the Majesty Outdoors Foundation (501(c)3), which serves our communities by mentoring children raised in single-parent homes and exposing them to outdoor activities that can foster holistic health.
James is married to the love of his life, Mara, and together, they enjoy raising two beautiful girls, Lily and June.
PRINCIPAL ATTORNEY
Matthew Davidson was born in Austin, Texas. He spent his high school years on a family ranch in Dripping Springs, part of the beautiful Texas Hill Country. He then attended and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts in English and American Studies.
After working in the financial industry, Matthew attended Regent University School of Law in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where he earned his Juris Doctorate. Following law school, he moved back to his home state and began practicing in Fort Worth. Soon after, Matthew and his brother, James, established the Davidson Law Group in Fort Worth with a concentration on estate planning, elder law, and probate.
Matthew’s welcoming personality and genuine passion for helping others is what led him to these practice areas, for which he has become renowned. With the goal of helping hardworking men and women protect what they have earned throughout their lifetimes, he creates meaningful, life-long relationships with his clients, and is always there when they need him.
Matthew has been recognized by Fort Worth Magazine and 360 West Magazine as a Top Attorney in multiple years and has been the recipient of several awards, including Best Attorneys in America 2015, the Nation’s Top One Percent by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel, and Super Lawyers Rising Stars. Matthew has an AVVO rating of 10.0 and a 5-star AVVO Client Rating.
He is also a member of Wealth Counsel, ElderCounsel, and the National Association of Elder Law Attorneys, and currently serves on the Board of the Center for Transforming Lives Foundation.
Matthew enjoys time with his wife, Brianna, his children, Hayden, Clay, and Sylvia, and other family and friends. He is also an avid outdoorsman, sports fan, and music enthusiast.
ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY
Bryan Campbell was born at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, Louisiana and raised in Tyler, Texas, where he graduated from what was then known as Robert E. Lee High School. In May of 1998, he graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Political Science and a History minor.
As a young child, Bryan was hooked on The People’s Court and knew that he eventually wanted to become an attorney. So, after graduating from college, he immediately began law school at The University of Houston Law Center, graduating in May of 2001.
After graduating, Bryan practiced in Houston for several years, focusing primarily on commercial litigation. In 2005, after the birth of his first daughter, Bryan and his family decided to move back to Tyler, where he joined a local firm specializing in estate planning, probate, and guardianships of incapacitated minors and adults.
In 2013, Bryan shifted away from private practice and became a Trust Advisor for Regions Bank Private Wealth Management, where he was able to use his legal expertise to advise trust grantors, beneficiaries, and trustees on numerous legal and investment-related matters. Then, in 2019, he transitioned to Southside Bank Wealth Management & Trust, where he served as Executive Vice President, Senior Wealth Advisor, and Director of Wealth Management and trust.
In early 2022, Bryan decided to focus on his true passion – helping individuals and families preserve and pass down their legacy from one generation to the next – by reentering the practice of law and joining Davidson Law Group, specializing in estate planning, probate, and guardianship matters.
Community service is extremely important to Bryan, as its importance was instilled in him at a very young age by his grandmother. He has served, or currently serves, on the boards of numerous non-profit agencies, including The King’s Storehouse Food Bank, Junior Achievement, Susan G. Komen Tyler Affiliate, Tyler Soccer Association, and Christian Women’s Job Corps. He has also served on the Smith County Young Lawyers Board of Directors, as well as the Smith County Bar Foundation. Bryan is also a proud member of Leadership Tyler Class 31.
Bryan has two daughters he is extremely proud of. Addyson is graduating as Valedictorian from Grace Community and has been accepted to Texas A&M University to study honors chemical engineering. Gracyn also attends Grace Community High School and is an accomplished musician and artist, having completed several murals throughout the City of Tyler.
ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY
Megan Procter was born and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin. An innate understanding of professional services gleaned from her parents' businesses was coupled with her higher education; Megan graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Madison in May 2008 with a Bachelor of Business Administration, double majoring in Finance and Real Estate.
Soon after, she met her now-husband, Cory, and moved to Texas to pursue a law degree at Texas Wesleyan University School of Law. Cory’s professional football career with the Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins allowed Megan the opportunity to complete her last semester of classes abroad at Nova Southeastern University School of Law. After a significant injury, the couple moved back to Texas and were married in 2011. Megan passed the Texas Bar Exam that same year and later served as a clerk to a family court judge as well as a part-time position in a family law firm.
A couple of pivotal experiences in Megan’s personal life shaped her next few years. Her grandfather’s health was deteriorating, and he unfortunately and unjustly lost most of his life savings to a family member. Additionally, the passing of a close family member at a very young age emphasized the significance of time with children, so Megan decided to be a stay-at-home mom after welcoming the birth of their daughter. She subsequently earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and registered nurse licensure.
As many can say, the events of 2020 altered Megan’s professional trajectory. Her husband, having a financial advisory practice of his own, met and became friends with Matt and James Davidson. Hearing Megan’s story and learning of her training and sincere desire to help effectuate clients’ wishes and protect what they’ve worked their entire lives to build, the two principal attorneys found it an easy decision to bring Megan within the DLG fold to once again practice the type of law she felt she was truly meant to practice.
Megan, Cory, and their wonderful children are enjoying all that this season of life has to offer!
ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY
Annalise Lang was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. She graduated from Portland State University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Minor in Business Administration. Following college, she worked in the copyright department at a music publishing company and as a high school varsity volleyball and basketball coach.
From a young age, Annalise developed compassion and empathy for single parents and for children being raised in those households. Her own parents were heavily involved in providing for single-parent households, which exposed her to the challenges they faced. Later, Annalise participated in a mentoring program at a local church that focused on supporting single parents and children in difficult family situations. Coupled with her involvement as a youth sports coach, she developed an elemental understanding of the deep and long-lasting effects of a broken home, and a passion for helping children and families who were impacted by the breakdown of the family.
As a result, Annalise committed to gaining the education and skills necessary to protect families and abused children in a more practical and strategic manner. She pursued a law degree, attending Regent University School of Law in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and received her Juris Doctorate in 2012.
For ten years, Annalise worked as an attorney and shareholder at a firm in Oregon, developing it into a well-known and reputable firm in the Portland metropolitan area. Focusing her law practice on family law, she was able to utilize the court system to protect her clients' children, assets, and livelihood.
In 2022, Annalise and her family relocated to Texas. Joining Davidson Law Group gave her an opportunity to utilize her experience with families in a different capacity. Holding fast to her calling to help strengthen families, her efforts are centered upon protecting what clients have spent years to build, as well as protecting their children's futures.
Annalise was named to the Super Lawyers Rising Star list for 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022, and has a 5-Star AVVO Client Rating. She also serves on the Board of Directors of Gift of Adoption (Texas Chapter), which is an organization that connects at-risk children with willing and loving families, because every child deserves a sense of belonging.
Annalise has been married to her husband, John, for 15 years. There is never a dull moment in their home with her two young boys and Bo, the family's German Shepherd. She enjoys playing sports with her kids, golf, trying new restaurants, and touring vineyards.
ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY
Lori graduated from Mississippi State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. After living in Mississippi for over 20 years, she moved to Virginia for law school, where she earned her Juris Doctorate from Regent School of Law in 2011.
During her time in law school, Lori had the opportunity to clerk for an appellate judge in Austin, Texas. It was there that she fell in love with both the great state of Texas and her now-husband, Erik. Lori married Erik a year later and moved to Texas to attend St. Mary’s School of Law in San Antonio as a visiting student for her last semester of law school. That semester in Texas allowed her to take courses such as community property and oil and gas, which gave her knowledge of many Texas-specific laws applicable in her practice today.
Upon passing the Texas bar, Lori began her career with an oil and gas title firm and later transitioned to managing mineral funds for several large families and companies in Texas. After specializing in oil and gas law for over nine years, she and her family moved to Dallas, where she expanded her practice to include real estate and business law. A few years later, she reconnected with her law school colleagues Matt and James Davidson. Together, they decided to incorporate Lori’s oil and gas and business knowledge with the Davidsons’ estate planning expertise, which often go hand in hand in Texas estates.
Whether helping clients sort through complicated mineral rights issues, structuring businesses, or handling estate matters, Lori has always loved simplifying the process for her clients to understand what they own and how to own it effectively. The estate planning process doesn’t have to be complicated, and Lori desires to help her clients fully understand how they can best protect and steward the assets they have built or inherited.
Lori and Erik live in Richardson, Texas, and have three beautiful children. She serves on the executive board for her children's school PTA and spends most of her free time at their youth sporting events on the weekends. When there is a free moment, she enjoys playing tennis with friends and vacationing in sunny places with her family.
PERSONNEL DIRECTOR
ESTATE PLANNING PARALEGAL
ESTATE PLANNING PARALEGAL
ESTATE PLANNING LEGAL ASSISTANT
ESTATE PLANNING LEGAL ASSISTANT
PROBATE PARALEGAL
PROBATE PARALEGAL
SCHEDULING COORDINATOR
SCHEDULING COORDINATOR
Probate is a legal procedure by which a court recognizes a person's death and approves the initiation of the administration of that person's estate. The process will occur regardless of whether the person died with or without a Last Will and Testament. Avoiding Probate is in your family's best interest because it can become a financial burden, be time-consuming, and is a public record. Starting the Estate Planning process early can help you or your loved ones avoid dealing with Probate.
Joint Tenancy with Rights of Survivorship means that, in the event of a spouse's (asset co-owner's) death, the surviving spouse (asset co-owner) will receive ownership of the assets. This can help avoid the arduous Probate process, as well as save time and money. However, there are pitfalls with Joint Tenancy, such as exposing your assets to the liabilities of others, so it is crucial to discuss this option during the Estate Planning process with your attorney.
Although a will does not help avoid the probate process, it is a signed legal document that distributes assets according to the wishes of a decedent after their death. A will does not have any legal authority until the person passes away. Then, the Will is presented in Probate court and addressed according to the document. Even though the Probate process is still involved when someone passes away with a Will, it is still advised that every person who has minor children or any assets have at least a Will. Additionally, your property and family arrangements can be protected even further with Testamentary Trusts created within the Will.
A Living Will is a signed document that outlines your wishes regarding end-of-life decisions and medical life support in case you are incapable of expressing your wishes on your own. An Advanced Medical Directive or Living Will is usually executed alongside a Medical Power of Attorney so that, in case you have a terminal condition without reasonable hope of recovery, someone has the authority to carry out the wishes expressed in the Living Will.
Intestacy means that the legislature of your state will decide who will receive your assets and when they will receive them if you die without a Will or any other type of Estate Planning. All of this process is overseen by the Probate Court and can be expensive and time-consuming. Unfortunately, around 70% of Americans pass away without even creating a Will.
Using Beneficiary Designations is one way to determine who receives your assets after you die without necessarily having to go through the Probate Process. In Texas, some examples of Beneficiary Designation mechanisms include insurance, bank accounts, retirement accounts, and certain types of deeds.
A Durable Financial Power of Attorney and a Medical Power of Attorney allows you to appoint trusted people to make financial and healthcare decisions for you on your behalf if you become unable to do so. Without Powers of Attorney, the Probate Court will designate someone to be in charge of the decisions through a Guardianship under the supervision of the court. It is recommended that if you do not have Powers of Attorney, you get them as soon as possible. These documents can be drafted while creating your Estate Plan.
A Revocable Living Trust is an agreement between a Trust-Maker, a Trustee/Trust Manager, and Beneficiaries. This agreement is a legal entity that determines the ownership of a person's assets after they die. Typically, while the individual is alive, they play all three roles of the Living Trust. A good example would be that a husband and wife would make themselves all three of these roles to create the Trust, manage the assets within the Trust, and have complete control and enjoyment of the Trust while they are alive. When that individual becomes unable to make decisions, the responsibility is passed to the successor trustee or backup manager. The successor trustee then distributes the assets to the beneficiaries after the trust-maker dies. Living Trusts can also eliminate taxes on the Estate of the trust-maker as well as help avoid Probate Proceedings.
Davidson Law Group recommends that anybody, regardless of age, wealth, marital status, or life stage, who owns any assets in their own name, including a house, consider creating a Revocable Living Trust. This type of Trust Plan can help to eliminate taxes, avoid Probate, and consolidate all of your assets under one succinct plan.