Slate and Associates, Attorneys at Law

Experience and qualifications

• The firm reports more than 100 years of combined courtroom and trial experience among its attorneys.
• The attorneys frequently collaborate on case strategy, so clients benefit from the experience of the whole team.
• Attorney Dennis Slate is described as Double-Board Certified in Family Law and Child Welfare Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
• The website notes that H Texas Magazine has recognized the firm as one of the top family law firms in Houston.
• The firm highlights its past case results and client reviews on the website.

Practice focus

The firm's website emphasizes representation in:

• Divorce and related family law matters
• Child custody and visitation
• Child support and spousal support
• Appeals in family law cases
• Child adoption
• Same-sex divorce

Approach to client service

According to the website, Slate and Associates:

• Recognizes that family law matters are emotionally charged and legally complex.
• Seeks to resolve legal issues as efficiently as possible, when possible, without sacrificing results.
• Thoroughly prepares cases for trial so the firm is ready to litigate if negotiations are not successful.
• Aims to provide responsive, compassionate, and strategic representation, taking time to understand each client's goals and family situation.

• Drafting wills that direct how property is to be distributed after death.
• Creating trusts that can manage property and assets during life and after death, and that may help avoid or reduce certain tax obligations.
• Preparing related documents, including healthcare proxies and living wills, to help ensure that medical and end-of-life wishes are understood.

Key points from the firm's wills and trusts FAQ

• If you do not have a will or trust: your estate will generally pass through probate and intestate succession, which can be difficult and expensive, especially if heirs or descendants disagree about how assets should be divided.
• Will versus trust:
• A will usually must go through the probate process and generally only takes effect after death.
• A trust is more flexible, can often avoid or reduce certain tax obligations, and can be used to manage property while you are alive, at the time of death, and afterwards.
• Using wills and trusts together: the website explains that wills and trusts can be used together to form a solid estate plan.
• Healthcare proxy and living will:
• A healthcare proxy allows you to designate a specific person to direct your medical care or end-of-life decisions if you are unable to make those decisions yourself.
• In Texas, there is no specific statute that governs living wills, but a written document describing your wishes can still be used as evidence to guide the person you designate.

Estate planning consultations

• The website invites individuals to contact the firm to speak with a Houston estate planning attorney about wills and trusts.
• The estate planning page lists a consultation phone number for wills and trusts matters: (713) 352-1434.

Slate and Associates, Attorneys at Law is a Houston-based family law firm representing individuals and families in a wide range of family law matters.

Main practice areas described on the website

• Divorce – Representation in divorce cases, with attention to the emotional and practical challenges that arise when a marriage ends.
• Child custody and visitation – Guidance and advocacy as parents negotiate child custody and visitation arrangements.
• Appeals in family law cases – Review of trial court decisions and pursuit of appeals when legal or procedural errors may have affected the outcome.
• Child adoption – Attentive service and legal counsel for Texas parents navigating the adoption process.
• Spousal support (alimony) – Assistance with divorce matters that involve determining spousal support maintenance (alimony).
• Same-sex divorce – Divorce representation for same-sex spouses, including matters involving child custody.

Geographic focus

According to the website, the firm represents clients in Houston and surrounding areas, including:

• Houston
• River Oaks
• Montrose
• West University
• Rice Village
• Houston Heights
• Upper Kirby
• Midtown

The firm invites prospective clients who need help with divorce or other family law matters in these areas to contact the office for a consultation.

• Address: 1635 Dunlavy Street, Houston, TX 77006, United States
• Phone: (281) 476-9447
• Opening hours (as listed on the Houston office page):
• Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Friday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
• Saturday: Closed
• Sunday: Closed
• Location and parking details:
• The office is in a two-story white brick building two blocks south of West Gray on Dunlavy Street.
• Parking is located in front of the building.

Deer Park office

• Address: 112 East Forrest Lane, Deer Park, TX 77536, United States
• Phone: (281) 407-9254 (listed in the main office locations section of the website)
• Opening hours (as listed on the Deer Park office page):
• Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Friday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
• Saturday: Closed
• Sunday: Closed

Houston Heights office

• Address: 2310 Rutland Street, Houston, TX 77008, United States
• Phone: (281) 410-5780

Areas served

According to the website, the firm serves clients in:

• Houston
• River Oaks
• Montrose
• West University
• Rice Village
• Houston Heights
• Upper Kirby
• Midtown
• Harris County and the Greater Houston area

General contact information

• The firm's website provides contact forms where prospective clients can share their name, phone number, email address, and a brief description of how the firm can help.
• The main phone number appearing on the homepage office locations section is (281) 476-9447.

Ask anyway — the agent will say plainly that it is not published rather than guess.