Melinda Watts Smith

Background

Melinda Watts Smith has extensive experience in the preparation of complex wills, trusts and other estate planning documents as well as in probate and guardianship administration proceedings. Her practice includes asset protection through formation of limited partnerships, limited liability companies and trust documents. She also has a great deal of experience in both commercial and residential real estate transactions, including negotiating contracts and continuing through document preparation for closing. Melinda also advises many business clients in selecting the entity best suited for their business and is involved in the formation of the business entity.

Awards & Recognitions

Named a Top Attorney in Probate, Estates & Trust by Fort Worth, Texas Magazine for 2010 – present.

Recognized as a Top Attorney by 360 West Magazine 2018 to present

Named one of Fort Worth Business Press “Elite 100” Top Attorneys in Tarrant County in 2003, 2004 & 2005.

Areas of Practice

Asset Protection
Commercial & Residential Real Estate
Corporate & Business Law
Estate Planning
Probate
Trusts

Associations & Memberships

Cassata High School Board of Directors (2010)
Tarrant County Probate Bar Association
City of Bedford: Council Member (1994-1998)
STARS Theater Company, Board of Directors (1999-Present)
The College of the State Bar of Texas
Tarrant County Bar Association

 

 

 

Testimonials

"Melinda Smith has been our go to person for our legal needs and has directed us to her many other colleagues in their firm to help us get what we needed as a small business. In the beginning, we did not have the capital to spend a lot on legal fees, but Whitaker Chalk has worked with us to satisfy our needs. We would not be here today if it was not for Melinda and Whitaker Chalk to help us grow to a multimillion dollar business. They have handled real estate, wills, estate planning, collections, corporate structure and a multitude of other things. They have been very fair with us in handling all of our legal issues."

Floyd McNealy CEO FBM Trading Co.,LLC.

Education

  • JD Texas Tech University (1983)
  • BA University of Texas in Arlington (1981)

Bar Admissions

  • Texas Bar (1984)
  • US District Court for the Northern District of Texas
11/21/24

FW Magazine names 31 to the Top Attorney List for 2024

Whitaker Chalk Swindle & Schwartz PLLC announces 31 attorneys have been selected as "2024 Top Attorneys in Tarrant County" by...
7/11/17

Whitaker Chalk proudly announces 29 of 36 attorneys selected as “2017 Top Attorneys”

Whitaker Chalk Swindle & Schwartz PLLC proudly announces 29 of our 36 attorneys have been selected as "2017 Top Attorneys in Tarrant...