Estate Planning, what is it?

Today we had the pleasure of interviewing one of our newest attorneys, Joe! He's our resident estate planning/will/trust expert, and we're thrilled to share what he had to say about his speciality line of work!

A bit about Joe, before we begin his interview: Joseph Craddock graduated from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law in 2018. Joseph won best speaker in the Jackson-Walker Moot Court Competition and competed in the National Mock Trial competition. A passionate speaker, much of his extracurricular time in school was spent on oral advocacy. Joseph was an avid participant in the SMU Civil/Consumer Clinic where he advised and represented multiple clients in matters ranging from landlord/tenant disputes to state agency hearings.

Before his law career, Joseph graduated from the University of Oklahoma earning a degree in both Finance and Energy Management. Joseph held a career as a Landman working in the oil and gas field for two years. After graduation from Dedman School of Law, he became a Project Manager and Team Leader in the oil and gas industry where he served to validate title to and oversee multi-million dollar trades of land and mineral rights between both individual owners and large independent oil and gas companies. Having gained extensive knowledge of wills, trusts, and estates in this line of work, he now utilizes these skills to help individuals plan and prepare for the future by assisting clients with estate planning.

"I enjoy practicing Wills, Trusts, and Estates because I feel it is one of the most important areas of law. It brings me satisfaction to assist others feel a sense of security in their future and the futures of their family. Many people have a sense of worry about how to preserve their lifetimes work and make sure that they do the best to care for the ones they love after they are no longer in a position to help.

Everyone works hard to provide for themselves, but more importantly to provide a bright future for their children Having the proper estate plan is the best way to accomplish this, and I am proud to assist the community around me in achieving this goal.

While it may seem a grim topic to think about the fate that awaits every one of us, having a proper legal plan in place to support their family does a great deal to bring peace to the subject. Seeing the relief on a Client's face when they know they have cemented their plan always makes my day better as well. "

Thanks so much to Joe for giving us a glimpse into what he loves to do!