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Jana Rae McCreary

Estate planning Attorney at Houston, TX

5.0   6 reviews
  • State Years
    Florida - FL 9 years
    Texas - TX 21 years
  • Licensed for 9 years
    State FL
    Acquired 2014
    Status
    Member in Good Standing No misconduct found
  • Licensed for 21 years
    State TX
    Acquired 2002
    Status
    Eligible to Practice in Texas No misconduct found

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

About Jana

Learn Jana’s areas of practice.

5
Practice areas
  1. Estate planning
    35%
    Full service estate planning for all types of families and individuals. Estate plans include your Will, Durable Power of Attorney, Living Will, Designation of Health Care Surrogate, and more.

  2. Wills and living wills
    20%
    Wills include standard, testamentary trust, and mirror image wills for spouses. Spousal wills provide for potential benefit qualification with SNT provisions. Living wills (advance directives) are accompanied by Health Care Surrogate Designation.

  3. Elder law
    15%
    Medicaid planning in advance and for immediate needs including Qualified Income Trusts, Irrevocable Trusts, and spend-down guidance.

  4. Probate
    15%
    Probate services provided primarily for former and existing clients or referred clients or for some uncontested administrations. Acceptance of cases will be determined through a paid consultation.

  5. Trusts
    15%
    Services include Pet Trusts, Qualified Income Trusts, Revocable Living Trusts, Special Needs Trusts, Standalone Retirement Trusts, and Testamentary Trusts.

Jana R. McCreary has been  an attorney for over seventeen years, a career move she made after working for over a decade with adults and children with intellectual disabilities and mental illness.  

Graduating summa cum laude with her Juris Doctor in 2002, Jana spent three years as an attorney with the Court of Appeals for the Fifth District of Texas at Dallas while also earning her Masters of Laws from SMU Dedman School of Law.  After leaving the court, Jana transitioned to academia and taught law for eight years, in Texas, Tennessee, and then Florida.  

In early 2014, sparked with a passion for providing personalized estate planning services for clients, Jana became licensed to practice law in Florida in order to open McCreary Law Office there. In 2019, after limiting her practice to Florida clients for five years, Jana decided to return to her Texas roots to be closer to family. She expanded her practice and opened her Houston, Texas office. Jana now maintains a office for McCreary Law Office in both Houston, Texas and Jacksonville, Florida.

Bringing a personal and dedicated approach to estate planning, elder law, and special needs planning, McCreary Law Office seeks to build trusted relationships with clients to provide guidance and advice in all aspects of estate planning, special needs planning, and long term care planning, working together with clients to create individualized, focused plans that strive to provide peace of mind, protection of assets, and assurance for loved ones.

 

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Similar lawyers nearby

McCreary Law Office, PLLC
2060 North Loop W, Ste 104
Houston, TX, 77018
McCreary Law Office
2700 University Blvd W
Ste C-2
Jacksonville, FL, 32217
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Reviews

5.0 / 5.0
  6 customer reviews
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Posted by C. Chapin | September 16, 2022
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
I'm now confident my wishes and family are protected!
We put off estate planning for too long – for various reasons, including “we don’t have enough assets”, “it’s uncomfortable to talk about”, “our blended family is too complicated”. Working with McCreary Law Office helped us move forward with confidence. Jana McCreary is organized, thoughtful and attentive. She listened to our concerns and explained how a solid estate plan, including powers of attorneys, medical directives, and other components can protect our wishes, assets, and legacy. I know her thoroughness caught things we would have never even thought of and will protect our heirs when the time comes. It was a pleasure working with her and is a great feeling to know this is taken care of. I highly recommend McCreary Law Office.
Read less
Response from Jana McCreary September 17, 2022
Thank you so much for the recommendation! Y’all were such a pleasure to work with. And indeed — a well thought-out plan is something everyone needs. We have a passion for that at McCreary Law Office!
Posted by Mary Margaret | November 18, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Excellent service
I highly recommend McCreary Law Office. Jana McCreary’s professionalism, organization, and overall demeanor, made the process of making my end of life plans, including the distribution of my assets, a straightforward and empowering experience. Jana’s work is thorough and thoughtful. She answered all my questions, helped me navigate through different scenarios, and explained different outcomes under the law. Jana listens and then provides guidance, as any good legal counsel should. I am confident that whenever it is time for me to depart this earth, the process of distributing my estate will be clear, easy, and straight forward, all because of Jana and the excellent work of McCreary Law Office.
Read less
Posted by anonymous | February 17, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Wonderful
Jana was a great choice for our estate planning needs. She was very knowledgeable, was easily able to explain things in simple terms, and talked a lot with us to make sure she knew exactly what we wanted/didn't want when it came to our plans. She was very thorough and easy to work with. We would highly recommend her!
Response from Jana McCreary November 17, 2018
Thank you so much for your kind words. I have a great passion for helping clients through the estate planning process and making sure each plan meets each client's individual needs.
Posted by Benny | July 19, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Truly cares
Ms. McCreary set up a Revocable Living Trust to ensure my beloved pets would be cared for when the time comes for me to shuffle off this mortal coil. During the initial consult, she listened carefully to my concerns and indicated a clear understanding of what my goals for the trust were. Through a series of question/answer sessions and her own written questionnaires, she presented trust language that was almost exactly what I wanted (and needed). It was explained to me in "real people language" and questions I had were answered in the same manner (I never learned to speak "legal", so this was immensely helpful). At no time did she ever make assumptions as to what I wanted to accomplish... if it wasn't crystal clear, she contacted me to insure that my wishes were completely clear, so that they could be properly documented in the trust papers. This allowed us to take the language in the trust from "almost perfect" to "absolutely perfect" in a short period of time. While I obviously hope that the terms of the trust aren't going to come into play for some time, I sleep better knowing that if I get run over by a bus tomorrow, my beloved pets will be properly cared for afterwards.
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Response from Jana McCreary November 17, 2018
It was such a pleasure to work with you -- and meet some of those beloved pets! I'm so happy we worked together to design and develop your trust to meet your needs.
Posted by Barbara | March 8, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Professional, Knowledgeable, and Personable!
Ms. McCreary prepared my Estate Plan in Spring of 2015. During the entire process I had total confidence in her abilities and was grateful for her guidance. She made me feel very comfortable talking about something that is very personal as well as sometimes emotional. Throughout the whole process I felt well informed and she was wonderful at explaining anything that I had questions about. I highly recommend her!!
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Response from Jana McCreary November 17, 2018
Thank you so much for the kind words. I see part of my job indeed as making the process less stressful for clients. I'm so happy that came through for you.
Posted by Rob | January 13, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Personal Professionalism
Atty McCreary has a friendly and calming personality (rare among the trade), and has a way of making it easier to think about what needs to be assembled and planned for something most of us really don't want to think about (our own demise). She brings the various options - with pro's and con's - and listens to what her clients 'want' and helps them get it into the process in a binding format. She made what could have been an unnerving and unpleasant process less so.
Read less
Response from Jana McCreary November 17, 2018
What a pleasure to work with you and develop a plan for you. Thank you so much for your input and for sharing your positive experience!
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Cost

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Contact for Details

Resume

AVVO RATING 9.6 (Superb)

Work Experience

  • President/Attorney
  • McCreary Law Office
  • 2014 - Present

Education

  • Southern Methodist University, Dedman School of Law
  • Master of Laws
  • 2006
  • Texas A&M University School of Law
  • Doctor of Jurisprudence/Juris Doctor (J.D.)
  • 2002
  • Texas A&M University
  • BS - Bachelor of Science
  • 1989

Associations

  • Houston Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2020 - Present
  • Texas Bar College
  • Member
  • 2020 - Present
  • National Association of Elder Law Attorneys, Texas Chapter
  • Member
  • 2019 - Present
  • Elder Counsel
  • Member
  • 2017 - Present
  • National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
  • Member
  • 2017 - Present
  • Women Business Owners
  • Member
  • 2017 - Present
  • National Association of Elder Law Attorneys (Florida chapter)
  • Member
  • 2017 - Present
  • WealthCounsel
  • Member
  • 2014 - Present
  • Florida Bar
  • Member
  • 2014 - Present
  • State Bar of Texas
  • Member
  • 2002 - Present
  • Jacksonville Bar Association
  • Member
  • N/A
  • Women in Insurance and Financial Services
  • Board Member
  • 2016 - 2018
  • Women in Insurance and Financial Services
  • Member
  • 2014 - 2019
  • Estate Planning Council of Northeast Florida
  • Member
  • 2014 - 2019
View all associations

Languages Spoken

  • English

Publications

  • NAELA News Online
  • Remote Client Meetings: Are You Zooming Past Privacy Concerns in the Age of COVID-19?
  • 2020
  • Connecticut Law Review
  • "Mentally Defective” Language in the Gun Control Act
  • 2013
  • Chapman Law Review
  • Falling Between the Atkins and Heller Cracks: Intellectual Disabilities and Firearms
  • 2011
  • QLR, the Quinnipiac Law Review
  • Tell Me No Secrets: Sharing, Discipline, and the Clash of Ecclesiastical Abstention and Psychotherapeutic Confidentiality
  • 2011
  • Utah Law Review
  • Not Guilty . . . Until Recommitment: The Misuse of Evidence of the Underlying Crime in NGRI Recommitment Hearings
  • 2009
  • Valparaiso University Law Review
  • The Laptop-Free Zone
  • 2009
  • Southwestern University Law Review
  • Focusing Too Much on the Forest Might Hide the Evolving Trees: A Response to Professor Irons
  • 2008
  • Southwestern University Law Review
  • This Is the Trap the Courts Built: Dealing with the Entanglement of Religion and the Origin of Life in American Public Schools
  • 2008
View all publications

Speaking Engagements

  • Mary Kay Directors' Meeting
  • Estate Planning Keys
  • 2019
  • Conversations on Business Infrastructure
  • Conversations on Business Infrastructure: Estate Planning
  • 2019
  • The Changing World of Retirement Planning
  • Estate Planning
  • 2018
  • Estate Planning Essentials at Cecil Pines
  • Estate Planning Essentials
  • 2018
  • Advance Planning at Westminster Woods
  • Key Considerations for Women in Estate Planning
  • 2018
  • Advance Planning at Westminster Woods
  • Planning Ahead with Durable Powers of Attorney
  • 2018
  • WIFS Meeting
  • Standalone Retirement Trusts
  • 2017
  • Aging Gracefully
  • The Elder Law Side of Long Term Care
  • 2017
View all speaking engagements

Attorney endorsements

Received (22)
Given (22)
Endorse Jana
Elder law Attorney | Jun 17
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer!"
Unknown Attorney | Jun 17
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Estate planning Attorney | Jun 17
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Estate planning Attorney | Jun 17
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Estate planning Attorney | Jun 17
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Elder law Attorney | Oct 10
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Wills and living wills Attorney | Oct 10
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Probate Attorney | Oct 06
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Estate planning Attorney | Oct 01
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. Jana is an experienced and knowledgeable attorney."
Probate Attorney | Sep 30
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Unknown Attorney | Sep 26
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Wills and living wills Attorney | Aug 21
Relationship: Other
"I endorse this lawyer."
Estate planning Attorney | Jul 28
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Probate Attorney | Jul 22
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Elder law Attorney | Jul 18
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Estate planning Attorney | Jul 18
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I proudly endorse this lawyer."
Elder law Attorney | Jul 18
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Estate planning Attorney | Jul 18
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Estate planning Attorney | Jul 18
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. I find her to be a zealous advocate for her clients."
Estate planning Attorney | Jul 18
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Jana is friendly, professional, and truly cares about her clients. I endorse this Lawyer."
View more endorsements