Question 1

What does Benckenstein & Oxford handle?

Accepted Answer

Estate planning and probate, trusts, guardianship, and incapacity planning for families. Pipeline, carbon sequestration, and green-energy easement negotiations for landowners. Commercial transactions, business entity formation, governmental entity counsel, civil litigation, and corporate defense for businesses and institutions.

Question 2

How long has the firm been in Beaumont?

Accepted Answer

Since 1917, 108 years. We are the oldest law firm in the city.

Question 3

How do I start a consultation?

Accepted Answer

Call 409-833-9182, email benoxford@benoxford.com, or use the contact form on this site. Initial consultations are free.

Question 4

How does the probate process work?

Accepted Answer

We start with a full estate assessment, walk the executor through their duties, file the necessary paperwork with the probate court, and handle creditor notice, asset distribution, and final accountings. Most independent administrations close within six to twelve months.

Question 5

Can you draft a will or set up a trust for me?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We draft wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, special-needs trusts, and the related powers of attorney and medical directives. Frances Blair Bethea has been board-certified in this field since 1989.

Question 6

What does guardianship involve?

Accepted Answer

A court appoints a guardian to make decisions for a minor or for an adult who can no longer make their own. We handle the petition, the hearings, and the ongoing court reporting. When guardianship is more than the situation calls for, we recommend less restrictive alternatives.

Question 7

Do you have a board-certified estate planning attorney?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Frances Blair Bethea has been board-certified in Estate Planning and Probate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1989. Fewer than 1% of Texas attorneys hold this certification.

Question 8

What does a pipeline lawyer in Beaumont actually do?

Accepted Answer

Represents landowners, not pipeline operators, when a company wants an easement across their property. That includes evaluating the offer, negotiating the easement terms, handling condemnation if it goes there, and dealing with construction or restoration disputes after the fact.

Question 9

Why would a landowner need their own attorney for a pipeline easement?

Accepted Answer

The form contract a pipeline company hands you was written by their lawyers, for them. Without your own attorney, you rarely know which terms are negotiable, and they almost all are.

Question 10

Do you handle carbon sequestration and green-energy projects?

Accepted Answer

Yes, for landowners. We negotiate pore-space and surface easements for CCS projects, and ground leases and easements for solar, wind, and hydrogen developments.

Question 11

How do you bill for pipeline, carbon, and green-energy work?

Accepted Answer

Hourly. Fees are due after our clients are paid. We do not take this work on contingency.

Question 12

Can you help with business formation or commercial contracts?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Entity formation, operating and shareholder agreements, commercial leases, vendor agreements, asset and stock purchases, the contracts a closely held business runs on.

Question 13

Do you represent governmental entities?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We serve as general counsel to several emergency service, water, drainage, and hospital districts in Southeast Texas.

Question 14

Do you offer free consultations?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We will listen first, tell you whether we are the right fit for your matter, and never push you into work you do not need.

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