Ross & Shoalmire, PLLC

Ross & Shoalmire, PLLC We specialize in Elder Law: Estate Planning, Wills, Trusts, Special Needs Trusts, Power of Attorney, Probate, Veteran Benefits

🌟 Meet the Team: Kimberly Murphy! 🌟We’re excited to introduce you to Kimberly Murphy! If you have called to make an appo...
08/28/2026

🌟 Meet the Team: Kimberly Murphy! 🌟

We’re excited to introduce you to Kimberly Murphy! If you have called to make an appointment or simply for guidance, chances are you've spoken to Kimberly!

We asked Kimberly a few questions so you could get to know the person behind the Ross & Shoalmire team a little better. ❤️

One of the things she enjoys most about working at Ross & Shoalmire is the people. She says, “It is a joy to come to work every day. I work for some amazing people, and I also love speaking with the clients and getting to know them.”

And here’s a fun fact you might not expect… Kimberly is a girly girl who LOVES sports! 💅🏈⚾🏀 Talk about the best of both worlds!

If Kimberly could have dinner with anyone, her answer is especially meaningful: her mom. Her mom passed away seven years ago, and one of their favorite things to do together was go out for dinner, enjoy some good food, laugh, and talk. ❤️

Speaking of good food, Kimberly’s favorite local restaurant is TaMolly’s, and her order is pretty simple: tacos and guacamole! 🌮🥑 She says she could eat it every day!

And the advice Kimberly thinks everyone should hear?

✨ “Always show up as your Best Self!” ✨

We couldn’t agree more!

We’re so glad Kimberly is part of the Ross & Shoalmire family. Help us say hello to Kimberly in the comments! 👋💙

Meet the Team: Kim Barton! Today, we’re introducing you to Kim Barton, and we think you’re going to enjoy getting to kno...
08/20/2026

Meet the Team: Kim Barton!

Today, we’re introducing you to Kim Barton, and we think you’re going to enjoy getting to know her a little better!

When Kim talks about what she loves most about working at Ross & Shoalmire, it’s clear that helping people find peace of mind is at the heart of what she does. ❤️

“To watch a client come into our office in chaos, trying to figure out what to do next… and then walk out of our office with confidence, reassurance, and peace of mind… is a blessing!”

And Kim has a pretty fascinating hometown story! Her family lived on Boggy Creek in Fouke, Arkansas, while she was growing up—and parts of The Legend of Boggy Creek were actually filmed on their property! 👀🎬

If Kim could sit down to dinner with anyone, living or historical, her answer might be the ultimate conversation starter: God. Her reason? “I just have so many questions that aren't humanly possible to explain!” 🙏

For dinner here on earth, you can find her at Texas Roadhouse, where her go-to order is a New York Strip. 🥩

And Kim’s advice is wise and hilarious!

“Ginger Rogers did everything that Fred Astaire did. She just did it backwards and in high heels.” – Ann Richards

And perhaps the most memorable piece of advice of all:

“Don’t make love by the garden gate, love is blind, but the neighbors ain’t.” 😂

We’re so glad Kim is part of the Ross & Shoalmire team! Say hello to Kim in the comments! 👋

🌟 **Meet the team: Donna Butler!** 🌟If you’ve ever talked with Donna, you probably know that she genuinely loves helping...
08/18/2026

🌟 **Meet the team: Donna Butler!** 🌟

If you’ve ever talked with Donna, you probably know that she genuinely loves helping people. She especially loves hearing from a client that our team made a difference in their life. ❤️

Donna says one of her favorite parts of working at Ross & Shoalmire is our clients. She has a special soft spot for our elderly clients and says, “They are so very sweet.” 🥰

But there’s a LOT more to Donna than her work! Here are a few things you might not know about her:

**She is a HUGE New Kids on the Block fan!**
Since they started touring again in 2009, Donna has only missed ONE tour! She’s seen them in Dallas, Shreveport (which was her first show), and Las Vegas (her most recent). And if her health allows, she says she plans to never miss another tour! 🎶

**Her favorite local restaurant? Casa Carlos!**
Her go-to order is the Big Ole Burrito, usually carnitas. And when she says BIG, she means BIG! It’s enough for leftovers for days! 😂 She loves that it’s a family-owned and operated business, too.

**Her dream dinner guest? Donnie Wahlberg.**
Donna says he has always been her absolute favorite celebrity, and that every time she sees him, she likes him even more. She especially admires how gracious he is and how much he loves his fans (lovingly known as Blockheads!).

And Donna has some advice for all of us:

**Get your Powers of Attorney in place!**

And outside of the legal stuff? Be your own unique person, don’t let anyone dictate who you should be, and remember that **kindness goes a long way.** ❤️

We’re so glad Donna is part of the Ross & Shoalmire team!

Now we want to know… Are you a Blockhead too? 😄🎤 And if so, what’s your favorite NKOTB song?

08/18/2026

In Texas, if you die without a will, your stepchildren inherit nothing.

Not a reduced share. Nothing.

I bring it up not to alarm anybody but because it catches good families completely off guard. You raised that child. They call you Dad. You were at every game and every graduation. But intestacy law — the rules that apply when there's no will — follows legal relationships, not the ones that actually did the raising.

There are two clean ways to fix it: name them in your will, or legally adopt. Both work. Doing nothing does not.

If you have a blended family and you've been meaning to get your documents sorted, make it this month.

Read more: https://www.rossandshoalmire.com/blog/texas-estate-planning-when-you-want-to-include-stepchildren.cfm

07/04/2026

🇺🇸 Happy 250th Birthday, America! 🇺🇸

Today we celebrate 250 years of courage, resilience, and the enduring spirit that has shaped our nation. As we reflect on our country's history, we're especially grateful for the men and women who have worn the uniform to protect the freedoms we enjoy every day.

At Ross & Shoalmire, we're proud to have team members whose commitment to service didn't end when they took off the uniform.

Marine veteran John K. Ross IV, our Senior Partner, served as an infantry squad leader with the First Battalion, Seventh Marines before beginning his legal career helping families protect what matters most. Attorney Brad Crayne served nearly 25 years in our nation's military, first as a United States Marine Corps aircraft electrician and later as a Judge Advocate in the United States Air Force, where he prosecuted and defended military cases while providing legal assistance to service members and their families. Their dedication to serving others continues today through their work helping clients plan for the future and protect their legacies.

On this Independence Day, we honor all who have served and sacrificed for our country. Thank you to our veterans, active-duty service members, military families, and everyone who has answered the call to serve.

From all of us at Ross & Shoalmire, we wish you and your family a safe, joyful, and meaningful Fourth of July as we celebrate America's 250th anniversary.

❤️🤍💙 Happy Independence Day! 💙🤍❤️

Another round of Ross & Shoalmire Summer True or False Trivia ☀️Think you know your summer facts, music history, and a l...
06/22/2026

Another round of Ross & Shoalmire Summer True or False Trivia ☀️

Think you know your summer facts, music history, and a little Ross and Shoalmire facts?

Drop your answers in the comments below!👇

👉To mix it up today, tag someone you think would know this answer!

Just for fun—no prizes, just bragging rights! 😄

Edit:

The answer was FALSE! You guys are so smart!

Many parents don’t realize that once a child turns 18, they no longer automatically have the legal authority to make medical or financial decisions, even if their child has special needs. Another surprise? Guardianship isn’t always the only or best option. Depending on the situation, less restrictive alternatives may provide the right level of support while preserving independence.

Learn more about guardianship and special needs planning at rossandshoalmire.com or call our offices at 800-780-6993!

🎉 It’s Day 3 of Ross & Shoalmire True or False Trivia!We’re back with another round of fun, random facts, brain teasers,...
06/19/2026

🎉 It’s Day 3 of Ross & Shoalmire True or False Trivia!

We’re back with another round of fun, random facts, brain teasers, and a few elder law nuggets you might not know all through your true or false guesses. No scores, no pressure—just a chance to learn something new and have a little fun along the way!

Whether you’re answering every question or just picking up interesting facts, we’re glad you’re here. Let’s see what today’s trivia has in store! 🧠✨

06/16/2026

June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
At Ross & Shoalmire, we believe every senior deserves to age with dignity, respect, and security. Unfortunately, elder abuse—including financial exploitation, neglect, emotional abuse, and physical mistreatment—remains a serious issue affecting millions of seniors each year.
As elder law attorneys, we see firsthand the importance of protecting vulnerable adults and helping families safeguard their loved ones from abuse and exploitation. Raising awareness is one of the most effective ways to prevent harm and ensure seniors receive the care, protection, and respect they deserve.
Today, we encourage families, caregivers, and community members to learn the warning signs of elder abuse and speak up when something doesn't seem right. Together, we can help protect the rights, assets, and well-being of older adults in our communities.
Join us in supporting World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and advocating for a safer future for our seniors.

We're back with another True or False question!Think you know the answer? Take your best guess and drop TRUE or FALSE in...
06/15/2026

We're back with another True or False question!

Think you know the answer? Take your best guess and drop TRUE or FALSE in the comments below. 👇

Want a hint? Visit our website and explore our FAQs and educational resources on estate planning, elder law, Medicaid, probate, and more:

🌐 rossandshoalmire.com

We'll reveal the answer later tonight and explain why it's true—or false!

No prizes, just a chance to learn something new and test your knowledge. 😄

ANSWER: FALSE!

Many people assume that turning 65 automatically qualifies them for Medicaid, but that's not true.

While most people become eligible for Medicare at age 65, Medicaid has additional requirements. To qualify for Medicaid, you must meet certain income and asset limits, and eligibility is based on your financial situation—not just your age.

Bottom line: Being 65 or older may make you eligible to apply for Medicaid, but it does not automatically qualify you for benefits.

Learn more about Medicaid planning and eligibility at:

https://www.rossandshoalmire.com/library/texas-medicaid-for-the-elderly-and-people-with-disabilities.cfm?utm_source=chatgpt.com

04/16/2026

Scammers aren’t just after money, they’re targeting trust, independence, and dignity.

Every day, elderly individuals are being manipulated by people who know exactly how to sound convincing. A friendly voice. A sense of urgency. A story that feels real. And in a moment, years of hard work and savings can be put at risk.

These aren’t just “mistakes” or “bad luck.” This is exploitation.

If you have a parent, grandparent, neighbor, or friend who may be vulnerable, now is the time to have the conversation. Talk openly about common scams. Encourage them to pause before giving out information. Remind them that it’s okay to hang up, ignore, or double-check (even if it feels uncomfortable).

Because protecting our elderly isn’t just about finances, it’s about respect, care, and standing up for those who once stood up for us.

Let’s look out for them. Always.



Address

1820 Galleria Oaks Drive
Texarkana, TX
75503

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+19032235653

Website

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