About
Jimmy Carter
Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney, Advocate
Jimmy Carter is a Texas probate lawyer known for his strength in the courtroom and his commitment to clients. Backed by a proven track record in probate and trust litigation, Jimmy Carter is a will and estate attorney with the experience and knowledge necessary to handle the most difficult cases. Experienced, respected, and tested. Jimmy Carter is one of a select few lawyers to achieve Board Certification in Civil Trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Only 7 out of every 1,000 Texas attorneys held this civil trial law specialization. And even fewer of those 7 focus their practice entirely on probate litigation.
But handling legal disputes takes more than experience. It takes compassion and an advocate who understands both the law and your family dynamics. Jimmy Carter takes the time to build a relationship with each of his clients, ensuring you meet your goals.
In addition to championing the needs of his clients, Jimmy Carter fights for just causes in his community. Recognized for his dedication to helping minors combat bullying, Jimmy Carter is working to break legal barriers and put an end to cyberbullying for good. Jimmy Carter was also the 2015 Man of the Year for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society, having successfully raised almost $100,000 for cancer research during just a six-week period.
Representative Decisions
- In the Estate of Van L. Crapps, Deceased, No. 04-25-00148-CV, 2026 WL 1745780 (Tex. App.—San Antonio June 17, 2026, no pet. h.) and No. 04-23-00761-CV, 2023 WL 7006289 (Tex. App.—San Antonio Oct. 25, 2023, no pet. h.)
- Martinez vs. Hippies, Gypsies, & Hops, LLC, et al., No. 2025-03-35951-CV, 38th Judicial District Court, Uvalde County, Texas, April 28, 2026 (jury verdict for client)
- Moreno v. Tidwell, No. 04-24-00387-CV, 2026 WL 516451 (Tex. App.—San Antonio Feb. 25, 2026, no pet. h.)
- In re Estate of Miriam Frances Cornelison, Deceased, Cause No. 2024-PC2-01760, Probate Court No. 2, Bexar County, Texas. February 3, 2026 (jury verdict for client)
- In the Estate of Gordon Ray Walleck, Deceased, No. 04-25-00401-CV (Tex. App.—San Antonio) (settled during appeal following jury verdict for client)
- Estate of Burns, 619 S.W.3d 747 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2020, pet. denied)
- Acadian Diagnostic Labs., L.L.C. v. Quality Toxicology, L.L.C., 965 F.3d 404 (5th Cir. 2020)
- In re Estate of Mahaffey, Deceased, 2019 WL 7196618 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2019, no pet.)
- Cash v. King, 2017 WL 3701781 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2017, no pet.)
- In re: Estate of Sperber, 2017 WL 2124481 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2017, no pet.)
- Saenz v. Saenz, 2017 WL 2351101 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2017, no pet.)
- In re Estate of Bedell, 2016 WL 416374 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2016, pet. denied)
- Bank of America, N.A., as Trustee of the Bettye Baker Brown Trust, et al. v. Prize Energy Resources, L.P., et al., 2014 WL 4257865 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2014, pet. denied)
- Alpha Green Dev. Inc. v. Gamboa, 2013 WL 5431404 (Tex. App.—San Antonio Sept. 25, 2013, no pet.)
- Sadler v. Erfurth, 2013 WL 2121943 (Tex. App.—San Antonio May 15, 2013, no pet.)
- Ochoa vs. Ochoa, 2009-CI-20617, 57th Judicial District Court, Bexar County, Texas. January 2012 (jury verdict for client)
- Vela v. GRC Land Holdings, Ltd., 383 S.W.3d 248 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2012, no pet.)
- Rogers vs. Cargil Produce, LLC, et al., 08-10-26,655-CV, 38th Judicial District Court, Uvalde County, Texas. February 2010 (jury verdict for client)
- Retamco Operating, Inc. v. Republic Drilling Co., 278 S.W.3d 333 (Tex. 2009)
- In re: Estate of Oma Bell Perry, 2008 WL 182860 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2008, no pet.)
Bar Admissions
- The State of Texas, 1998
- United States Supreme Court, 2005
- United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, 2005
- United States District Court, Western/Southern/Northern Districts of Texas, 2004
Education
- Baylor University School of Law, J.D., 1998
- Texas Tech University, B.A., summa cum laude, 1995
Certifications and Accolades
- Board Certified in Civil Trial Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization (2018–present)
- Legal Innovators Award Finalist, The Texas Lawyer, 2024
- The American Lawyer / The National Law Journal Top Rated Litigator, 2021
- Peacemaker Award, San Antonio Bar Foundation, 2017
- Outstanding Lawyer Award, San Antonio Business Journal, 2016
- Texas Bar College (2016–present)
- FAA Private Pilot (2025–present)
- Martindale Hubbell AV Preeminent Rated
Professional Affiliations and Community Involvement
- San Antonio – American Board of Trial Advocates: President (2026); Vice Chair / President Elect (2025); Secretary (2024)
- American Board of Trial Advocates, Member (2022–present)
- TransPecos Banks / TransPecos Financial Corporation, Director (2015–present)
- David’s Legacy Foundation (Director, 2016–present) and DBM Project (Co-Founder / Chair)
- Man of the Year, Leukemia Lymphoma Society (2015)
- Leadership Committee, Leukemia Lymphoma Society (2016–2018) (2018, Chair)
- Alamo Heights School Foundation Director (2015–2017) and Executive Committee (2016–2017)
- Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow (2014–present)
- San Antonio Bar Association, District Courts Committee (2014–2017)
- Ecumenical Center for Religion and Health, Director (2012–2013)
- Youth Soccer and Alamo Heights Little League Softball Head Coach (2010–2015)
Articles / Presentations
- James W. Carter and Sarah Maldonado, Decoding Probate Litigation: Insights From a Century of Texas Will Contests, 18 Est. Plan. & Community Prop. L.J. 1 (2025)
- Analyzing the Past, Shaping the Future: A Data-Driven Approach to Probate Litigation, presentation and paper
- Corpus Christi Estate Planners Council, Corpus Christ, Texas, May 8, 2026
- Tarrant County Probate Bar Association, Fort Worth, Texas, February 6, 2026 (updated)
- South Plains Trust and Estates Council in Lubbock, Texas, September 18, 2025
- San Antonio Estate Planners Council at the Docket Call in Probate Court series, February 16, 2024
- Predictive Paradigms: Harnessing Historical Data For Optimal Probate Litigation Strategies, presentation and paper to East Texas Estate Planning Council in Tyler, Texas, December 3, 2025
- Shaping Probate Litigation – How Data Informs Strategy and Outcomes, presentation and paper
- Hidalgo County Bar Association Estate Planning and Probate Section, September 10, 2025
- Rio Grande Valley Estate Planners Council in McAllen, Texas September 9, 2025
- Testamentary Capacity article and Moderated Virtual Dementia Tour Panel Debrief, presentation to San Antonio Estate Planners Council at the Docket Call in Probate Court series, February 14, 2020
- Guardianship Litigation Update, presentation to San Antonio Estate Planners Council at the Docket Call in Probate Court series, February 16, 2018
- Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 202 Update, State Bar of Texas Advanced Evidence and Discovery Continuing Legal Education Series, Paper and Presentation 2017
- David Bartlett Molak’s Legacy: Don’t Bully Me!, San Antonio Lawyer Magazine, March–April 2017
- Strategies in Fiduciary Litigation, San Antonio Bar Association Lunch Series, October 20, 2016
- Use of Declaratory Judgments in Probate Court, presentation and paper to San Antonio Estate Planners Council at the Docket Call in Probate Court series, February 11, 2016
- Inside the Minds: Best Practices for Structuring Trusts and Estates, Ch. 6 (co-author with Ashley Ressmann Gray, Thomson Reuters, 2015 ed.)
- Hot Topics from Four Legal Experts: Panel discussion (December 3, 2014, San Antonio CPA Society continuing education class)
- Shale boom puts mineral rights under spotlight, San Antonio Express News, June 2, 2014, Business Section
- Texas Landowner Notes–Prescribed Land Burns, Bandera County Courier, May 1, 2014, Farm & Ranch Section
- Amid shale boom, law is evolving, San Antonio Express News, March 30, 2014, Eagle Ford & Energy Section
- Eagle Ford Land Notes, Frio-Nueces Current News (March 27, 2014, Oil & Gas Section)
- Disclosing Taxpayer Information: A Guide for the Wary Accountant, (November 2013, paper presented to various accounting firms and seminars)