About

Sarah Maldonado

Civil Trial Attorney, Advocate
Sarah Maldonado

Sarah Maldonado, a Texas litigator with fifteen years of experience, focuses on probate and trust matters. Her impressive track record includes successfully litigating hundreds of cases statewide, where her deep understanding of estate litigation ensures her clients’ interests are fiercely and effectively represented. Beyond her exceptional trial work, Sarah leads JW Carter Law’s appellate practice, providing comprehensive guidance to clients throughout their legal journey.

As a graduate of St. Mary’s University School of Law (J.D., 2010) and The University of Texas at Austin (2007), Sarah demonstrates a strong commitment to advancing legal knowledge. She and firm partner, Jimmy Carter, dedicated three years to a comprehensive research project, analyzing Texas probate appellate decisions dating back to the 1800s. Sarah actively leverages this research in her practice to improve probate litigation for the legal community and secure optimal outcomes for her clients. In 2025, the San Antonio Business Journal recognized Sarah’s outstanding achievements with a “40 Under 40” Award, highlighting her skills as an innovator and litigator, as well as her significant industry and community involvement.

Outside the courtroom, Sarah serves as a Community Educator with the Alzheimer’s Association’s San Antonio and South Texas Chapter, offering support and resources to families affected by dementia. In her free time, she cherishes spending time with her husband, Ricky, and their two daughters.

Representative Cases

    • 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)
    • In re Crapps, Deceased, 2003 WL 7006289 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2023, no pet.)
    • In re Estate of Burns, Deceased, 619 S.W.3d 747 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2020, pet. denied)
    • In re Estate of Mahaffey, Deceased, 2019 WL 7196618 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2019, no pet.)
    • Salinas v. Splash Transport, District Court of Texas, Bexar County. January 21, 2016

     

     

    Education

    • St. Mary’s University School of Law, J.D., 2010
    • The University of Texas at Austin, 2007

    Certifications and Accolades

    • 40 Under 40 Award – San Antonio Business Journal (2025)
    • Texas Legal Awards – Finalist for the Legal Innovators Award (2024)
    • Top Lawyer in Trust and Estate Litigation – S.A. Scene Magazine (2023–present)
    • Top Lawyer in Insurance Defense – S.A. Scene Magazine (2017)
    • Order of the Barristers (2010)
    • Outstanding Moot Court Award – St. Mary’s University (2010)

    Professional Affiliations and Community Involvement

    • Texas Bar College (2024–present)
    • Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow (2023–present)
    • San Antonio Estate Planner’s Council, Member (2023–present)
    • San Antonio Bar Association (2023–present)
    • Alzheimer’s Association – San Antonio and South Texas Chapter (2023–present)
    • Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity (2010–present)

    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 in McAllen, Texas, September 10, 2025
      • Rio Grande Valley Estate Planners Council in McAllen, Texas September 9, 2025

    A will is our last act to provide a meaningful echo. Protect it.

    I can’t thank you enough for the time and effort you spent out of your own good will to help me through that entire deal.

    J.A

    Former Client

    You went way above and beyond for us.

    R.P

    Former Client

    We humbly thank you for what you have done. Your willingness to counsel us throughout the few years of court speaks for itself. Thank you, we will always be eternally grateful for having such a love for what moves you in life.

    T.O

    Former Client