Gatesville Attorneys for Coryell County Families, Ranchers, and Business Owners

Gatesville is the Coryell County seat, set on the Leon River where US 84 meets SH 36. If you live, work, or own land here, you need Gatesville attorneys who know the courthouse on East Main Street and the roads that lead to it. Michalk, Beatty & Alcozer, L.P. works from Killeen and represents Coryell County clients in nine practice areas. This page shows what each one means for people in Gatesville, Copperas Cove, Oglesby, Jonesboro, and the ranch country between them. Find the topic that fits your problem, or call 254-526-3024 and we'll point you to the right attorney. Hablamos español. For the wider region, see our Central Texas legal services page.

Gatesville Attorneys Who Know the Coryell County Courthouse

Coryell County runs its courts from 620 E. Main Street in Gatesville. The courthouse dates to 1897 and still does the job it was built for. The county has two district courts, the 52nd and the 440th, and one County Court at Law. That smaller court can hear civil cases worth up to $250,000, not counting interest, penalties, and attorney's fees (Government Code § 25.0003).

Texas lets you file suit where the events happened (Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 15.002). A dispute that started in Gatesville usually belongs in this courthouse. We tell you that on the first call, before you spend a dollar. Cases against the federal government, such as a claim over an Army vehicle, follow different rules and can end up elsewhere. We sort that out early too.

Personal Injury After a Wreck on US 84, SH 36, or a Farm Road

Pickup trucks, cattle trailers, and commuters all share these roads. When another driver causes a crash, you can claim medical bills, lost pay, and pain. Texas gives you two years to file. A claim against a city, county, or state agency can carry a notice deadline of only six months, so call early.

Our team also handles cases where loose livestock or farm equipment played a part. Texas law bars an owner from knowingly letting cattle, horses, and similar animals roam unattended on a highway right-of-way (Agriculture Code § 143.102). If a stray cow caused your crash, someone owns that cow, and someone may owe you. Read our Gatesville personal injury lawyer page for the full local guide.

Probate and Wills for Ranch Land and Family Homes

Many estates here hold a few acres, an old house, and no will. A Texas probate case opens in the county where the person lived at death (Estates Code § 33.001), which for Gatesville families means Coryell County.

Smaller estates may skip a full case. Heirs of someone who died without a will can sign a small estate affidavit when the assets, excluding the homestead and exempt property, total $75,000 or less. A will can be filed as a muniment of title within four years of death. Texas also protects relatives who inherit land together, through its Uniform Partition of Heirs' Property Act. Bring the paperwork you have, even if it's a shoebox of deeds and bank statements. Attorney Jay Beatty handles every probate file, and our Gatesville probate attorney page explains each option.

Social Security Disability for Ranch, Trucking, and Shift Workers

Hard physical jobs wear out backs, knees, and shoulders. When your body can't do the work any longer, Social Security disability may replace part of your income. In 2026, earning more than $1,690 a month ($2,830 if you're blind) usually counts as substantial work and can end a claim. The federal SSI payment is $994 a month for one person and $1,491 for a couple.

Attorney Manuel Alcozer is board-certified in Social Security Disability Advocacy and speaks Spanish. He handles applications, denials, and hearings. See our Gatesville Social Security disability lawyer page for details.