Killeen Attorneys for Soldiers, Veterans, and Bell County Families
Killeen sits beside Fort Hood, and legal trouble here often has a military twist: a PCS move, a deployment, a VA denial, or a wreck on the Central Texas Expressway. If you need Killeen attorneys who know those problems, Michalk, Beatty & Alcozer, L.P. has worked from 3106 S W S Young Drive, Building D, Suite 401, since 2000. We handle nine kinds of cases, and this page tells you which attorney takes which one. Pick the topic that matches your problem, or call 254-526-3024 and we'll point you to the right person. Our Central Texas legal services page covers the region around us.
Killeen Attorneys Who Know Where Your Case Gets Filed
Where a case lands depends on what kind it is. A traffic ticket from a Killeen officer goes to Killeen Municipal Court, 200 E Avenue D, Suite 1, which hears Class C misdemeanors. Most civil suits and estates belong to Bell County. The District Clerk and County Clerk both work from the Bell County Justice Center, 1201 Huey Road, Belton.
Small money disputes go to a justice court, which can hear claims up to $20,000. A statutory county court can hear cases up to $250,000, and larger ones go to district court. Texas lets you sue in the county where the events happened (Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 15.002), so a Killeen dispute usually stays in Bell County. Claims against the federal government are different, and we sort those out on the first call. Fort Hood is federal land, so an Army vehicle, a federal contractor, or a service injury can follow federal claim rules instead of Texas court rules.
Personal Injury After a Crash on the Expressway or the Loop
Killeen police crash counts for 2021 put the city's five busiest crash intersections all along US 190, which is also I-14 through town. When another driver's mistake hurts you, you can claim medical bills, lost pay, and pain. Most Texas injury suits must be filed within two years, and a claim against a city or county can need notice in six months. Our Killeen personal injury lawyer page covers the roads, the hospitals, and the Army-vehicle rules in detail.
Social Security Disability for Killeen Workers
If your body can't hold a job anymore, Social Security disability can replace part of your paycheck. Social Security treats monthly earnings above $1,690 in 2026 (or $2,830 for blind applicants) as substantial work, and that figure can end a claim before it starts. Attorney Manuel Alcozer holds board certification in Social Security Disability Advocacy and works in English and Spanish. He worked as a respiratory therapist in Central Texas hospitals before law school, so he reads a treatment chart the way a clinician does. Start with our Killeen Social Security disability lawyer page.
VA Appeals After a Denied or Low-Rated Claim
Many Killeen veterans get a denial letter for PTSD, a back injury, or burn pit exposure and assume that's the end. It isn't. You have one year from the date on the decision to ask for a Board of Veterans' Appeals review, and you can also file a supplemental claim with new evidence or ask for a higher-level review.
Attorneys Alex Bass and Manuel Alcozer are VA-accredited and handle appeals of denied VA decisions. The VA Central Texas system runs a Killeen clinic in the Midtown Mall and larger hospitals in Temple and Waco, so your records may be in more than one place. We gather them before the deadline. Read how a VA benefits appeal works.
Probate and Wills for Soldiers' Families and Lifelong Residents
Texas opens a probate case in the county where the person lived at death (Estates Code § 33.001). For Killeen families, that means Bell County and the clerk's office in Belton. A will generally has to be offered for probate within four years of death. If there's no will and the assets, not counting the homestead and exempt property, total $75,000 or less, heirs may use a small estate affidavit instead.
Soldiers and retirees often own a house here, a car, a TSP or 401(k), and a life insurance policy with a beneficiary form. Those forms control who gets paid, so we check them first. Attorney Jay Beatty handles every probate file. See our Killeen probate attorney page.
Real Estate Law When Orders Move You
Military families buy and sell houses on a short clock. A federal law, the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, lets a servicemember end a residential lease after PCS orders or a deployment of 90 days or more. You send written notice with a copy of the orders, and the lease ends 30 days after the next rent date. Landlords can't charge an early termination fee for it.
We also review contracts, check titles, and handle closings, boundary problems, and landlord disputes. If your landlord keeps your deposit after a move, or a buyer backs out of a sale on your way to a new duty station, bring us the lease or the contract and your orders. Jay Beatty belongs to the Texas Land Title Association and managed hospital and hotel construction before law school. Bring the paperwork to our real estate lawyers before you sign anything.
Civil Litigation When a Dispute Reaches Court
A contractor walks off a job. A business partner stops paying. A buyer claims your truck was misrepresented. When talks fail, you need someone who has stood in a Bell County courtroom. Attorney Glenn Michalk served as an assistant district attorney in Bell County and as the City of Killeen's city attorney, and he still works with our trial team. Our civil litigation attorneys tell you what a suit would cost and whether it's worth it.
Business and Commercial Law for Killeen Owners
Killeen businesses range from one-truck shops to firms that sell to the post. All of them need the right entity, written contracts, and clear employee agreements. Texas enforces a non-compete only when it supports a valid agreement and is reasonable in time, place, and scope (Business and Commerce Code § 15.50). Our commercial law attorneys draft them with that test in mind. We also review leases, loan papers, and buy-sell agreements, and we collect unpaid invoices. Attorney Alex Bass focuses on commercial transactions and contract litigation, so the person who drafts your agreement can also argue it if it breaks.
Consumer Law and the 36 Percent Military Rate Cap
Troops and their families are common targets for high-interest loans and car financing traps. Federal law caps the interest rate on most consumer credit for active-duty servicemembers and their dependents at 36 percent (10 U.S.C. § 987). If a lender went over it, you may have a claim.
Texas also protects you from deceptive sales. Under the Deceptive Trade Practices Act you must send written notice 60 days before suit, and you generally have two years to file. We also handle abusive debt collectors, repossessions, and warranty failures. See our consumer law attorneys page.
Construction Law and Lien Deadlines
Killeen is full of new homes, strip centers, and remodels, and every one runs on payment deadlines. On a home project, a contractor must file a lien affidavit by the 15th day of the third month after finishing the work. Commercial jobs get one more month, through the 15th day of the fourth month (Property Code § 53.052). Miss the date and the lien is gone.
Jay Beatty holds a building construction and engineering degree and worked as a project engineer and manager. Alex Bass ran the business side of multi-million dollar electrical construction projects before law school. Our construction law attorneys read the contract before anything else.
Meet the Killeen Attorneys Behind Our S W S Young Drive Office
Glenn W. Michalk earned his law degree at the University of Houston in 1970. He is Of Counsel on injury, real estate, probate, and business matters, and he brings his experience as a Bell County prosecutor and Killeen city attorney.
Jay R. Beatty graduated from the University of Texas School of Law in 1990. He is our probate and wills attorney, and he also takes business, consumer, and real estate matters.
Manuel Alcozer, licensed since 1992, is a Temple College and University of Mary Hardin-Baylor graduate and a Social Security disability specialist.
Robert "Alex" Bass finished law school at the University of Oklahoma in 2009 with magna cum laude honors. His work spans commercial contracts, construction, real estate, consumer law, and veterans benefits.
Eight Things Killeen Callers Ask Us First
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Is the first meeting really free?Yes. You don't pay to tell us what happened and hear what we think. Call 254-526-3024 to set it up.
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Where is your Killeen office?We're at 3106 S W S Young Drive, Building D, Suite 401, Killeen, TX 76542. If a visit doesn't fit your schedule, we can start by phone or video.
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Do you take cases from soldiers and military families?Yes. We handle injury claims, disability, VA appeals, wills, leases, and consumer problems for soldiers, spouses, and veterans. Some military matters, such as claims about your own service injuries, follow special federal rules, and we tell you early which ones apply.
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I'm not sure what kind of lawyer I need. Who do I call?Call us anyway. Describe the problem in plain words, and we'll route you to the attorney who handles it. If it belongs with another kind of lawyer, we say so.
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Where would my case be filed?Most civil cases from Killeen go to the Bell County courts in Belton. A ticket goes to Killeen Municipal Court, and a small dispute can start in a justice court. We confirm the right court before we file.
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Can I talk to someone in Spanish?Yes. Hablamos español, and Attorney Alcozer speaks it too. Ask for Spanish when you call.
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How long do I have to file an appeal or a lawsuit?It depends on the case. Injury suits generally have two years, a VA Board appeal has one year, and a claim against a government agency can need notice in six months. Call early so no deadline passes.
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Can you help with a parent's estate if there's no will?Yes. Texas law decides who inherits, and we prove who the heirs are. If a court case is needed, we open it in Bell County.
Talk With Our Team About Your Killeen Case
Bring your questions and whatever paperwork you have. Call 254-526-3024 and speak with one of our Killeen attorneys about a free consultation. We also serve Harker Heights, Copperas Cove, Nolanville, and the rest of Bell County. Hablamos español. Would you rather start online? Send us a note through our contact page and we'll call you back.
Why Choose Michalk, Beatty & Alcozer, L.P.? Our Commitment to You
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Unyielding Commitment to JusticeWe strive to ensure that all persons have access to a legal process that is fair, open, transparent, and holds those who infringe on your rights accountable.
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Relentless Pursuit of Fair CompensationWe advocate to secure the maximum compensation you deserve, recognizing the profound impact your lawsuit can have on your livelihood.
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Empathetic Guidance Through AdversityWe stand by your side with unwavering support and understanding, providing guidance and reassurance during what may be one of the most challenging times in your life.
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Resolute Advocacy for Your RightsWith determination and expertise, we navigate the complexities of the legal system on your behalf, steadfastly protecting your rights and interests at every turn.
Get Started on Your Defense Journey Contact Us Today
A member of our team will be in touch shortly to confirm your contact details or address questions you may have.
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3106 S W S Young Drive
Building D Suite 401
Killeen, TX 76542 Map & Directions