Practice
Christopher D. Jones is a Member of Sprouse Shrader Smith PLLC whose practice is split between wealth planning and transactional business matters, with an emphasis on trusts & estates, tax issues, and commercial real estate. A substantial portion of his practice is spent creating estate plans for clients. This includes the preparation of wills, trusts, powers of attorneys, and complex estate planning tools such as charitable trusts, grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATs), intentionally defective grantor trusts; (IDGITs), irrevocable family trusts, irrevocable life insurance trusts (ILITs), and family limited partnerships (FLPs). Additionally, Chris assists clients in estate administrations including probating wills, post-death trust administrations, heirship determinations, and the preparation and filing of estate tax returns.
Chris represents numerous business owners in planning and creating new business entities. He handles all types of corporate transactions, including purchase agreements, buy/sell agreements, mergers, and conversions. Chris has also represented dozens of non-profit corporations in the their formation and applications for 501(c)(3) status.
Commercial real estate often overlaps the wealth planning and business issues faced by many clients. In representing developers, business clients, and wealthy individuals, Chris regularly advises clients regarding real estate ownership structures, commercial leases, 1031 exchanges, and other various real estate issues.
Chris and his wife are Amarillo natives, who enjoy spending time with their son, Wit, going to OSU football games and traveling.
Chris is also President of a local 1031 exchange company: Lonestar 1031.
Practice Areas
Certifications / Specializations
Presentations/Publications
- “Series LLCs: A business structure that provides new options to real estate investors and commercial clients,” Texas Realtor Magazine (April 2017)
- “Funding Trusts,” Texas Bar CLE program (February 2019)
Admissions
- Texas State Courts, 2011
Education
- Southern Methodist University, J.D., 2011
- Oklahoma State University, B.S. in Accounting, 2008
Memberships
Professional Memberships and Associations
- State Bar of Texas
- Amarillo Young Lawyer’s Association
- Amarillo Bar Association
- Amarillo Area Estate Planning Counsel
- Real Estate, Probate & Trust Law Section of the State Bar of Texas
- Texas Bar College
- Real Estate, Probate and Trust Law Leadership Program, Class 2018-2019
Community Involvement
- Board Member, Teddy Bear Cares (2016-Present)
- Board Member, Amarillo Area Estate Planning Counsel (2016-Present)
- Committee Member, Family Care Foundation (2011-Present)
- iLead AISD (2015)
- Leadership Amarillo, Class of (2014-2015)
- Board Member, High Plains Drifters Soccer Club (2011-2014)
- Maverick Boys & Girls Club of Amarillo, Board Member (2017-2018)
