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  • Bio

William F. Neal

Board Certified Attorney

Bill Neal’s main priority is – and always has been – to protect his clients at every turn. Whether that means negotiating a settlement to reach the best possible outcome or litigating a difficult battle in court, Bill’s there to provide his clients with unwavering support. The reason he practices law is simple: He loves to solve difficult problems and make his clients’ lives easier.

Even as a young child, Bill knew he wanted to be a lawyer. Today, he focuses on divorce cases involving large estates, family owned businesses and complicated custody arrangements, and he takes a special interest in protecting children from a convoluted legal process. He also handles contested probate and complicated estate litigation cases.

For Bill, the practice of family law is all worthwhile when he hears a client say, “I feel so much better now. I’m not so scared anymore.” To relieve someone’s panic and anxiety is what any true professional wants to accomplish, above all else, and that’s what motivates Bill to get his clients the best possible outcomes.

Bill knows that divorce can be a nightmare – and he strives to be a lifeline for his clients. Using the wisdom he’s acquired over the last five decades, he knows how to separate what will and won’t work in a family law case; he focuses on what’s right for his clients every step of the way. Bill and the other attorneys with North Texas Family Lawyers provide people with the tools they need to start a new life.

Although he grew up in Prairie Village, Kansas, Bill is a Texan at heart – and has been since he attended Southern Methodist University School of Law in Dallas. While earning his degree, Bill was selected for service on the Southwestern Law Journal and served as its Research Editor. He was also among the first to serve in the SMU Legal Clinic as a law student, providing free legal services to the local community. With an illustrious background – which includes being the quarterback for the University of Arizona football team, president of his senior class, and a member of Sophos, Chain Gang and Bobcats Men’s honoraries – Bill also served two terms as president of his chapter of the Sigma Chi men’s fraternity and was listed in the Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities before graduating with honors.

Bill has been board certified in family law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization for nearly 30 years, and he’s a member of the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, the Annette Stewart Inns of Court and the Denton County Collaborative Lawyers Association.

When he’s not pursuing continuing legal education, working on cases or fighting for what his clients deserve, Bill rejuvenates himself by spending time with his wife, two sons and grandchild – and you might even find him on the golf course trying to perfect his swing, which he compares to real life: perfection isn’t possible, but striving for the best is always worthwhile.

Education:

  • Southern Methodist University, Dedman School of Law, JD, 1973
    • Honors: Graduated in top 10 percent of class
    • Law Journal: Southwestern Law Journal, Research Editor, 1972 – 1973
  • University of Arizona, BA
    • President of Senior class
    • Member of Sophos, Chain Gang, and Bobcats Men’s honoraries
    • Listed in Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities
    • Two time President of his chapter of the Sigma Chi men’s fraternity
    • Graduated with honors

Bar Admissions

  • Texas

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court, Northern, Texas
  • U.S. District Court, Southern, Texas
  • U.S. District Court, Western, Texas

Honors and Awards

  • AV Preeminent, Martindale Hubbell
  • Best Lawyers, Family Law, 2019 - present
  • Texas Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, 2009 – present
  • Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Family Law, 1993

Associations

  • Dallas Bar Association, Member
  • Denton Bar Association, Member
  • Denton County Collaborative Lawyers Association, Member
  • State Bar of Texas, Family Law Section, Member
  • Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, Member

Presentations

  • Discovering And Valuing Concealed Property and Income (With Michael Gregory), UT Family On The Front Lines Conference, Galveston, Texas, 2002
  • “Health Issues in Family Law: health insurance, COBRA, life insurance”, Advanced Family Law Seminar, Co-Author and Lecturer, 2003

Memberships

  • U.S. District Court, Northern Texas
  • State Bar of Texas, Family Law Section
Awards
  • Best Lawyers for 2023
  • Martindale- Hubbell Client Reviewed
  • Best Lawyers 2022
  • Board Certified - William & Scott
  • Super Lawyers - William Neal
  • Super Lawyers - William. 10 Years
  • Rated by Super Lawyers 2021 - William
  • AV Preeminent - William 2022
  • Best of Denton - William, Scott, Marcus
  • Avvo Rating 2022
  • AV- Preeminent William 2023
  • Super Lawyers William 15 Years
  • Super Lawyers William 2023

Articles

Speak for Yourself – Except During a Divorce

December 10, 2019 Bill Neal

There is an interesting lesson to be drawn about interpersonal communications and the value of using an intermediary to improve communications during a divorce from a poetic play written more than 100 years ago. Cyrano de Bergerac was a 17th-century ...» Learn Moreabout Speak for Yourself – Except During a Divorce

The first thing to do when you start thinking of getting a divorce

November 19, 2019 Bill Neal

What I've learned in 46 years as a Family Lawyer: The first thing to do when you start thinking of getting a divorce --- GET A WILL. If you already have one, I'll bet it is what we call "Sweetheart Wills." You leave everything to your spouse, ...» Learn Moreabout The first thing to do when you start thinking of getting a divorce

Child Support is Going Up

August 9, 2019 Bill Neal

Texas child support is getting a raise Every six years, the State of Texas reviews the formulas used to calculate child support payments. This year, they are raising the “cap limit” to adjust for inflation. The new formula goes into effect in ...» Learn Moreabout Child Support is Going Up

Am I Entitled To My Ex-Spouse’s Social Security Benefits After They Die?

April 1, 2019 Bill Neal

I have been asked this question many times over the years.  The answer is – it depends. According to the Social Security Administration, if you are divorced, but your marriage lasted 10 years or longer, you can receive benefits on your ex-spouse's ...» Learn More about Am I Entitled To My Ex-Spouse’s Social Security Benefits After They Die?

Protecting Yourself with a Protective Order in Cases of Domestic Violence

July 17, 2018 Bill Neal

Sometimes divorce happens.  It could be because one spouse is unfaithful, the couple fights all the time about money or a myriad of other reasons. Unfortunately, in many of the saddest and ugliest cases I’ve seen, a relationship is brought to an end ...» Learn More

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