1. Who are you, and what are you running for?
My name is Loyd Wright and I am running for Judge of Harris County Probate Court No. 1. I am a native Houstonian and life-long conservative Republican.
2. What kind of cases does this court hear?
This court hears probate and guardianship cases, which include admitting wills to probate and determining if the need for a guardian exists and who should be that guardian. Although most probate and guardianship matters are uncontested, the court also hears contests regarding wills, contests regarding the need for a guardian and who should serve as guardian, and suits brought by or against administrators, executors or guardians for estate or guardianship-related causes, including personal injury, wrongful death, or breach of fiduciary duty claims. The court also hears matters relating to trusts.
3. Why are you running for this particular bench?
I had often considered running for Judge over the years and, with the encouragement of other probate lawyers and elected officials, decided the time was right. I wanted to give the voters of Harris County a quality choice on the Republican side. With more than 25 years experience in probate, guardianship, and estate planning law, I can do a better job than the incumbent.
4. What are your qualifications for this job?
My probate and guardianship legal experience includes representation of administrators, executors, guardians, trustees and beneficiaries in complex probate proceedings. I have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of clients and estates from individuals and entities for fraud and breach of fiduciary duty. I have a BBA (accounting) and MBA from the University of Texas and a JD from the University of Houston Law School. I served two terms as a member of the District 4A Grievance Committee (which disciplines attorneys), including a year as Chairman. I am a member of the State Bar of Texas Real Estate, Probate and Trust Section, Taxation Section and Litigation Section, and the Houston Bar Association Probate, Trusts and Estate Section, Taxation Section and Litigation Section.
5. Why is this race important?
At some point probate courts impact all of our lives. During an individual’s or families’ most painful moments it is important to have someone with the knowledge and experience to make the probate and guardianship systems operate compassionately, smoothly and efficiently. It is important to elect someone who knows both the legal and administrative aspects of the probate court inside and out, who knows what’s right and wrong with the systems and has the will and desire to make those systems better for all those who appear before the court. I can assure the voters and taxpayers of Harris County that I will be a diligent, fair and impartial judge and extremely pro-active in making the probate and guardianship systems better.
6. Why should people vote for you in November?
Over the years, I have appeared in hundreds of probate and guardianship matters before ten different probate judges. I have been appointed by many of them (Republican and Democrat) as administrator, temporary administrator, guardian, temporary guardian, and attorney and guardian ad litem to handle both contested and uncontested matters. I know first-hand the impact that the probate and guardianship systems can have on individuals and families and will use my knowledge and experience to make those systems better. I intend to quickly incorporate changes already made by Judge Mike Wood in Probate Court No. 2 which include a database that allows the public to find out the status of pending cases online, the ability to have letters testamentary and letters of administration prepared in advance and delivered to the appointed personal representative before he or she leaves the courtroom, and the holding of uncontested probate hearings in justice of the peace courtrooms in other areas of Harris County for the convenience of the public. I will also immediately get rid of the impersonal automated phone system currently in Probate Court No. 1 and always have a staff person answer the phone. I will work hard to expedite and facilitate the ability of attorneys and the general public to view probate and guardianship documents online.