Grew up in the suburbs of Nashville, Tennessee. He then moved to Texas where he received his Bachelor's degree in business administration and Magna Cum Laude honors out of Abilene Christian University. From there, he finished his Law Degree out of Texas Tech University in May of 1982. He retired as a CPA, previously served as Adjunct Lecturer at UHV, and is board certified by the State Bar Board  of Legal Specialization in the field of Estate Planning and Probate. Since then, he's specialized in wills, probate, and trust cases in the South Texas area. 

Born and raised in Inez, Texas where he started out his career for a fence building company. He later decided to make a career change and pursued his law degree. First studying Psychology at the University of Houston-Victoria and receiving his law degree from Thurgood Marshall School of Law. His main practice areas are in Fiduciary Litigation , Guardianships, Wills, Trusts, and Probate in the South Texas area.

Ethan Pham is an attorney dedicated to providing thoughtful and effective legal representation. Born in Jasper, Texas, and raised in Houston, Ethan brings a strong Texas-rooted perspective to his practice.

He earned his undergraduate degree in Biology from Nova Southeastern University, graduating in 2021. After completing his undergraduate studies, Ethan spent a year working as a deckhand in Port Aransas, gaining hands-on experience that shaped his strong work ethic and practical approach to problem-solving.

Ethan went on to earn his Juris Doctor from Texas Tech University School of Law, graduating in 2025. His diverse background, combined with his legal training, allows him to approach each case with diligence, adaptability, and attention to detail.

Angela Yaklin Lutz is a Legal Assistant supporting the firm’s estate planning and probate practice. With twenty-nine years of dedicated service, she brings a comprehensive background in client communications, document preparation and file management, helping ensure matters move efficiently from intake to completion.

Angela has served on the Board of Trustees for Austwell-Tivoli Independent School District for fifteen years and is committed to her community. She is the proud mother of two grown children and enjoys good music and a good book.

Sarah Garcia serves as the Office Manager at Estate Wise Legal Group, where she leads the firm’s administrative operations and supports a team of legal professionals. She is responsible for overseeing office procedures, improving workflow efficiency, and ensuring a high standard of client service.

With a strong attention to detail and a commitment to excellence, Sarah helps drive the firm’s day-to-day success.

Joseph Blakely was born in Beverly, Massachusetts, and spent much of his childhood throughout the New England area before relocating to Texas in 2011. He later settled in Goliad, where he graduated from Goliad High School in 2019.

Following graduation, Joseph enlisted in the United States Navy, demonstrating an early commitment to service, before being medically separated due to injury. He then spent several years working as an Industrial Technician at Formosa Plastics Corporation, where he developed a strong work ethic and attention to detail that continue to serve him in his current role.

Joseph has since transitioned into the legal field, where he applies his practical experience and disciplined approach to supporting clients and attorneys alike. Outside of the office, he enjoys hunting, fishing, and spending time outdoors.

Nicole Yaklin has been a valued member of the firm for seventeen years, bringing a high level of precision and reliability to her role as bookkeeper. She manages the firm’s billing, trust accounting, and accounts payable and receivable with meticulous attention to detail, helping ensure smooth financial operations and compliance.

Outside the office, Nicole is a proud and devoted “dance mom” and baseball mom. Whether at competitions or on the field, she can often be found cheering on her children and supporting them in all their endeavors.

Born in Twentynine Palms, California, into a Military family, the Vigil Family moved several times before eventually settling in Victoria, Texas. She graduated from Texas State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration, with an emphasis in Marketing. Moved back to Victoria after graduation to work as a Content Curator for a small business, and after two years, she decided to switch gears into Real Estate. Now working as an Assistant to an Escrow Officer.

Legal assistant with over four years of experience in estate planning, litigation, probate, and contested probate matters working alongside Jonathan R. Riehs. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and brings more than 20 years of bookkeeping experience, giving her the ability to navigate both the legal and financial aspects of complex cases. Outside of the office, she loves to travel and explore new places.

Escrow Officer

Escrow Assistant