Crain Caton & James

Overview

Jessica Guobadia is a member of the Firm’s Probate, Trust, and Guardianship and Fiduciary Litigation Groups.  She is an attorney and mediator dedicated to assisting individuals, and their families, to navigate the guardianship, probate, and mental health commitment processes.

As a mental health and guardianship attorney, Jessica advocates for individuals to ensure that their rights are protected, while also helping families and caregivers to navigate these processes.  She enjoys working with her clients to ensure that the best outcome is reached in each case, with the hope that each individual is allowed to reach their fullest potential and enjoy a fulfilling life.

Jessica also handles probate matters, including heirships and probate of wills.  Although navigating the probate process can be difficult, Jessica strives to provide her clients knowledgeable, compassionate counsel during this time.  Jessica also enjoys assisting clients to craft their own estate plan to ensure that their wishes are followed.

Jessica has served as applicant’s counsel and/or court appointed attorney ad litem, guardian ad litem, administrator, and guardian of the person and estate, as applicable, in various matters, including: probate administration, guardianships, personal injury matters, involuntary mental health commitments, and emergency removal proceedings.  Her experience on all sides of these matters allows Jessica to more fully understand the full implications of decisions involving guardianship and mental health treatment options, permitting her to advise her clients from a wholistic point of view.  It also allows her to serve as an effective mediator in guardianship and probate matters.

Jessica is admitted to practice in Texas and California*.  She has represented clients in state and federal courts, as well in various appellate matters before the Texas Supreme Court and Courts of Appeal.

Jessica received her Doctor of Jurisprudence from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, where she was a member of the St. Thomas More Law Honor Society, participated in moot court and appellate advocacy, and served as a clinical student at the Center for Juvenile Law and Policy. She graduated from Boston College with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Minor in Latin American Studies.

Jessica grew up in Massachusetts and moved to Texas in 2009, after a brief stay in the Los Angeles area for law school. Jessica currently resides in The Woodlands with her husband, three daughters, and their goldendoodle.  In the past, Jessica has volunteered with mental health advocacy groups; veterans and first responders on a variety of legal issues, including estate planning.

*California (inactive status)

Affiliations

• Texas Bar College, 2021-Present
• Board Member, Community Affairs – Pro Bono, Woodlands Bar Association, 2018-2022
• Volunteer Attorney, Lone Star Legal Aid Monthly Legal Clinics / Pro-Bono Cases, Houston
• Volunteer Lawyers, and Beacon Law, 2016-Present
• ABA, Managed Care and Insurance Interest Group Policy Liaison, 2016-2017
• HFMA, Volunteer, Newsletter and Program Committees, 2014-2016
• Vice Chair, ABA YLD, General Practice, Small Firm, and Solo Group, 2014-2015
• Brief Grader, ABA, Moot Court Competition, Brief Grader, 2012-2016
• The Woodlands Bar Association, Wills for Heroes, Volunteer, 2014-2015

Honors & Awards

• Best Lawyers in America – Elder Law and Litigation-Trusts and Estates, BL Rankings, 2024-2025