The Firm

At Pyke & Associates, we are a full-service Dallas estate planning and probate firm striving to take the fear and unpredictability out of legal services.

We handle contested and uncontested probate matters, including guardianship, and offer a full-range of estate planning services to draft wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. We also offer Medicaid planning & elder law services.

What makes Pyke & Associates Different?

One thing is our approach to billing, quoting fixed-fees where possible.  This is a passion of our founder, David Pyke, which you can see in this video where he discusses the difference our approach makes to you and your loved ones finances.

Why Us?

  • We have handled hundreds of estates from simply probating a will to disputed estates involving millions of dollars.
  • We make a commitment to quote fixed-fee arrangements when possible and stick to that arrangement.
  • We strive to take the guess work and fear out of the process. We tell you what to expect and what it will cost.
  • We handle dozens of guardianships a year.
  • We appear in the Probate/Guardianship courts in the entire metroplex – Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, Denton, Ellis and Rockwall counties.

About Us

Here’s a little more info on our hard-working team of attorneys.

David. M. Pyke

Managing Attorney

David. M. Pyke
David M. Pyke
Rated by Super Lawyers


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More than 30 years of experience!

Mr. Pyke, a native Dallasite, has tried over fifty disputed cases and has focused his practice in probate administration and disputes and estate planning since 2000. His knowledge of the judges, juries, and community gives him an unique insight to well advise you in planning, administration, and disputed matters.

Mr. Pyke has been married more than 35 years to Debra, a CPA, and has two children, Bobbye Elizabeth, a law student at the University of Houston, and Jackson, an electrical engineer. Mr. Pyke is an active member and choir member of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. Away from law, he loves baseball, shooting sports, and reading.

Academic Background

  • Honor graduate (Cum Laude) of Southern Methodist University Law School
  • Order of the Coif
  • Law Review Editor
  • Order of Barristers
  • Honor graduate (Magna Cum Laude) of Baylor University Business School
  • Major in Accounting
  • Passed the CPA exam on 1st attempt in 1983

Professional Honors & Organizations

  • Texas’ “Super Lawyer” (2020)
  • D Magazine – Best Lawyers Dallas (2020)
  • Million Dollar Advocates Forum
  • Highest Rating (AV) by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court
  • Texas Bar – Licensed by the Supreme Court of Texas
  • Member of the Real Estate, Probate and Trust Law Section of the State Bar of Texas
  • Dallas Bar Association – Member of the Probate Section
  • Licensed to practice in all Texas state trial and appellate courts, including the Supreme Court of Texas
  • Licensed to practice in the United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Texas
  • Licensed to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth and Eight Circuits
  • Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation 1998 – present

Jeffrey L. Crouch

Medicaid and Probate Associate

Jeffrey L. Crouch

Mr. Crouch has been practicing law for over 28 years and has concentrated his practice on probate and guardianship issues and disputes, and estate planning, especially Medicaid and VA planning. He is a certified mediator and is certified to represent clients in guardianship matters by the State Bar of Texas.  He is also accredited by the Veteran’s Administration.

Mr. Crouch is a cum laude graduate of Texas Tech School of Law, and has practiced at Strasburger and Price, Jenkens & Gilchrist, and most recently, Haiman Hogue, PLLC.  Mr. Crouch received a Bachelor’s of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin.

Mr. Crouch has tried numerous cases in North Texas to verdict, and is a member of the Real Estate, Probate and Trust Law section of the State Bar of Texas.  He is admitted to practice by the Supreme Court of Texas, the United States District Courts for the Northern, Eastern, and Southern Districts of Texas, and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Mr. Crouch resides in Frisco and is a member of the Collin County Bar Association.

James Balen

Probate Associate

James Balen

James is originally from Windsor, Ontario.  He earned his law degree from the University of North Texas at Dallas College of Law.  While in law school, James gained extensive experience with probate matters as a clerk for the Honorable Ingrid M. Warren in Dallas Probate Court 2. Since then, James has committed himself to the probate practice for the duration of his legal career.  James is committed to building strong relationships with clients and ensuring the best solution to their problems.

Prior to attending law school, James worked as a licensed mortgage broker in Texas since 2006.  Outside of law, James enjoys spending time with family and friends, golf, and traveling.

Academic Background

  • University of North Texas at Dallas College of Law
  • University of Western Ontario, Bachelor of Arts, Political Science

Activities & Affiliations

  • Member of the State Bar of Texas Real Estate, Probate, and Trust Section
  • Member of the Dallas Bar Association
  • Member of the Dallas Bar Association Probate Section

Bar Admissions & Certifications

  • Licensed Attorney, State Bar of Texas
  • Certified Guardian/Attorney Ad Litem, State of Texas

Herman Moncure

Estate Planning Associate

Herman Moncure

Herman was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, primarily by his grandparents. His grandfather worked for General Motors for 44 years, and his grandmother worked for a local hospital for 25 years.  As a young man, Herman oversaw end-of-life care for his grandparents, coordinating their medical care and administering their estates. This upbringing provided Herman with a strong work ethic and a front-row seat to many of the legal issues his grandparents faced, which sparked his interest in helping families, particularly elderly individuals, in dealing with estate planning and probate matters.

Prior to attending law school, Herman worked in business and finance for over a decade, including serving as a portfolio manager for various classes of assets. While working full-time in addition to pursuing his law degree, Herman volunteered as a student attorney writing estate plans for elderly clients and providing status updates regarding the well-being of wards of the Court. Herman fully understands the need to handle estate and probate matters with care and compassion.

Academic Background

  • Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Cum Laude
  • Walsh College of Business Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Finance
  • Eastern Michigan University Bachelor of Business Administration, Economics
  • Member of Phi Delta Phi Legal Honors Fraternity

Activities & Affiliations

  • Member of the State Bar of Texas Real Estate, Probate, and Trust Section
  • Member of the Dallas Bar Association
  • Member of the Dallas Bar Association Probate Section
  • Member of the J.L. Turner Legal Association

Bar Admissions & Certifications

  • Licensed Attorney, State Bar of Texas
  • Certified Guardian/Attorney Ad Litem, State of Texas