About Everwood Legal
If you’re here, it means you’re seeking a helping hand.
We understand that your family is your greatest priority, and you want to care for them above all else.
At Everwood Legal we’re dedicated to listening and supporting you. We’re committed to meeting all your needs and securing a bright future for you and your family.
At Everwood Legal we believe…
In Listening to You
We ensure your concerns are always heard and strive to address them each time.
In Securing Your Family's Future
Family is the cornerstone of our lives, which is why we want to care for those who matter most to you.
In Giving You Peace of Mind
Our support is aimed towards alleviating your worries, allowing you to focus on what truly matters.
In Working for You
With our expert guidance, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy your life while we care for your legal needs.
Joel Norris, Esq.
Meet Joel, an Estate Planning and Probate Attorney committed to protecting your legacy.
Hi, I’m Joel, and welcome to my practice!
I specialize in estate planning, probate litigation, estate and trust administration, estate litigation, and planning for families with minor children.
Helping individuals and families secure their futures is my passion. With extensive experience in these complex areas of law, I am dedicated to providing personalized solutions that meet your unique needs.
In addition to my legal practice, I have contributed to the Norris Modern Probate System, available exclusively through TxDocs®. This system offers the most comprehensive collection of Texas-specific probate forms, and I am proud to have authored many of the unique forms that address the practical challenges I’ve encountered throughout my career.
When you choose Everwoord Legal, you can expect a professional yet approachable atmosphere where your concerns are heard and addressed with the utmost care.
I invite you to reach out and see how we can work together to protect what matters most to you.
Meet our Houston Estate planning & probate Team
Tonya L. Knauth
Attorney, PLLC
Licensed as an attorney for more than 30 years, Tonya’s practice is focused on estate planning, probate, and guardianship. Tonya strives to serve clients compassionately and efficiently in planning for and managing incapacity and death.
Tonya is a third-generation alumna of the University of Texas, earning a B.B.A. in Business Management. With a J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center, Tonya started her legal practice working in commercial litigation, eventually opening her own firm and shifting to estate planning, probate, and guardianship. She is a member of the Texas Bar College and has served in leadership roles for the Houston Bar Association, Attorneys in Tax and Probate, and the Texas Probate Law American Inn of Court.
In addition to legal service, Tonya is a community servant, currently serving as member of the Board of Directors of Leadership Houston. She has served in leadership roles in a wide variety of community organizations including the League of Women Voters of Houston, Garden Oaks Civic Club, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church Foundation, the Foster Family YMCA, Friends of Montessori, and multiple HISD schools.
A fiercely proud “mama bear,” Tonya is the mother of three young adults and one stepdaughter along with her husband Rick; together they have built a loving extended family relationship that includes their adoptive, birth, and stepfamilies. And we can’t leave out the family dog Rosie, who regularly comes to the office and gets lots of pats and treats! Leisure time for Tonya is focused on family, reading, travel, and cultural learning experiences (including enjoying all the diverse restaurants in Houston).
MegHan Malone
Paralegal
Meghan Malone is a Paralegal at Everwood Legal, where she supports clients and the legal team through document drafting, hearing coordination, witness communication, court and clerk correspondence, heir research, client correspondence, notary services, and estate planning binder assembly.
Meghan’s background includes experience working with small businesses, which has helped shape her practical, hands-on approach to client service and office support. In her role, she helps keep matters organized while assisting clients through a legal process that can often feel unfamiliar or overwhelming.
Meghan understands that many clients come to the firm without a full understanding of how complex the law and court system can be. She values transparency, clear communication, and helping clients stay informed while also recognizing the emotional challenges that can come with probate and estate matters.
What Meghan enjoys most about working at Everwood Legal is the opportunity to help people and the flexibility of her role. She is driven by integrity, honesty, and kindness in the work she does each day.
Outside of work, Meghan enjoys keeping up with current events and political news, gardening, traveling, discovering new music, making playlists, singing, and gaming.
Sharon Harrell
Attorney
Sharon Harrell is an Attorney at Everwood Legal, where she assists with various aspects of estate planning and probate. Her work includes drafting documents, researching special topics, and helping move matters from beginning to end with care and attention to detail.
Sharon values the close working relationships within the firm, including the direct communication, effective collaboration, and supportive environment that allow each team member to make a meaningful impact. She is driven by honesty, hard work, respect for others, and continued growth.
In her work with clients, Sharon focuses on being dependable, accountable, and helpful throughout the legal process. One meaningful experience involved guiding an overwhelmed client through a complex estate planning challenge by providing clear counsel and practical solutions that helped the client achieve their goals and feel confident in their estate plan.
Outside of work, Sharon enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, cooking, crocheting, reading, putting together puzzles, and participating in sports and outdoor activities, especially tennis and hiking.
Her favorite quote is, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Gina Gonzalez
Paralegal
Gina Gonzalez is a Paralegal at Everwood Legal, where she works alongside Tonya to support clients through probate, heirship, and related matters. Her work includes drafting documents, communicating with clients, and helping keep matters organized throughout the legal process.
Gina has worked as Tonya’s paralegal for more than 12 years. During that time, she has developed a deep understanding of the care, patience, and attention to detail clients need, especially after the loss of a loved one.
Gina is driven by compassion, kindness, and respect for both clients and coworkers. She understands that probate and heirship matters often come during a difficult time, and she strives to help clients feel supported as they work through the process.
One of the parts of her work Gina enjoys most is helping clients whose loved one passed away without a will. She finds it meaningful to help families through the heirship process and assist with putting the pieces of the puzzle together.
What Gina appreciates most about Everwood Legal is the people she gets to work with every day.
Outside of work, Gina enjoys spending time with her friends and attending her boys’ sporting events. She also enjoys books by John Grisham.
Her favorite quote is, “Be kind to everyone around you, you never know what they are going through.”
Nanette Sandoval
Client Service Assistant
Nanette Sandoval is a Client Service Assistant at Everwood Legal. She helps support the client experience by answering calls, scheduling appointments, greeting clients, and assisting with day-to-day administrative needs.
With multiple years of customer service experience, Nanette understands the importance of kindness, patience, and clear communication, especially when clients are navigating the loss of a loved one. She values the opportunity to provide comfort and support during difficult conversations and helps make each client feel welcomed and cared for.
Nanette is driven by integrity and a strong work ethic. What she appreciates most about Everwood Legal is the firm’s compassion for clients and its understanding of the emotional challenges families often face during probate and estate matters.
Outside of work, Nanette enjoys creating, spending time with her family, and being with her son.
Her favorite quote is, “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” attributed to the Dalai Lama.
A look at our offices
Protect what matters most
Your legacy deserves nothing less.
At Everwoord Legal, we appreciate the challenges you are facing, and we want you to know that we are here to help.
Our firm is dedicated to helping you find creative solutions while providing knowledgeable and compassionate support. Whether you are looking for legal help with planning your estate or handling the affairs of a deceased loved one, our team is ready to assist you.
No matter how overwhelming the situation seems right now, we encourage you to get in touch with our office and tell us your story. We can help you overcome the obstacles you face and achieve the outcomes you want and need.
