Estate Planning
Wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and everything in between — built around your family, not a template.
Estate Planning Is About Your Family, Not Your Documents
A good estate plan is not a stack of forms. It is a set of clear decisions - about who is in charge, who is protected, and what happens in the situations you cannot predict. Most people come to us not because they have a complicated estate, but because they want to stop putting it off.
There is no single moment that makes estate planning urgent. But most people come to us when something has shifted - a new child, an aging parent, a business they have built, a home they want to protect. The common thread is that they want clarity: to know their family will be taken care of, and that the people they trust will have the authority to act when it matters.
Whatever brought you here, the goal is the same - a plan that reflects your life, holds up when it is needed, and does not require your family to figure things out on their own.
- A new baby or growing family
- Buying a home or significant property
- Starting or growing a business
- Marriage, remarriage, or blended family
- An aging parent who needs help planning
- Receiving an inheritance
- Retirement or approaching retirement
What a Well-Built Estate Plan Actually Does
Estate planning is not about anticipating the worst. It is about making sure the people you care about are protected, informed, and not left guessing.
Your family avoids probate court
A properly structured plan keeps your estate out of the public court process - saving your family months of delay and thousands in legal fees.
The right people are in charge
You choose who manages your finances, who makes medical decisions, and who raises your children. Without a plan, a court makes those decisions for you.
Your intentions are clear
A good plan eliminates ambiguity. Your family knows what you wanted, who gets what, and why - reducing conflict and protecting relationships.
You are protected if you become incapacitated
Powers of attorney and healthcare directives ensure someone you trust can act on your behalf immediately - without a court order.
Your business has a plan too
If you own a business, your estate plan addresses what happens to it - so it does not collapse or fall into the wrong hands during a transition.
Your plan reflects your life
Not a template. A plan built around your family structure, your assets, and your priorities - reviewed and updated as your life changes.
How We Build It
Most people come in knowing they need something but not sure exactly what. That is fine - figuring out the right combination is part of what we do together. Here is a plain-language breakdown of what each document actually does.
Revocable Living Trust
Keeps your estate out of probate, lets your family access assets immediately, and gives you full control while you are alive. The right choice for most families with property or privacy concerns.
Learn more →Will
Names a guardian for your minor children and serves as a backup for anything not covered by a trust. Even if you have a trust, you still need a will.
Learn more →Financial Power of Attorney
Names someone to manage your finances if you become incapacitated. Without one, your family may have to go to court to get that authority.
Learn more →Healthcare Power of Attorney
Names someone to make medical decisions for you if you cannot make them yourself. Works alongside a living will to make your wishes clear.
Learn more →One of the most important decisions in your will is who you name as personal representative. Read our guide: How to Choose a Personal Representative
Not Sure What You Need? That’s Fine.
Most people come in with a situation - a new baby, an aging parent, a business, a home - not a checklist. We help you figure out what applies to your circumstances and what the right steps are, in plain language, without pressure.
The consultation is free. No obligation. Just clarity about what you have, what you need, and what it would take to get there.
What It's Like to Work With Us
We have designed this to be simple, clear, and actually manageable in a busy life. You will not be handed a stack of documents and left to figure it out.
Start with a conversation
A quick, focused call to understand your family, your priorities, and what you already have in place.
Build a plan that fits your life
We walk you through the key decisions and design a plan that works in the real world, not just on paper.
Put everything together clearly
We prepare your documents and organize everything so it is easy to review and understand.
Review it together, without pressure
We go through everything step by step, answer your questions, and make sure you feel confident before signing anything.
Finalize and make sure it works
We complete your plan and guide you on how to properly put everything in place so your family is protected when it matters.
Want more detail? See our full process page →
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I die without a will in Missouri?
If you pass away without a valid will, Missouri's intestate succession laws determine how your assets are distributed. This process follows a fixed legal formula that may not reflect your wishes, and it does not account for the specific relationships, circumstances, or intentions that matter most to your family. It also typically requires probate court involvement, which can be time-consuming and costly for your loved ones.
Do I need a will, a trust, or both?
Most families benefit from having both. A will covers assets that are not held in a trust and names guardians for minor children. A trust allows assets to pass to your beneficiaries without going through probate, which saves time, reduces costs, and keeps your affairs private. We will help you determine what makes sense for your specific situation.
What is a revocable living trust and how does it work?
A revocable living trust is a legal arrangement in which you transfer ownership of your assets to the trust while retaining full control during your lifetime. You can modify or revoke it at any time. Upon your death, the assets in the trust pass directly to your named beneficiaries without going through probate, saving time, reducing costs, and keeping your affairs private.
What is a power of attorney and why do I need one?
A durable power of attorney designates a trusted person - your "agent" - to manage your financial and legal affairs if you become unable to do so yourself. Without one, your family may need to go through a court-supervised guardianship or conservatorship process to gain the legal authority to act on your behalf, which can be expensive and time-consuming. A power of attorney avoids that entirely.
What is a healthcare directive and living will?
A healthcare directive (also called a healthcare power of attorney) designates someone to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are incapacitated. A living will documents your specific preferences regarding life-sustaining treatment and end-of-life care. Together, these documents ensure that your medical wishes are known and that the right person has the legal authority to act on them.
When should I update my estate plan?
Estate plans should be reviewed after any significant life change - marriage, divorce, the birth or adoption of a child, the death of a beneficiary or named fiduciary, a major change in assets, or a move to a different state. Even without a major life event, it is generally a good idea to review your plan every three to five years to ensure it still reflects your wishes and accounts for any changes in Missouri law.
How long does the estate planning process take?
For most families, the process takes two to four weeks from the initial consultation to signing your completed documents. We work efficiently and keep you informed at every step. If you have a time-sensitive situation - a pending surgery, an upcoming trip, or a new baby on the way - we can often accommodate an expedited timeline.
Do you serve clients outside of Kansas City?
Yes. While our primary focus is the Kansas City metro - including Overland Park, Leawood, Lee's Summit, Brookside, Parkville, Liberty, and surrounding communities - we work with clients throughout Missouri. We offer flexible scheduling and can accommodate virtual consultations for clients who prefer to meet remotely.