Planning Guides
In-depth resources on estate planning, elder law, and business planning—written in plain language so you can understand your options before we ever talk.
Estate Planning Guides
Advanced topics in estate planning and asset protection
How to Choose a Personal Representative
What the role actually involves, what qualities matter most, common mistakes families make, and the questions to ask before you name someone in your will.
Read the guide →Start HereA Plain-Language Guide to Probate in Missouri
What probate actually involves, the five-stage process, what it costs, how long it takes, and how Kansas City families can avoid it entirely with the right plan.
Read the guide →Wills vs. Trusts: What's the Actual Difference?
What each document does, when a will alone is enough, when a trust makes sense, and why most Kansas City families end up needing both.
Read the guide →Last Will & Testament
What a will actually does, what it can't do, how to choose an executor, and why having one is the minimum every adult in Kansas City needs.
Read the guide →Revocable Living Trust
How a revocable trust works, how it avoids probate, how it compares to a will, and when it makes sense for Kansas City families.
Read the guide →Missouri Beneficiary Deeds: How They Work, What They Avoid, and When to Use One
How a beneficiary deed can pass Missouri real estate outside probate, the recording rules, what it does not solve, and when a trust may be the better tool.
Read the guide →How to Set Up Powers of Attorney in Missouri
The four types of powers of attorney, how to choose the right agent, and what happens if you become incapacitated without one in place.
Read the guide →Irrevocable Trusts: How They Protect Assets, What You Give Up, and When They Make Sense
How irrevocable trusts work, the main types (MAPT, SNT, ILIT), how they compare to a revocable trust, what you give up, and when they make sense for Missouri families.
Read the guide →Elder Law Guides
Veterans benefits, disability planning, and long-term care resources
How to Protect Your Home from Medicaid in Missouri
What Missouri Medicaid's estate recovery program means for your home, which exemptions apply, and what planning strategies are available for Kansas City families at every stage.
Read the guide →Start HereHow to Plan for Medicaid in Missouri Before You Need It
How Medicaid works in Missouri, the five-year lookback rule, what you can protect, and how to plan ahead so a nursing home doesn't consume everything you've saved.
Read the guide →Veterans Benefits & Aid & Attendance
A guide to the VA Aid & Attendance benefit, who qualifies, how much it pays, and how to coordinate it with Medicaid planning for maximum protection.
Read the guide →Special Needs Trust
How a special needs trust preserves government benefit eligibility for a disabled beneficiary while still allowing family members to leave them an inheritance.
Read the guide →Disability Planning & Incapacity Documents
What happens without a durable power of attorney or healthcare directive, and how to put the right documents in place before a health event forces the issue.
Read the guide →Kansas City: One City, Two States
Complete guide to estate planning across the Missouri-Kansas state line. Multi-state planning strategies, courthouse locations, Medicaid rules, and probate procedures for KC families.
Read the guide →Business Planning
Business Planning Guides
Succession planning and entity formation for business owners
What Happens to Your Business If You Die or Become Incapacitated?
A practical guide to ownership, authority, buy-sell planning, and business continuity when an owner can no longer lead.
Read the guide →Entity Formation & Business Structure
LLCs, S-corps, and other structures, how to choose the right entity for your business and make sure it's set up correctly from the start.
Read the guide →Not sure where to start?
A free consultation is the easiest way to understand what applies to your situation. We will walk you through what matters, answer your questions, and help you figure out the right next step, without pressure.