Practice Areas

Attorneys

Liberty, Missouri

Overland Park, Kansas

Springfield, Missouri

St. Louis, Missouri

Estate Planning

At KWM, our Estate Planning professionals are dedicated to helping individuals and families plan for the future with confidence and clarity. Our experienced attorneys provide comprehensive legal guidance to protect your assets, minimize tax liabilities, and ensure that your wishes are honored for generations to come.

We understand that estate planning is about more than just distributing assets – it's about creating a legacy and providing peace of mind for your loved ones. Whether you are starting your first estate plan, revising an existing one, or navigating complex family dynamics, we are here to offer customized solutions tailored to your unique circumstances and goals. Our estate planning services are unique to each client, but may include:

Wills & Trusts: Drafting wills and creating trusts to ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes.
Powers of Attorney: Establishing durable and healthcare powers of attorney to appoint trusted individuals to manage your affairs.
Advanced Healthcare Directives: Ensuring your healthcare preferences are documented and respected.
Asset Protection: Developing strategies to safeguard your assets against potential creditors and unforeseen risks.
Charitable Giving: Structuring charitable trusts and donations to support the causes you care about while achieving tax benefits.

KWM attorneys pride ourselves on delivering thoughtful, client-focused estate planning services. We take the time to understand your goals and provide clear, actionable advice that helps you make informed decisions about your future. Let us help you build a secure plan that reflects your values and protects what matters most. Please feel free to contact one of our estate planning professionals to assist you and your family.

Attorneys

Liberty, Missouri

Overland Park, Kansas

Aaron K. Kirkland

Springfield, Missouri

Catherine E. Moore

St. Louis, Missouri

Fiduciary Litigation

Disputes involving estates and trusts can be emotional and legally complex. At KWM, our experienced Estate and Trust Litigation professionals are dedicated to resolving conflicts efficiently while protecting your rights and interests. Whether you are a beneficiary, trustee, executor, or heir, we provide skilled advocacy to help you navigate contentious situations with confidence. Our experienced attorneys handle a wide range of estate and trust disputes, including:

Will and Trust Contests: Challenging or defending the validity of a will or a trust based on allegations of undue influence, fraud, or lack of capacity.
Trust Disputes: Resolving issues involving the interpretation, administration, or modification of trusts.
Breach of Fiduciary Duty: Pursuing and defending claims against executors, trustees, or fiduciaries who are alleged to have failed in their legal obligations.
Beneficiary Rights: Protecting beneficiaries' interests when conflicts arise over distributions, accounting, or improper asset management.
Estate Administration Disputes: Addressing disagreements related to probate proceedings and estate management.

Rather than relying on an estate planning attorney with little litigation experience or litigators with no knowledge of estate planning, our seasoned fiduciary litigators have both the substantive and procedural experience to efficiently and effectively handle all disputes related to estates and trusts. KWM is consistently named the “Top Rated” law firm in the State of Missouri by “Best Lawyers” with more lawyers ranked by that publication for Estate and Trust Litigation than any other law firm. Our goal is to achieve fair outcomes while minimizing stress and disruption for our clients. Whether through negotiation, mediation, or courtroom advocacy, we are committed to protecting your rights and achieving the best possible resolution. Please feel free to contact one of our fiduciary litigation professionals to assist you and your family.

Attorneys

Liberty, Missouri

Overland Park, Kansas

Springfield, Missouri

St. Louis, Missouri

Probate Trust & Estate Administration

The probate and trust administration process can be complex and overwhelming for families and fiduciaries tasked with managing a loved one's estate. At KWM, we provide clear, compassionate guidance to ensure the orderly administration of estates and trusts in accordance with legal requirements and the decedent’s wishes.

Our attorneys have extensive experience assisting executors, trustees, and beneficiaries through every step of the process. Whether navigating court-supervised probate proceedings or managing trust administration, we offer the support and expertise you need to fulfill your responsibilities effectively and efficiently. Our Probate and Trust Administration services include:

Probate Representation: Guiding executors and administrators through probate proceedings, including filing petitions, managing court filings, and resolving disputes.
Trust Administration: Assisting trustees with trust interpretation, asset management, and distribution to beneficiaries.
Beneficiary Representation: Advising beneficiaries on their legal rights to ensure compliance with applicable law and the governing documents.
Asset Inventory and Valuation: Identifying, valuing, and managing estate and trust assets.
Creditor Claims Management: Addressing and resolving claims made against the estate or trust.
Tax Compliance: Assisting in estate and trust tax issues while identifying opportunities for tax savings.

At KWM, we understand the importance of careful and efficient estate and trust administration. Our team is committed to helping you navigate the process with confidence, ensuring that your loved one's legacy is preserved and honored while minimizing administrative burdens. Please feel free to contact one of our probate and trust administration professionals to assist you.

Attorneys

Liberty, Missouri

Overland Park, Kansas

Aaron K. Kirkland

Springfield, Missouri

St. Louis, Missouri

Guardianships and Conservatorships

When a loved one is unable to manage their own affairs due to age, illness, or incapacity, establishing a guardianship or conservatorship may be necessary to ensure their well-being and financial security. At KWM, we guide families through the legal process of appointing trusted individuals to act in the best interests of vulnerable loved ones.

Our attorneys provide compassionate and knowledgeable support to address the sensitive and often complex issues surrounding guardianships and conservatorships. Whether you are seeking to establish, modify, or contest a guardianship or conservatorship, we are here to help you navigate every step of the process. Our Guardianship and Conservatorship services include:

Guardianship for Adults: Assisting families in obtaining legal authority to make personal and healthcare decisions for incapacitated adults.
Conservatorship of Assets: Helping clients manage and protect the financial affairs of individuals who are unable to do so themselves.
Contested Proceedings: Representing parties in disputes over the necessity, scope, or administration of guardianships and conservatorships.
Fiduciary Guidance: Advising guardians and conservators on their legal duties and responsibilities to ensure compliance with court requirements.

At KWM, we recognize the importance of balancing compassion with strong advocacy in guardianship and conservatorship matters. We are committed to providing solutions that protect vulnerable individuals while minimizing family conflict and ensuring legal compliance. Please feel free to contact one of our guardianship and conservatorship professionals to assist you.

Attorneys

Liberty, Missouri

Brandon M. Oldham

Overland Park, Kansas

Richard D. Woods

Springfield, Missouri

Emily J. Kembell

St. Louis, Missouri

Andrew M. Mitchell

Real Estate

At KWM, we recognize that real estate is often part of a trust or an estate. Our Real Estate practice is dedicated to helping individuals navigate all aspects of real estate transactions, with a specific focus on the transaction’s relation to the overall estate plan. With a deep understanding of property law and market dynamics, our experienced attorneys provide clear, practical guidance to protect your interests in every real estate matter. Our Real Estate services include:

Residential and Commercial Transactions: Assisting buyers, sellers, and developers with purchase agreements, sales, and closings.
Leases and Leasing Agreements: Drafting and negotiating lease agreements for residential, commercial, and industrial properties.
Title and Due Diligence: Reviewing and interfacing with title professionals to ensure clean property transfers.
Financing and Mortgage Review: Advising on real estate financing and mortgage agreements.

Whether you are buying, selling, leasing, or developing real estate as part of your estate plan or administration, KWM is committed to ensuring a smooth, successful process. We provide the strategic advice and legal expertise necessary to protect your investment and achieve your real estate goals. Please feel free to contact one of our real estate professionals to assist you.

Attorneys

Liberty, Missouri

Overland Park, Kansas

Springfield, Missouri

St. Louis, Missouri

Business Formations and Planning

Starting and growing a business requires careful planning and a strong legal foundation. At KWM, our Business Formation and Planning professionals help entrepreneurs lay the groundwork for success. Our attorneys provide strategic guidance to address the legal, operational, and financial considerations that come with building and managing a business. Our Business Formation and Planning services include:

Entity Selection and Formation: Advising on the choice of entity and handling all aspects of formation, including drafting articles of incorporation, operating agreements, and bylaws.
Corporate Governance: Assisting with governance matters, including structuring boards, drafting shareholder agreements, and ensuring regulatory compliance.
Business Contracts: Drafting and reviewing contracts, including partnership agreements, vendor contracts, and client agreements.
Risk Management: Identifying and mitigating potential legal risks to protect your business interests.
Succession Planning: Developing strategies to transition ownership and leadership to the next generation.

At KWM, we understand the challenges and opportunities that come with business ownership. Whether you are launching a new venture, expanding operations, or preparing for succession, our team is committed to providing personalized, practical solutions to help your business thrive. Please feel free to contact one of our business planning professionals to assist you.

Attorneys

Liberty, Missouri

Springfield, Missouri

Catherine E. Moore

St. Louis, Missouri

Alternative Dispute Resolution

KWM’s ADR practice focuses on resolving disputes through methods such as mediation, arbitration, and negotiation, helping parties avoid the time, expense, and uncertainty associated with court proceedings. Our team of mediators and arbitrators includes former probate commissioners as well as practitioners formally trained and certified in mediation and arbitration. Our ADR services include:

Mediation: Acting as a mediator in trust and estate disputes to assist parties in reaching a negotiated resolution.
Arbitration: Being appointed by the parties or the Court to act as a binding arbitrator in an estate or trust dispute, which promotes confidentiality and efficiency in resolving a dispute.
Special Master: Accepting appointments from the Court to assist in resolving disputes that may arise in litigation.
Special Fiduciary: Acting as a court-appointed trustee or personal representative of an estate or trust during the pendency of litigation.

Our ADR practice prioritizes confidentiality, flexibility, and creativity in problem-solving, ensuring that parties receive effective outcomes suited to their specific needs. Whether pursuing a quick settlement or a binding resolution, we help parties navigate ADR processes smoothly, aiming for a resolution that is both fair and final. Please feel free to contact one of our ADR professionals to assist you.

Attorneys

Liberty, Missouri

Overland Park, Kansas

Springfield, Missouri

St. Louis, Missouri

Estate and Gift Tax Planning

Our Estate and Gift Tax Planning professionals provide comprehensive strategies to help clients minimize their tax liabilities while protecting and transferring wealth across generations. We work closely with individuals, families, and business owners to design customized plans that reflect their goals, ensuring that assets are passed on efficiently and in accordance with their wishes.

KWM’s experienced attorneys guide clients through complex federal and state estate and gift tax laws, offering solutions to reduce estate taxes, gift taxes, and generation-skipping transfer taxes. We help structure trusts, establish charitable giving plans, and utilize lifetime gifting strategies to preserve wealth and maximize the impact of transfers.

Whether your goal is to ensure your heirs are taken care of, support charitable causes, or maintain family control over a business, our team provides practical, tax-efficient solutions. We take a holistic approach, considering all aspects of estate and gift planning to provide peace of mind and protect your legacy for future generations. Please feel free to contact one of our estate and gift tax planning professionals to assist you.

Our Areas of Practice

Attorneys

Estate Planning