I have practiced in the areas of estate planning and elderlaw for over 28 years.  I handle some estate and trust related litigation matters.  I take a combined approach to estate planning - I am as concerned as much for what happens when a client lives (and hopefully lives well) as what happens when a client dies.  I work with a wide range of clients - some of whom are in need of Medicaid and VA benefits planning to assist with the payment of long term care costs, and some of whom have large estates which requires sophisticated estate tax savings techniques.   While I have been a part of the Kansas City community for my entire legal career, I am originally from Kirksville, Missouri.  I am a single adoptive parent whose son is now in college.  I am active in my church - Heartland Community Church in Olathe, Kansas.  In addition to being a member of several Estate Planning and Elderlaw related groups and Boards, I also serve as an Ambassador for Solace House, a grief counseling center in the Greater Kansas City area.