Wills, Trusts & Estates

I have concentrated my practice in clients needing estate planning (wills, trusts, asset protection trusts) real estate contracts, real estate litigation (including landlord/tenant evictions), probate court proceedings, guardianships, power of attorney and health care power of attorney, collection of outstanding debts for individuals and businesses, prosecution, and defense of breach of contract litigation.

• Nolo Document Review

• Credit Unions
• Savings & Thrifts

• Life Insurance
• Property & Casualty

• Charitable Giving
• Charitable Trusts
• Drafting Trusts
• Drafting Wills
• Estate Administration
• Estate Planning
• Living Trusts
• Living Wills
• Probate
• Asset Protection
• Guardianship
• Power of Attorney
• Business Succession Planning
• Special Needs Trust
• Supplemental Needs Trust
• Revocable Trust & Irrevocable Trust

MO, Sep 1973
Bar Number: 23149

Missouri State Courts, including Missouri Supreme Court.

Missouri Bar Association, St. Charles County Bar Association, and National Association of Elder Law Attorneys.

I attend and participate in Continuing Legal Education programs in estate planning and real estate issues provided by the Missouri Bar Association and the National Association of Elder Law Attorneys. I also attend the annual program provided by the Missouri Bar Association, called The Solo and Small Firm Conference, which provides a tool for learning about issues that other attorneys in the state are dealing with and provides a continuing means of communicating with other attorneys to get advice and help on resolving difficult legal issues in your own practice.

A recent case involved my representation of a widow. Her husband had established a trust prior to his marriage to my client. He had children from a previous marriage. After marrying my client he made some amendments in his trust to give her the house and other assets, but not totally disinheriting his children. After his death his children filed a lawsuit challenging his mental ability to amend his trust. Although this did not go to trial I did get a favorable settlement for my client, the widow, insuring her of sufficient assets for her care into the future.

I have also represented a young couple on damages suffered as a result of the fraudulent hiding of foundation damages when the couple purchased a new home. The lawsuit was filed and pursued and was scheduled for trial, but the defendants then settled the lawsuit for $17,000. This lawsuit involved various issues about full disclosure and the possible conspiracy of the seller and real estate agent was hiding the defects from the buyers. It also involved the necessity of obtaining expert witnesses to testify about the loss in value of the residence because of the hidden defects.

1

Missouri

I began practicing law in 1973 in St. Louis County, Missouri, getting valuable experience from older attorneys for whom I worked for two to three years. My goal was to return to St. Charles County where I grew up and had family members in various business enterprises. In the earlier part of 1980, I formed a law firm with three other attorneys at my present location. Those attorneys have retired from law practice, and I eventually bought out their interests in the building and law practice.

The focus of my practice is to provide a reasonably priced service to clients by giving them advice that helps them reach a satisfactory resolution of their legal problems. I try to provide to my client advice for his or her unique needs. I do not try to build my practice upon a cookie-cutter process where a client is turned away if his or her individual case does not fit a specific area of need.

I own my own building and have been at the current location since 1980. Over the years there have been other attorneys with whom I have been partners, but currently there is one other attorney who rents office space and provides legal services in areas I do not handle, such as workers comp, social security disability, criminal matters, personal injury cases, etc.

I have been in private practice since I was first admitted to the Missouri Bar Association. During various periods I have served as a Municipal Judge for the City of St. Peters, (1976 to 1985) and as Municipal Judge for the City of Moscow Mills (2002 to 2006). These were part-time positions which did not prevent me from private practice while serving as judge.

I have been an active officer and board member for Birthright of Wentzville, Missouri, a nonprofit organization providing alternatives to abortion and counseling and financial assistance to qualified individuals and families.

I have been a volunteer for Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, providing pro-bono legal services to clients referred by Legal Services.

I am active in my church, singing on the choir and serving on various committees. I have traveled to Belize over the last two years to provide education and building construction help.

Kris

(636) 281-3333

Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Evening and Saturday appointments also available.

No

I generally have a schedule of fixed prices for estate planning services, ranging from $300 for a simple will to $1,500 for a trust. However, additional fees will be charged if the transfer of assets to a trust involves more than one or two tracts of real estate or other kinds of transfer of a complicated nature.

I do not have a fixed price for litigation, unless I can determine that it will be a non-contested or default matter.

I will generally not charge an initial conference fee. At the end of an initial conference I will give the client my best estimate of the fees and costs. The client can then decide whether he or she wants me to represent him or her. Generally, I will require one-half of estimated fees before beginning the preparation of any paperwork or further legal services.

My hourly rate is $175 to $200 depending upon the nature of the case.

I will offer a free initial consultation for up to an hour.

In estate planning matters I will request 50 percent of the fees and costs before preparing drafts of any documents.