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2024

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Best Probate Lawyers in Independence

Our Recommended Top 17

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Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Independence Probate Lawyers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

41Reviewed

31Curated

17Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

721 Northeast 76th Street, Kansas City, MO 64118

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Law Office of Carrie Sue Doxsee is a firm that offers a multitude of services to those facing probate and related processes. It provides standard probate services, such as taking care of assets until they can be distributed and filing paperwork to start probate in court. This firm offers mediation services and can help estates to resolve internal conflicts, such as disagreements involving heirs, and avoid litigation when possible. Law Office of Carrie Sue Doxsee also assists families with estate planning and guardianships.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Carrie Doxsee - Managing AttorneyActive31 yrs

136 East Walnut Street, Independence, MO 64050

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.0 (41)
Facebook
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Ghafoor Cook Ellis LLC is a law firm serving clients in the Independence metro and the surrounding communities. Its team of probate lawyers guides clients through the judicial process of executing wills and estate plans and resolves issues that may arise during probate. They also provide assistance in drafting wills and trusts and handle cases that span bankruptcy, real estate, business, and intellectual property. Its founding partners have over 55 years of combined experience in various legal areas.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Jason Cook - PartnerActive25 yrs

601 NW Jefferson Street, Blue Springs, MO 64014
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.0 (29)

Why choose this provider?

Oswald Rew LLC provides legal guidance to families in Independence dealing with probate matters. Its team of lawyers, paralegals, and legal assistants helps executors efficiently administer and settle estates and litigates estate-related disputes should they arise. They also form estate plans and handle special needs and long-term care planning. Additionally, they represent businesses, public agencies, Realtors, developers, and educational institutions in real estate, taxation, IDEA compliance, and municipal law matters. The general practice firm has been operating for over 50 years.

  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Julius Oswald - partnerActive57 yrs

3435 Northeast Ralph Powell Road, Lee's Summit, MO 64064
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.0 (31)
Facebook
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

The Love Law Group LLC is a law firm that serves Independence and the surrounding areas in matters of probate law. The probate process can be a stressful undertaking for clients who recently lost a loved one. The firm assists in taking care of the legal work for the client, so they can properly grieve for the departed. Its attorneys help in various matters, such as filing wills to the courts, valuing properties, and distributing assets to the heirs.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Aaron Love - Founding AttorneyActive43 yrs
Aaron Love - Founding AttorneyActive43 yrs

9 Victory Dr #1, Liberty, MO 64068
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Northland Elder Law strives to protect and preserve the assets of clients in the Independence area. Its lawyers assist personal representatives in managing and completing the probate process in a timely manner. They also create customized solutions to serve the probate administration needs of the elderly and associated families. Kara Burgess has been practicing law for more than 34 years. She was the 2020 president of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys Missouri Chapter.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

304 SE 3rd St, Lees Summit, MO 64063

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Swisher Law Office caters to clients in the Independence community and the nearby cities. It guides elderly individuals in planning for the future of their assets, medical needs, and loved ones by offering elder law solutions. These solutions include probate representation, nursing home application, long-term care planning, and will and trust modifications. The law firm also provides legal consultation to individuals facing family law issues. Founding attorney Michael Paul Swisher has been practicing law since 1983. Swisher is also a member of the Kansas Bar Association.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

301 Northeast Mulberry Street, Lee's Summit, MO 64086

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.0 (33)
Facebook
5.0 (6)

Why choose this provider?

KC Elder Law is a law firm that serves clients in the Independence metro. Its legal team assists clients with probate and estate planning matters, helping manage wills and trusts. The firm also handles Medicaid planning and managing VA benefits. Clients can likewise opt for powers of attorney services to support their legal representation. KC Elder Law has been in operation for over 20 years and regularly educates clients with workshops on asset protection and eldercare.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
William Hammond - Founder and PresidentActive42 yrs

704 SE 3rd St., Lee's Summit, MO 64063
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.0 (5)
Facebook
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Janeece L. Dent-Bennett, P.C., Attorney At Law, caters to the people of Independence. Its owner and sole practitioner, Janeece Dent-Bennett, provides legal directions to clients on matters concerning the probate procedure. She helps family members or nominated executors identify assets and distribute them to the right heirs or beneficiaries. The attorney works with clients from start to finish to completely execute the decedents' final wishes. Bennett also accommodates clients seeking advice for real estate transactions and business affairs. She has been in practice since 1985.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

2900 Brooktree Lane, Suite 100, Gladstone, MO 64119
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.8 (20)

Why choose this provider?

Sexton, Bender, Hill & Steinman, P.C., Attorneys at Law, caters to families and individuals in Independence. The firm offers estate planning and probate services covering trusts, last and living wills, powers of attorney, and beneficiary deeds. Its attorneys also practice family, business, tax, and real estate law. This allows them to facilitate tax minimization and business and real property transactions during the probate process. One of the attorneys, J. Brian Hill, is admitted to the U.S. Tax Court and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.

  • Trusts
  • Wills

201 North Spring Street, Independence, MO 64050

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

The Whipple Law Firm PC offers probate services for estates that need to resolve financial matters so they can be distributed among heirs. This firm is specifically interested in estate litigation, which can often involve scenarios related to the probate process. It pursues compensation on behalf of heirs who feel unfairly compensated per the will, as well as families who want to defend their assets from faulty claims. The Whipple Law Firm PC does estate planning as well.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
David Whipple - PrincipalActive44 yrs

1007 SW Walnut St, Blue Springs, MO 64015
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.6 (36)
Facebook
5.0 (13)

Why choose this provider?

Lighthouse Legal, LLC, creates legal solutions for its clients, including elders and individuals with special needs, in Independence. It helps them administer the probate process by preparing refusal letters and Certificate of Clerk for a Small Estate documents. For high-value estates, it renders supervised or independent administration services. Additionally, it develops avenues, such as living trusts and joint ownership, to avoid probate. Lighthouse Legal gives back to the community by donating to charities like Community Services League and UMKC.

  • Estate Planning
  • Probate Litigation

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Tina Hughes - PrincipalActive19 yrs

1308 Northeast Windsor Drive, Lee's Summit, MO 64086

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.0 (40)

Why choose this provider?

Lund Law Offices, LLC is a law firm serving Independence and the surrounding metros. It specializes in personal estate planning, assisting clients in drafting wills and revocable trusts, as well as creating powers of attorney. Its team of lawyers also provides guidance on the probate process, ensuring that the intents of the estate document are reflected when the assets are divided in court. Its founder, Zach Lund, is backed by a business and legal degree focused on estate planning and probate law.

  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Zachary Lund - PrincipalActive19 yrs

6300 North Revere Drive, Suite 265, Kansas City, MO 64151

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (12)

Why choose this provider?

Moore Legacy Law assists individuals throughout Independence and surrounding areas. The firm deals with legal matters involving will and probate administration, as well as probate litigation. It assists clients in preparing court-required accountings and reports, filing petitions, locating and securing the estate property, disbursing estate proceeds to heirs, and filing final accounts to the court. The firm's principal attorney, Jim Moore, holds over 40 years of judicial and legal experience. He founded the firm in 2014. The firm's attorneys are also admitted to practice in Missouri.

  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration

132 Westwoods Drive, Liberty, MO 64068
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Kirkland, Woods, & Martinsen LLP is a law firm that does probate work for estates left intestate, or that face other will-related issues. The firm's estate planning attorneys near Independence can assist executors with managing assets of the estate, and this practice does both independent and supervised probate administration. It communicates with creditors as well so that debts can be settled and heirs can receive the remaining possessions in each case. Trust administration services are available.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Scott Martinsen - Partner - KSActive31 yrs
Robert Kirkland - Founding PartnerActive41 yrs

601 Oak Street, Lathrop, MO 64465

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
3.9 (7)

Why choose this provider?

Gagnon Law Firm LLC handles probate cases for families that need to resolve their relatives' estates once they've passed away. It accomplishes this through the probate process and informs appointed executors on every aspect of probate and the requirements necessary to dissolve estates so that heirs can collect their inheritances. It manages situations including outstanding debts, will contests, and tax controversies so that assets can be transferred properly and without legal liabilities. Gagnon Law Firm LLC also creates trusts and wills.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Joe Gagnon - Managing AttorneyActive20 yrs

8549 N. Church Rd. Suite B, Kansas City, MO 64157
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.0 (7)

Why choose this provider?

Sanderford Law Office, LLC, caters to individuals and families in Independence and the surrounding areas. The firm helps executors or trustees of decedents with the probate process and trust administration. It also offers estate planning services such as the preparation of last will and financial power of attorney. John Sanderford, the firm's founder, has more than 26 years of experience handling estate planning and administration cases. He belongs to the Probate and Trust Committee of the Missouri Bar Association.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

100 South Independence St, Harrisonville, MO 64701
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.5 (35)
Facebook
4.3 (22)
Yelp
1.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of April McLaughlin, LLC, caters to clients in Independence. The firm provides legal counsel on probate and estate planning matters, including wills and trusts, probate and decedent estates, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and non-probate transfers. McLaughlin established her private practice in 2005. Her deep compassion for the elderly inspired her to specialize in probate, estate planning, family, and real estate law, supporting individuals in protecting their family assets and assisting families after the loss of a loved one.

  • Estate Planning
  • Probate Litigation

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
April Mclaughlin - PrincipalActive20 yrs

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FAQs

  • What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Independence, Missouri?

    For non-emergency matters in Independence, you may call the local police department at 816-325-7300.

  • Are you required to retain an attorney for probate matters in Independence?

    In Independence, you are required to retain a lawyer for most probate matters. According to Missouri’s state laws, you must have an attorney represent you in matters like applying for letters of guardianship and/or conservatorship for an adult or a minor, petitioning to require administration, and filing an affidavit to establish title to distributee.

  • What are your options to file probate documents in Independence if you can’t submit them in person?

    The 16th Circuit Court of Jackson County handles all the probate matters of Independence residents. If you are unable to file the necessary probate documents in person, you may mail the files to the Probate Department at: 308 W. Kansas, Ste 304 Independence MO, 64050 Alternatively, you may fax your probate documents to 816-881-3228 or email the soft copy in PDF format to probate@courts.mo.gov. Make sure that the file size is under 7 MB.

  • Is it possible to avoid probate in Independence?

    Yes. There are instances where one can avoid probate in Independence. If the assets are small enough to fall under Missouri’s small estates limit, the decedent’s beneficiaries can avoid going through the lengthy probate process. The probate process does not apply to assets held in a living trust or assets that pass to designated beneficiaries because they are held in joint tenancy accounts, retirement plans, or life insurance.

  • Does the existence of a will exempt anyone from the probate procedures in Independence?

    No. Assets stated in a will must go through probate in Independence. The local probate court is to supervise the administration of a will after it has been determined to be valid. With the help of the executor of the will, the court ensures that the estate property is distributed based on the wishes of the deceased.

  • Are you supposed to file an estate tax return in Independence?

    Not necessarily. Unless your estate is worth more than $5 million, plus an additional sum linked to inflation yearly, you will not be required to file an estate tax return. This does not mean you are free from paying taxes. You still have to pay creditors and taxes before you can inherit any assets.