Matt works with clients from diverse backgrounds as they encounter various estate-related issues. Matt has over 27 years of experience and his wide-ranging estates practice encompasses planning matters (estate planning, wills, trusts, powers of attorney and related planning arrangements) and estate administration matters (probate administration, trust administration, and litigation related to trusts and probate estates).
In his estate planning work, Matt guides clients through estate planning-related matters such as wealth transfer and preservation issues, business succession planning, charitable planning, and estate tax planning. Matt works with his clients to draft and implement estate plans that fit the client’s financial and family circumstances whether using wills, trusts, powers of attorney, family business entities, charitable trusts, irrevocable trusts or many other tools which may be appropriate for the client situation.
In addition, Matt maintains a very substantial practice representing families and financial institutions dealing with estate administration matters such as probate administration, trust administration, and other estate-related wealth transfer mechanisms. Matt advises clients who hold fiduciary positions (such as trustee, executor, or agent under a power of attorney) through the myriad of processes and issues found in such roles and procedural matters. Matt also represents heirs in trust administration and probate court proceedings.
Matt has also developed a strong reputation as counsel for clients in trust and probate-related litigation. Each case is unique and the issues can be complex. Matt utilizes his estate planning and administration experience when representing clients confronting litigation of such matters. Matt’s experience and knowledge in estate planning, estate and trust administration, and litigation of such matters is also utilized by other attorneys when he is engaged as an expert witness in litigation regarding contested estate and trust matters.
BAR ADMISSIONS
- Kansas Bar, 1998
- Missouri Bar, 1999
EDUCATION
- University of Kansas; B.S., 1994; M.B.A, 1997; Juris Doctor, 1997
HONORS AND CIVIC INVOLVEMENT
- Fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC)
- The Best Lawyers in America®, 2013-present
- Missouri/Kansas Super Lawyers, 2022-Present
- Martindale-Hubbell® "AV" Rating
- LMH Health Foundation (f/k/a Lawrence Memorial Hospital Foundation) Board of Directors: 2010-2016; 2020-Present.
- Children's Mercy Hospital Donald H. Chisholm Planned Giving Council, 2010-present
- Douglas County Estate Planning Council, 1998-Present. President, 2002
- Lawrence, KS Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors; Chair, 2010
- University of Kansas School of Law CALI Award for Excellence in Taxation, 1996
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- Kansas Bar Association, Member, Real Property, Probate and Trust Section; Corporate and Banking Law Section
- Douglas County Kansas Bar Association
- The Missouri Bar
PUBLICATIONS
- Annual Probate Law Update. Kansas Bar Association. Co-Author. 2014-Present.
- Kansas Real Estate Practice and Procedure Chapter 5, Residential Landlord and Tenant Law. Kansas Bar Association. Author. 2009.
- Kansas Real Estate Practice and Procedure Chapter 11, Commercial Real Estate Leases in Kansas. Kansas Bar Association. Author. 2009.
- Long Term Care Handbook Chapter 1, Planning For Incapacity. Kansas Bar Association. Co-author. 2008. Supplement, 2009.
- Advising the Elderly. Chapter 7. Planning for Real Property, Including the Residence. Thomson West. Author. 2008-Present.
- Powerful Powers Under the Kansas Powers of Attorney Act. Journal of the Kansas Bar Association. Author. June, 2005.
CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION PRESENTATIONS
- Kansas Bar Association - Elder Law, Tax Law, and Real Estate, Probate and Trust Sections. Lawlawpalooza. Salina, Kansas. September, 2024. Planning Under the Kansas Uniform Directed Trust Act and Kansas Trust Decanting Act.
- American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, Mo-Kan-Neb Conference, Kansas City, Missouri. December, 2022. “Who’s the Boss - Kansas Uniform Directed Trust Act” presented to ACTEC Fellows.
- University of Kansas, School of Law. Adjunct Professor Business Planning Seminar, a for 3-hour credit course. Taught two semesters of Business Planning Seminar to University of Kansas Law Students who are in their final semester of law school. The Business Planning Seminar is considered a “capstone” course bringing together the prerequisite business association, taxation, and securities courses. Lawrence, Kansas. 2014-2024.
- Kansas Bar Association – KBA Agriculture Law Committee. Presented to Attorneys. Estate Planning and Agriculture. Manhattan, Kansas. November, 2014.
- Kansas Bar Association. Presented to Attorneys. Contested Guardianship/Probate. Topeka, Kansas. October, 2012.
- Wichita Estate Planning Council. Presented to Attorneys and estate planning professionals. Probate and Trust Litigation. Wichita, Kansas. November, 2012.
- Kansas Bar Association. Presented to Attorneys. Litigation in Guardianships, Conservatorships, Probate and Trust Administration. Telephone CLE, 2010.
- Kansas Bar Association Elder Law CLE. Presented to Attorneys. Guardian, Conservatorship and Powers of Attorney Update. Junction City, Kansas. November, 2009.
- Kansas Bar Association Annual Meeting. Presented to Attorneys. Drafting and Using Powers of Attorney in Kansas. June, 2006.
- Kansas Legal Services. Presented to Attorneys. Drafting and Using Powers of Attorney in Kansas. Overland Park, Kansas. May, 2006.
- Douglas County Estate Planning Council. Presented to Attorneys and Estate Planning Professionals. Powerful Powers Under Kansas Power of Attorney Act. Lawrence, Kansas. March, 2006.
- Kansas Bar Association. Presented to Attorneys. Powers of Attorney in Kansas. Telephone CLE, April, 2005.
- Western Kansas Estate Planning Council. Presented to Attorneys and Estate Planning Professionals. Kansas Powers of Attorney. November, 2005. Hays, Kansas.
- Kansas Bar Association. Presented to recently admitted Attorneys. Basic Estate Planning and Will Drafting. Overland Park, Kansas. 2003.