Elder Law Attorney in Lee’s Summit, MO
Trust the Elder Law Attorneys at Paths

At Paths Law Firm, we understand the complex and deeply personal legal needs that arise as families age.
Whether you are navigating long-term care planning or already facing an urgent decision, our elder law attorneys in Lee’s Summit, MO, are here to guide you with clarity, compassion, and decades of experience.
Whether you are navigating long-term care planning or already facing an urgent decision, our elder law attorneys in Lee’s Summit, MO, are here to guide you with clarity, compassion, and decades of experience.
We believe that the aging process should be supported with dignity, respect, and strategic legal planning.
Our team specializes in the unique aspects of elder law, including Medicaid planning and estate planning, trust administration, and veterans’ benefits. Every client receives personalized attention.
Our mission is to help Missouri families protect assets, ensure proper care, and reduce legal stress during life transitions.

Why You Need an Elder Law Attorney in Lee’s Summit
The rising cost of long-term care in Missouri makes it critical for families to plan ahead. According to the Genworth 2024 Cost of Care Survey:
- The average monthly cost for a semi-private nursing home room in Missouri is $6,357
- A private room costs even more, averaging $7,148 per month
Without strategic legal planning, many families may find themselves paying out of pocket, quickly exhausting savings intended for retirement, social security, inheritance, or emergencies.
Hiring an elder law attorney ensures that you or your loved ones are not left vulnerable to the financial impact of aging or unforeseen medical issues. — and gives you access to experienced legal counsel for crucial decisions. We can help you:
- Prepare for long-term care expenses
- Protect family assets
- Reduce legal stress during health crises
Local Stats for Lee's Summit
- Growth of Senior Population: Lee’s Summit’s population aged 65 and older has risen 39.6% since the 2010 Census. This surge highlights the increasing need for elder-focused legal services.
- Multigenerational Households: 1.4% of households in Lee’s Summit are multigenerational. That means grandparents, children, and possibly grandchildren live under one roof. Planning for shared housing, joint property ownership, or family trusts becomes more essential in these complex family dynamics.
- Seniors with Disabilities: Roughly 5% of people aged 65 and older in Lee’s Summit live with some form of disability. That number jumps to 7.3% among those aged 75 and older. This data underscores the need for power of attorney, guardianship arrangements, and professional senior care placement.


Our Full Range of Elder Law Services
We have a wide range of expertise in Elder Law, which includes the following:
Navigating long‑term care can be both emotionally and financially challenging. Our Medicaid Planning service helps Lee’s Summit families protect assets and secure access to nursing home or in‑home support through Missouri Medicaid (MO HealthNet).
We assist with every step—from eligibility analysis to application submission.
Our team prepares required documents, including income verification, spousal impoverishment calculations, and asset-spending strategies or transfers timed to avoid Medicaid’s five‑year look‑back penalties.
We also guide families on creating Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts to shelter non‑exempt assets while preserving eligibility.
If you’re already in a nursing home, we assist with crisis Medicaid planning to classify assets appropriately and expedite care coverage.
Our goal is to reduce financial stress, protect your loved one’s home and legacy, and help you qualify for care at the earliest responsible date.
Secure your legacy—and simplify legal matters for your loved ones—with tailored Wills and Trusts in Lee’s Summit. Our experienced attorneys specialize in creating comprehensive estate plans designed to avoid probate, ensure clear asset distribution, and minimize tax liabilities.
We prepare revocable living trusts, family protection trusts to shield assets from creditor claims or divorce, and blended-family trusts to address complex family dynamics.
We help clients choose between wills-only or trust-centered strategies based on their personal goals. Additionally, we draft clear instructions for executor roles, guardianship of minors, and special concerns like business succession or farm holdings .
Our attorneys also provide annual or life-event-based reviews to ensure your documents stay current with changes in assets, laws, or family circumstances . With precision and compassion, we provide clarity and control for your family’s future.
A Special Needs Trust (SNT) is a critical tool for families who want to provide for a loved one with disabilities without jeopardizing their eligibility for public assistance programs like Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). At Paths Law Firm, we craft first-party and third-party SNTs tailored to your situation.
We ensure that the trust meets Missouri and federal guidelines so that your family member can continue to receive housing, healthcare, and financial assistance while benefiting from additional private resources.
Funds from the trust can be used for quality-of-life expenses such as education, entertainment, specialized equipment, and personal care.
We also coordinate with other professionals—such as financial advisors and care managers—to ensure a comprehensive plan that supports long-term well-being. Our team walks you through every step, including trustee selection, document drafting, and court approval if needed. You’re not just protecting assets; you’re protecting a life.
Protecting what you’ve built is a key part of forward-thinking elder law. Our Asset Protection service in Lee’s Summit leverages strategies like Domestic Asset Protection Trusts, irrevocable trusts, limited liability entities (LLCs), gifting programs, and exempt assets planning to safeguard wealth from nursing home costs, creditors, or estate delays.
Whether your assets include real estate, business ownership, investments, or inheritance, we design a plan tailored to your unique structure—minimizing exposure while preserving access.
Our attorneys also integrate asset protection planning with Medicaid qualification strategies, aligning timing and asset design with eligibility rules.
Unlike reactive solutions, we emphasize proactive protection, establishing shields before long‑term care is needed. This ensures financial security for your spouse, children, and future generations.
Estate planning is more than just creating a will; it’s about crafting a legal and financial blueprint for the future.
At Paths Law Firm, we offer holistic estate planning services that encompass wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and HIPAA authorizations.
Each element of your plan works together to ensure your wishes are honored if you become incapacitated or pass away.
In Lee’s Summit, we see many families who delay estate planning because they believe it’s only for the wealthy. The truth is, every adult can benefit from having a plan in place.
We guide you through tough conversations about end-of-life care, guardianship for minor children, and asset distribution.
Our estate plans are designed to minimize family conflict, avoid probate where possible, and provide tax-efficient asset transfers.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or updating old documents, we make the process easy, respectful, and legally sound.
Veterans and surviving spouses in Lee’s Summit deserve full access to Aid & Attendance and other VA benefits.
We guide you through eligibility screening, application preparation, claims submission, and appeals—taking on the administrative burden and helping veterans maximize monthly pension payments (often over $2,000).
We calculate aid coordination with Medicaid & Medicare to enhance long-term care affordability.
Our team gathers required documentation—service records, medical assessments, financial disclosures—and submits clean, detail‑oriented applications that stand up to VA scrutiny .
We also appeal denials and pursue retroactive payments for months the veteran qualified but didn’t receive benefits.
This dual-focus planning honors your service with financial support for in‑home care, assisted living, or skilled nursing care—while preserving your estate for loved ones.
Finding the right senior care facility is one of the most difficult decisions a family can face.
Whether your loved one needs assisted living, memory care, or full-time skilled nursing, our elder law team provides expert placement assistance. We don’t just refer you to facilities; we consider financial, legal, and medical factors to find the best fit.
Our attorneys work closely with care coordinators, social workers, and financial advisors to develop a full placement plan.
We also ensure that your chosen care option won’t jeopardize eligibility for Medicaid or VA benefits. Many families don’t realize that timing, payments, and contracts can affect long-term financial stability.
By engaging us early, you benefit from a seamless transition, reduced out-of-pocket costs, and peace of mind that your loved one is safe and well cared for. Our placement services are part of our commitment to providing holistic elder law solutions.
Power of Attorney (POA) are essential legal documents that allow someone you trust to act on your behalf if you become incapacitated.
In Lee’s Summit, we help clients create both financial and healthcare POAs that comply with Missouri law. These documents give peace of mind and prevent the need for court-appointed guardianship.
We explain the different types of POAs—including durable, springing, and limited—and help you choose an agent who understands your values.
We also include HIPAA authorizations to ensure your healthcare agent can access important medical records.
Without a valid POA, your family may face delays and legal expenses to gain decision-making authority. We help you avoid these pitfalls by creating clear, enforceable documents that reflect your wishes.
Our POAs work hand-in-hand with your overall estate plan, providing complete legal coverage for any stage of life.
Reasons To Choose Paths Law Firm
- Over 40 Years of Combined Experience
- Focused Exclusively on Elder Law & Estate Planning
- Personalized, Neighborly Service in Lee’s Summit
- We Help Families Plan with Clarity and Confidence
- 5-Star Rating on Google










Get Started With the Lee's Summit Elder Law Attorneys You Can Trust
Your family’s future deserves protection. Paths Law Firm is ready to guide you with warmth, clarity, and legal expertise. Give us a call, stop by, or fill out the form below to get started.
Address: 5008 NE Lakewood Way, Lee’s Summit, MO 64064
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