Secure Your Legacy with Trusted Estate Planning

Over 30 years of experience protecting assets in the Greater Kansas City area

At Paths Law Firm, we understand your estate plan is about more than just creating a pile of documents—it’s about protecting your family’s future and preserving your legacy. For over three decades, we’ve helped families in the Greater Kansas City area create comprehensive estate plans tailored to their unique needs and wishes.

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We KNOW Estate Planning

Estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy—it’s an essential step for anyone who wants to:

Protect Your Assets and Loved Ones: Ensure your hard-earned assets are distributed according to your wishes.
Minimize Taxes and Avoid Probate: Save your family time, money, and stress during an already difficult time.
Ensure Your Healthcare Wishes are Respected: Make your medical preferences known and legally binding.
Gain Peace of Mind: Rest easy knowing your affairs are in order and your family is protected.

Why Choose Paths Law Firm

When it comes to planning your estate and protecting your assets, experience matters. Here's why families in Greater Kansas City have trusted us for over 30 years:

With over 30 years focused solely on estate planning, it seems we’ve seen and solved it all.

We create customized plans that fit your unique family dynamics and financial situation.

Our deep understanding of Kansas and Missouri laws ensures your plan is fully compliant and effective.

We listen to your concerns and guide you through every step of the process.

What Our Clients Have to Say

I have referred a number of my Medicare and Financial clients to Paths Elder Law. Their holistic approach to meeting clients estate planning needs is unparalleled and the pricing is extremely reasonable for the level of service provided, both before and after the work is done. Many of my clients have told me that Mr. Fracassa and his team have given them the best attorney experience they've ever had.

- Mark S .

I had Rusty set up a will and do some estate planning. He was very easy to work with and extremely professional. His many years of experience in this field of work was definitely something that I appreciated. He was able to educated me on many things I had never thought of just in case the worst ever did happen. I can now rest easy knowing my family and business will be protected should I pass.

- Luke P .

Paths for Elder Care "saved my bacon", both economically and emotionally. If you've ever had to deal with the VA, you will understand. Rusty and Shane helped my stepdad obtain Aid & Attendance that I doubt I could have done on my own. They went above and beyond, were very patient with a legal illiterate, and were well worth the fee. Thanks!

- David P .

Rusty has been a personal friend for many years but when he started handling our legal matters, we realized just what a God-send he is. He is knowledgeable, but always takes the time to find out about us before getting into business talk. By doing that, he is able to meet the needs we may not even know we have. In addition to his legal help, he has built a very capable team that has expertise in Elder Care as a whole. Highly recommend.

- Debbie W .

When my mother was suddenly disabled by illness, Rusty made it possible for us to find her long term care while saving my father’s financial stability by his rapid work in establishing his trust. This preserved my father’s ability to live his life and not be financially devastated by the Medicaid system. We deeply appreciate the hard work by Rusty and the staff of Paths for Elder Care.

- George U .

The service I most appreciated was the love and compassion we received during a very hard time in my life. Russell took charge and talked me through everything I needed to do to make it run smooth. I am very confident if we would not have had Russell do our mother’s trust before she passed away, we would still be dealing with it 4 years later. If you don’t use them, I promise you are missing out.

- Leslie L .

We have been customers of Russell for several years. He has done an excellent job of helping us with our Trust as well as other matters. We can always count on his office to be there when we have a question. Navigating through the legal ins and outs of aging is daunting and I am so glad we didn't have to do it alone.

- Linda D .

Rusty was great to explain and work with us. We appreciated his honesty and he's a Christian! Rusty has gone "above and beyond" to help us on a problem. May I tell you how grateful we are to him for his advice and concern - a blessing!

- Lvonne G .

Comprehensive Elder Law Solutions

At Paths Law Firm, we offer a comprehensive range of estate planning services tailored to your unique needs. Our experienced attorneys will guide you through each aspect of your estate plan, ensuring your wishes are honored and your loved ones are protected.

Last Will and Testament: Clearly state how you want your assets distributed
Revocable Living Trusts: Manage your assets during your lifetime and avoid probate
Irrevocable Trusts: Protect assets from creditors, including nursing homes, and reduce estate taxes
Special Needs Trusts: Provide for loved ones with disabilities without jeopardizing government benefits
Charitable Trusts: Leave a lasting legacy while potentially reducing taxes

Durable Power of Attorney: Appoint someone to manage your financial affairs if you’re unable
Limited Power of Attorney: Grant specific powers for particular transactions or time periods
Springing Power of Attorney: Becomes effective only under certain circumstances, like incapacity

Living Will: Specify your wishes for end-of-life medical care
Healthcare Power of Attorney: Designate someone to make medical decisions on your behalf
HIPAA Authorization: Ensure your designated representatives have access to your medical information

Family Limited Partnerships: Protect family assets while maintaining control
Domestic Asset Protection Trusts: Shield assets from future creditors
Gifting Strategies: Reduce estate taxes through strategic gifting
Business Succession Planning: Ensure smooth transition of your business to the next generation

Special Needs Trusts: Provide for loved ones with disabilities without disqualifying them from government benefits
ABLE Accounts: Tax-advantaged savings accounts for individuals with disabilities
Guardianship Planning: Ensure continued care and decision-making for dependent adult children

Credit Shelter Trusts: Maximize estate tax exemptions for married couples
Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts: Keep life insurance proceeds out of your taxable estate
Qualified Personal Residence Trusts: Remove your home’s future appreciation from your taxable estate
Charitable Remainder Trusts: Support your favorite causes while potentially reducing taxes

Probate Assistance: Guide executors through the probate process
Trust Administration: Help trustees understand and fulfill their fiduciary duties
Estate Settlement: Efficiently settle estates and distribute assets to beneficiaries

Our team at Paths Law Firm is committed to creating a comprehensive estate plan that reflects your wishes and protects your legacy. We'll work closely with you to understand your unique situation and craft solutions that give you and your loved ones peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Estate Planning Questions

Estate planning is the process of organizing and planning for the distribution of your assets after your passing. It helps ensure your wishes are respected, minimizes taxes, and can help prevent family disputes.

Estate planning is the process of providing for management of your assets and personal care both during life and after passing, ensuring your wishes are honored, assets are protected, minimizing taxes, and preparing for potential incapacity.

A comprehensive estate plan typically includes a will, power of attorney, healthcare directive (or living will), and possibly a trust. Each document serves a different purpose in managing your assets and healthcare decisions.

Without an estate plan, state laws dictate how your assets are distributed, which may not align with your wishes. This can lead to lengthy court processes, increased taxes, and added stress for loved ones.

Without an estate plan, state laws dictate who inherits your assets and who’s in charge, which may conflict with your wishes, leading to lengthy court processes, higher taxes, and added stress for loved ones.

A will is a legal document that outlines how you want your assets distributed, while a trust is an arrangement that allows a third party, or trustee, to manage assets on behalf of beneficiaries. Trusts can offer greater control, privacy, and tax benefits.

A will specifies your wishes for assets passing through probate, overriding state distribution laws. A trust, however, lets a trustee manage assets directly for beneficiaries, often offering more control, privacy, and tax advantages outside probate.

It’s wise to review and update your estate plan every few years or after major life changes, such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or significant changes in assets.

We recommend reviewing your estate plan every few years or after a major change or event, such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or significant changes in assets.

Your executor or trustee should be someone you trust to carry out your wishes. Other suggested characteristics are that they are organized and reliable. They could be a family member, friend, or a professional, depending on the complexity of your estate or the availability of good choices.

A power of attorney grants someone the legal authority to make financial or healthcare decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. It ensures your affairs are managed according to your wishes, even if you can’t communicate them.

Proper estate planning strategies, like use of life insurance, strategic gifting, and using charities can reduce estate and inheritance taxes. Advanced use of charitable contributions can also allow more of your assets to pass to your beneficiaries.

Yes, estate planning isn’t only about wealth. It also covers healthcare wishes, guardianship for minor children, and other decisions that ensure your values and preferences are honored.

Start by consulting with an experienced estate planning attorney who can guide you through assessing your assets, understanding your goals, and drafting the necessary documents to secure your legacy.

You don't have to navigate this complex journey alone. Let Paths Law Firm be your trusted guide in securing the best possible financial future for you and your loved ones.