Best Lawyers in Missouri, United States for Trusts and Estates

Joseph Demko is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Joseph practices law in Clayton, Missouri Best Lawyers has recognized Joseph Demko since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Joseph Demko is held by other lawyers.

Bridget Nave is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Trusts and Estates. Bridget practices law in St. Louis, Missouri Best Lawyers has recognized Bridget Nave since 2021. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Bridget Nave is held by other lawyers.

Lawrence Brody retired as an Adjunct Professor at Washington University School of Law, after fifty years of teaching Estate Planning and Drafting. He is a visiting Adjunct Professor at the University of Miami Law School, teaching a course on Life Insurance. Mr. Brody is the author or co-author of numerous articles and books on the use of life insurance in estate and employee benefit planning, including two BNA Tax Management Portfolios, two books for the National Underwriter Company, and a nu...

Daniel P. Wheeler is a partner with the firm of Kembell Woods & Martinsen LLP. Mr. Wheeler focuses his practice on fiduciary litigation, probate administration, adult and minor guardianships, and mediation in cases throughout Missouri and Kansas. Mr. Wheeler served as a Probate Commissioner for the Circuit Court of Jackson County, Missouri for more than fourteen years. As Probate Commissioner, he presided over family and fiduciary disputes in trust and probate matters, including fiduciary...

Donald Paule has extensive experience representing closely-held businesses and not-for-profit organizations. He advises clients on all aspects of the organization and operation of the client’s business including complex sale, financing, mergers and acquisitions, and real estate development transactions. In addition, an extensive portion of his practice is devoted to tax and estate planning matters for individuals, and business owners, including ownership succession planning.

Emily Kembell is a partner in the law firm of Kembell Woods & Martinsen LLP. Ms. Kembell focuses her practice on estate planning of all types, trust and probate administration, transfer tax planning, issues relating to business succession planning, and adult and minor guardianships. Emily is a Fellow in the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. Prior to joining KWM, Ms. Kembell served as Chief Regional Administrative Officer and Trust Counsel in the Springfield office of a regiona...

Kathleen W. Bilderback is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Corporate Law and Trusts and Estates. Kathleen W. practices law in Clayton, Missouri Best Lawyers has recognized Kathleen W. Bilderback since 2020. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects t...

Edward F. Reilly is a Member of Muhm & Reilly, LLC. He received a B.A. degree from the University of Illinois in 1975, a J.D. degree from Washington University in Saint Louis in 1978, and an LL.M. degree (Taxation) from Washington University in Saint Louis in 1986. Mr. Reilly is an Adjunct Professor in the LL.M. program at Washington University School of Law, a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and is an Articles Editor for The Tax Lawyer. He is admitted to practi...

Stephen Daiker focuses his practice on estate, gift and income tax planning for high net-worth individuals, charitable planned giving, and succession planning for owners of privately-held businesses. He is a frequent speaker on these topics and has written articles for numerous publications, including Taxation for Accountants, taxation for Lawyers, The Florida Bar Journal, The Journal of the Missouri Bar, The Journal of Financial Planning, and the Tax Management Journal of Estates, Gifts and ...

Christopher Castellanos is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Trusts and Estates. Christopher practices law in St. Louis, Missouri Best Lawyers has recognized Christopher Castellanos since 2027. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Christopher Castellanos is held by other lawyers.

Betty Schaefer draws on not only her significant knowledge of the St. Louis County Probate Division, where she served as legal counsel, but also her considerable experience in private practice to craft arguments that resonate in probate court. Her deep understanding of the probate and trust codes allows her to guide clients through administration and disputes with efficiency and precision. Betty assists clients with estate and trust administration, trust funding, guardianships, and estate pla...

Rochelle B. Falk is an attorney with over 25 years’ experience in the Estate Planning & Probate legal industry. Clients rely on Rochelle to have in-depth and meaningful discussions about their personal situation and assets to create individual, comprehensive, and flexible estate plans by utilizing trusts, wills and power of attorney documents. Additionally, Rochelle counsels’ clients as trustees and beneficiaries during the administration of trust and probate estates, as well ...

John Challis is the Managing Partner at Kembell Woods & Martinsen, where he advocates for individuals and businesses in a wide range of contested matters. With a focus on fiduciary litigation and administration, John is recognized for delivering outstanding results for his clients through negotiation, mediation, and litigation. ​He counsels clients on fiduciary relationships, disputed administration, will and trust contests, and asset transfer disputes, drawing on substantial trial and ap...

Bob Kirkland is a founding partner of Kirkland Hochstetler PLLC and practices in Kansas City, Missouri. He is licensed to practice law in Missouri, Kansas and Florida. Mr. Kirkland represents individuals, families, and fiduciaries in a wide range of trusts and estates matters, including estate planning, trust formation, and estate and trust administration. His work includes the preparation of wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, durable powers of attorney, charitable trusts, and trusts fo...

Matthew J. Madsen’s practice includes the representation of affluent private clients in the structure and implementation of complex estate and wealth transfer planning strategies, estate and trust administration and litigation, and audits of gift and estate tax returns. Mr. Madsen advises private clients on their charitable giving strategies, ranging from charitable pledge agreements, donor-advised funds, supporting organizations to private foundations. Mr. Madsen similarly advises tax-...

Jacque Albus is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Corporate Law and Trusts and Estates. Jacque practices law in St. Louis, Missouri Best Lawyers has recognized Jacque Albus since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Jacque Albus is held by other lawyers.