About Our Firm

Our firm handles legal matters in the following practice areas: Tax, Bankruptcy, IRS Audits, Tax Controversies, Unfiled Returns, Negotiating Settlements, Tax Planning, Business Planning, Trust and Estates, Asset Protection, Estate Planning, Wills and Probate, Divorce & Family Law, Juvenile Law, Criminal Law, Driving Under the Influence and Traffic Citations..

Taxation
We provide a broad range of tax services to clients. Tax planning for individuals and for businesses is vitally important in our current economy. A small amount expended for tax planning, both in money and time, can yield good results.

We handle both federal and state tax controversies. We have handled audits for many clients both at the state and federal levels. We assist clients with offers in compromise, installment agreements, audits, administrative appeals, and tax court. We are experienced in dealing with the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Revenue for both Kansas and Missouri .

Often unpaid tax debts can be reduced or eliminated through bankruptcy. Because we handle both tax and bankruptcy issues we are uniquely situated to provide comprehensive advice to reduce or eliminate unpaid tax liabilities.

Bankruptcy
Changes in the bankruptcy law have discouraged many people from seeking advice about bankruptcy. The truth is that the vast majority of people considering bankruptcy will be minimally affected by these changes. Often bankruptcy is the most effective way for people with unpaid tax libilities to deal with the Internal Revenue Service and get a "fresh start."

Business Law
We help our clients select and establish the best legal entity to form their business. Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), C Corporations and S Corporations have subtle differences that many people, including attorneys, gloss over. These subtle differences can have huge financial and tax consequences. We help clients navigate the details to make fully informed and wise choices. We also assist clients in all aspects of tax planning related to the operation, purchase and sale of their businesses. Our background in accounting, business, taxation, contracts and banking provide different perspectives when examining a client's situation.

Wills and Trusts
The vast majority of people living in Kansas and Missouri need nothing more than a simple will or trust, together with ancillary documents (such as powers of attorney, and living wills) to adequately handle their affairs. Unfortunately, the vast majority of people do not even have those simple documents.

Most of the time, we work with clients to try to avoid probate as much as possible. When clients have a probate estate, we work with them to provide efficient administration of estates.  We pride ourselves in providing excellent representation for clients who have taxable estates.

Estate Planning
Estate taxes can be reduced or eliminated with proper planning. The most effective estate planning is a long-term process. We have implemented plans involving family partnerships, sales to defective grantor trusts, private annuities, gifting programs, charitable remainder trusts, charitable lead trusts, installment sales, and self-canceling notes.

Asset Protection
Asset protection is important in many contexts. For businesses, we structure legal arrangements to protect owners and other business assets. Sometimes that is as simple as a vanilla corporation and sometimes it becomes complex with holding companies, operating companies and other entities to hold or manage assets.

For other individuals, asset protection means protecting some of their assets from the spend down requirements of Medicaid or other government programs. We provide these services to clients as well.

Probate Law
We handle all types of probate matters.

Like-Kind Exchanges
We provide a broad range of services in connection with real estate transactions. We can help you structure a land sale as a tax-free exchange (forward, reverse and build-to-suit exchanges). If your goal is to preserve capital gain treatment on your land sale, we can also help you accomplish that goal.

Divorce / Family Law
Our firm provides services in all aspects of family law.  We work diligently to protect your family and assets by providing the following services;
Divorce
Child Custody
Child Support and Maintenance
Paternity
Protection Orders

Juvenile Law
Our firm provides services in all aspects of juvenile law.  Has your child been arrested?  Has your child been charged with truancy?  Is the State seeking to terminate your parental rights?  As a former Johnson County Juvenile Prosecutor, Kristen Shelley has the knowledge and experience that you and your child need.

Criminal Law
Our firm provides services in all aspects of criminal law.  If you or someone you care about has been charged with a crime, our firm can assist you.  As a Johnson County Criminal Prosecutor, Kristen Shelley has handled virtually all types of criminal cases and is an experienced and aggressive trial attorney.  Whether a simple misdemeanor or a complex felony, our firm can assist you.

Driving Under the Influence and Traffic Citations
Our firm can assist you with all aspects of DUI and traffic law.  Felony and misdemeanor; criminal and administrative hearings.  Let us help you protect your driving privileges.  If you or someone you care about have been arrested or charged with a DUI, call immediately.  Critical paperwork to protect your driving privileges must be filed within 10 days of your arrest or citation.