DT | Planning To Save Your Sanity - Finances and Empowered Aging

Planning to Save Your Sanity - A brief introduction into "everything" you need to know about Estate planning and elder law.

Central Exchange member Katie Dixon is hosting a panel of estate and elder law attorneys David Barry and Maureen Lester. We will take the seemingly confusing topic of estate and elder law and break it down into understandable, relevant topics.

We are going to cover topics such as: introduction into estate and elder law, how do you talk about this with loved ones, changes in legislation and how they impact you.

Who should come? Anyone who has ever had a question about estate planning and what it means.

Your panel: 

David Barry
David J. Barry established Barry Law, LLC with the primary aim of helping families protect assets, preserve harmony and build a legacy through effective and customized estate plans.
David believes the most important ingredient in any estate plan is ensuring that your voice is heard in the planning process. David offers a client-centered approach to estate planning by taking the time to learn about each family and delivering a plan that incorporates effective solutions to meet the family’s needs.

David attended Washburn University in Topeka and graduated with a B.A. in English in 1988. While there, he was an active leader on campus serving as Editor of the Washburn Review and president of his fraternity, Phi Delta Theta.  David earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Kansas School of Law in 1997.

David is a life-long resident of Shawnee, Kansas where he is active in his church and community. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He supports the Boy Scouts of America and has served on scouting committees and as an Assistant Scout Master. He is also a past board member for the Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired. David and his wife Jenifer have been married for twenty-one years and have two boys and two girls. He enjoys spending time in the outdoors especially camping with family and friends. David loves listening to music and playing the guitar.

David is licensed to practice in both Kansas and Missouri.

 

Maureen D. Lester

Attorney Profile for Van Osdol, P.C. 

Maureen practices primarily in the field of elder law. She realized her passion for elder law when she experienced with her own grandmother the challenges of aging and dementia.  Maureen assists clients with planning for the realities that arise with aging and the need for long-term care.

One such reality is the financial impact of long-term care, which often includes applying for Medicaid and other public benefits, such as those through Social Security and the Veterans Administration. For younger family members, Maureen provides estate planning and special needs planning for people of all ages.

After graduating from the Mizzou College of Business, Maureen worked for a short time in the insurance industry before attending law school. Upon graduating from UMKC in 2014 with her Juris Doctor, Maureen immediately began practicing in the field of elder law.

Maureen is an active member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) and serves on the Board of Directors for both the Kansas Chapter and Missouri Chapter of NAELA. She is also active in the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association and the Kansas City chapter of the Association of Women Lawyers.

 

Katie Dixon

People who find value in my project-management-based process want a compassionate teammate to personalize a comprehensive financial strategy based on what is important to them. I focus on educating clients, which appeals to investors who want a relaxed, yet professional approach to the world of finances.

My compassionate, educational approach also allows me to focus on working with adult children with aging parents.
I have an undergraduate degree in chemistry from Park University. With my background in chemistry, I previously worked quality control for an oil pipeline. Although I joined Edward Jones in 2017, I remain passionate about the STEM field, because of the values it taught me.
I'm active in the American Chemical Society and the Central Exchange. I also volunteer in local community elections because I have vested interest in my community's future.
My son, Quentin, and I have lived in the Johnson County area for 7 years. We spend our free time chasing our three dogs around, watching movies and being active. I attend a local CrossFit gym 6 days a week and think live music is better!