Kansas City's Real Estate and Estate Planning Attorney

Eric Ziegenhorn, P.C.

When a person is laying the groundwork for a real estate transaction, one of the first things they do is look around for a law firm experienced in successfully handling similar matters. They want lawyers with not only a thorough understanding of the letter of the law, but of the nuances of financing, the real estate market, negotiations, title review, loan closings and other important aspects and details of complex transactions.

As a small firm practitioner with extensive experience in real estate transactions, I provide sophisticated real estate work typical of a large firm — at reasonable rates. To schedule an appointment, please call 816-531-6300. You can also contact me by e-mail.

A little about my background

I've worked with large firms and as in-house counsel to a commercial real estate lending company. As a result, I have substantial knowledge of how to negotiate effectively with large lenders. I have also written widely used form books covering Missouri real estate transactions, building and construction agreements, deeds, real estate financing and estate planning instruments.
Please use this link to read more about my background.

My practice includes the Kansas City metro area, but it extends nationwide. I serve clients involved in a wide range of transactions, including the following:

Estate Planning Services

I am also pleased to offer estate planning services. In my experience, many estate planning attorneys tend to overuse "living trusts" (technically, revocable inter vivos trusts), which allow the attorney to charge high legal fees for complex estate planning instruments that are often inappropriate for the needs of their clients:

"Many people are pushed or scared into creating "living trusts" (with pour over wills) by attorney-run trust mills, which are not appropriate for their age, needs or income levels. These lay people are frightened by exaggerated reports of probate costs and threats of invasion of privacy, and they are usually not adequately informed of other nonprobate solutions, such as beneficiary deeds. Disadvantages of living trusts, as opposed to simple wills, include much higher initial costs and attorney fees, the burden of re-titling all existing and all newly acquired assets in the name of trust, and the problem of client noncompliance with continued titling requirements." Ziegenhorn, 6A Mo.Prac. 3d § 19:9.

My clients are typically middle class individuals or couples with estates that do not need tax planning. Often their main motivation for preparing a Will is to name a guardian for their minor children, or to ensure that they have a Living Will and Powers of Attorney in place in the event of their disability. I am pleased to offer flat fee estate planning packages, from $400 to $750, which include:

• Last Will & Testament,
• Durable Power of Attorney (financial),
• Durable Power of Attorney to Make Medical Decisions, and
• Living Will.

The flat fee package also includes assistance with avoiding probate by re-titling assets, joint accounts, transfer on death (TOD) deeds and payable on death (POD) accounts. It also includes (if desired) a simple testamentary trust for the benefit of minor children.

Please call my office for a quote.

To schedule an appointment to discuss how I can provide you cost-effective legal assistance, call me at 816-531-6300. You can also contact me by e-mail.

Eric Ziegenhorn, P.C.
215 W. 18th St.
Kansas City, MO 64108-1204
Telephone: 816-531-6300
eric@ehz-law.com
Map and Directions 

Eric Ziegenhorn, P.C., serves clients in the Kansas City metropolitan region, including Overland Park, Independence, Lee's Summit, North Kansas City, Shawnee and Lenexa. His firm also serves other communities in Wyandotte County and Johnson County, Kansas; Clay County, Platte County, Jackson County and Cass County, Missouri.