At Elder Law Guidance, we help Richmond families create estate plans that work in real life, not just on paper. Our goal is to give you the confidence to know that your wishes will be followed and that your loved ones are protected, without unnecessary court delays or confusion.
In Richmond, most families’ largest asset is their home. With a median home value of around $258,000, estate planning makes sure that property passes smoothly without being tied up in the Madison County Probate Division.
For families with aging parents, we also coordinate plans with local care partners like St. Andrews Retirement Community and Arcadian Cove, so healthcare wishes and finances stay aligned, all with the compassionate, no-pressure guidance our clients have come to trust.
What Is Estate Planning and Why It Matters in Madison County
Estate planning is the process of legally organizing your affairs so that your property, finances, and healthcare wishes are carried out according to your intent. It typically includes documents such as a will, trust, power of attorney, and living will, each serving a specific purpose in protecting your assets and guiding family decisions.
In Madison County, estate planning is particularly important because all probate matters are handled through the Madison County Probate Division at 101 West Main Street. Without a clear plan, families often face delays and expenses as assets move through the local court system.
Estate planning also matters because of homeownership patterns in Richmond. Real estate is the most valuable asset for many local families. Planning ahead makes sure those homes transfer efficiently, avoiding disputes and unnecessary court supervision.
The need is also growing among seniors. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, nearly 17% of Madison County residents are over the age of 65, which means more families are facing long-term care, inheritance, and asset protection decisions each year.
A well-structured estate plan can prevent confusion, protect property, and spare loved ones from probate stress.
At Elder Law Guidance, we help clients in Richmond, Berea, and across Madison County create practical, Kentucky-compliant plans that achieve peace of mind today and security for the future.
Our Estate Planning Services in Richmond
Our estate planning services in Richmond and Madison County include:
- Coordination with financial and tax advisors
- Wills and testament preparation
- Trust creation
- Trust management
- Revocable Trusts
- Irrevocable trusts
- Special needs trusts
- Financial powers of attorney
- Healthcare powers of attorney
- Living wills
- Advance directives
- DNR documents
- Probate avoidance planning
- Beneficiary and property titling
- Asset protection strategies
- Estate tax planning
- Business succession planning
- Buy-sell agreements
- Charitable and legacy planning
- Charitable trusts and donor-advised funds
- Estate document review and updates
Get Trusted Legal Support Today
For straightforward legal advice and representation, contact Elder Law Guidance. Call (859) 544-6012 to schedule your consultation.
Why Choose Elder Law Guidance for Your Estate Plan
Families throughout Richmond and Madison County trust Elder Law Guidance because we make estate planning clear, compassionate, and effective. Here’s what sets us apart:
- Local Experience You Can Trust. Serving Kentucky families since 2015, we know the local laws, courts, and community resources that affect your estate plan.
- Free, No-Pressure Consultations. Start with a complimentary consultation where we explain wills, trusts, and powers of attorney under Kentucky law.
- Personalized, Human Approach. Our team brings backgrounds in family support, ministry, and end-of-life care, allowing us to address emotional and practical needs with equal care.
- Real-World Functionality. Every estate plan is designed to work in practice, not just on paper. Your plan will cover asset titling, trust funding, and beneficiary coordination.
- Education First. We believe peace of mind starts with understanding. You’ll always know your options before making any commitment or signing documents.
- Ongoing VIP Support. Our care plan includes regular reviews and updates, so your estate documents stay current as laws and life circumstances change.
- Integrity and Compassion. We treat every client like family, guiding you through life’s most personal decisions with honesty, respect, and genuine care.
About Elder Law Guidance
Founded in 2015, Elder Law Guidance helps families in Richmond, Berea, and across Madison County protect their independence, assets, and peace of mind through compassionate estate and elder law planning.
Our roots run deep in service and community. Built on experience in military service, ministry, and family support, our firm was created to bring compassion and dignity to every case. We focus on protecting families, through an education-first approach that makes sure every client understands their options before taking the next step.
Our attorneys are active members of the Kentucky Bar Association and work closely with the Madison County Probate Division and Madison County Clerk’s Office to make sure every plan meets local legal and filing standards.
Since our founding, families have described their experience with Elder Law Guidance as patient, respectful, and life-changing. Our mission remains the same today: to help you live independently, protect what you have built, and leave a legacy rooted in stability, compassion, and care.
Our Estate Planning Process in Richmond
Families in Richmond often reach out to us after a sudden hospitalization, a denied Medicaid application, or a delay in VA disability benefits. Our process is designed to bring calm and clarity, guiding you and your loved ones one step at a time.
Step 1: Begin with a Complimentary Consultation
Your first step is a free consultation, available in person at our Richmond office, virtually, or by phone. This meeting is about understanding your situation, your goals, and the options that fit your family’s needs.
Step 2: Personalized Planning Session
Next, you’ll meet with an experienced elder law attorney for a detailed strategy session. We’ll review Medicaid eligibility, VA benefits, long-term care options, wills, and trusts, all focused on protecting your assets and making sure your wishes are honored. Many clients say this meeting “brought everything into focus.”
Step 3: Drafting and Signing Your Documents
Once your plan is finalized, we prepare the legal documents that make it official. This includes wills, trusts, and powers of attorney crafted specifically for Kentucky law. Families often tell us this stage feels reassuring, like putting long-awaited plans into motion.
Step 4: Implementing and Funding Your Plan
Our team helps you fund trusts, retitle assets, and coordinate with financial advisors or accountants, confirming that your plan works smoothly in real life.
Step 5: Medicaid & VA Benefit Applications
If your case involves applying for Medicaid or VA disability benefits, we manage the process from start to finish. The VA’s review process can take several months, but our goal is to make sure your application is thorough, accurate, and well-documented to minimize delays.
Step 6: Continued Support & Education
Our relationship doesn’t end after the paperwork. Many Richmond families continue with our annual support program, which includes plan reviews, updates, and caregiver guidance.
We also offer free monthly workshops on Medicaid, VA benefits, and estate planning, open to all residents of Richmond, Berea, and surrounding Madison County communities. Every attendee receives access to the session recording, because peace of mind starts with understanding your options.
Key Estate Planning Documents We Prepare
Every family’s situation is different, but most estate plans in Richmond and Madison County include a few necessary legal tools. Each one plays a specific role in protecting assets, guiding family decisions, and avoiding unnecessary court involvement.
Last Will and Testament
A will directs how your property is distributed after death. Without one, assets pass under Kentucky’s intestacy laws, which may not match your wishes. Wills are filed through the Madison County Probate Division, located at 101 West Main Street in Richmond.
Revocable Living Trust
A living trust allows your estate to bypass probate, which can shorten the time between death and distribution. It also provides privacy, since trusts are not filed in the public record. According to Kentucky law, properly funded trusts can significantly reduce court involvement, saving families both time and cost.
Durable Power of Attorney
A financial power of attorney allows someone you trust to manage finances, real estate, and other assets if you become incapacitated. Most local banks and credit unions in Richmond and Berea require a notarized power of attorney before honoring financial requests.
Healthcare Power of Attorney and Living Will
These documents authorize an agent to make healthcare decisions if you cannot. They are routinely honored by Baptist Health Richmond, which follows Kentucky’s Living Will Directive Act (KRS 311.621–311.643). Creating these documents allows medical providers and family members to understand and respect your preferences.
Beneficiary Designations and Deed Work
We help clients align deeds, titles, and beneficiary designations so assets flow correctly. Deeds and property records are recorded with the Madison County Clerk’s Office to confirm full compliance.
Local Resources We Work With in Richmond
- Madison County Probate Division – oversees probate filings and estate matters at 101 West Main Street, Richmond
- Madison County Clerk’s Office – records deeds, trusts, and property transfers
- Baptist Health Richmond – recognizes healthcare directives and living wills
- St. Andrews Retirement Community – local assisted living and senior care partner
- Arcadian Cove Senior Living – residential and assisted living community in Richmond
- Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) – home to many local retirees and family clients
- Richmond Chamber of Commerce – community partner supporting local education programs
Schedule a Consultation Today
Estate planning starts with a simple conversation. Whether you live in Richmond, Berea, or anywhere in Madison County, you can meet with Elder Law Guidance in the way that’s most comfortable for you. We offer in-person, virtual, and home or hospital consultations, giving you complete flexibility and peace of mind.
Schedule your session through our website or contact our friendly intake team to reserve an appointment that fits your schedule. Our goal is to make planning easy, accessible, and stress-free from the very first meeting.
