We would like to thank our neighbors in Prairie Village, Kansas for visiting our website. If you are looking for a licensed estate planning attorney in the Overland, Kansas area, you have found a reliable local resource.
Prairie Village is located in the heart of the Kansas City Metro region, offering quick access to the Country Club Plaza, the Sprint Center, Arrowhead & Kauffman Stadiums, the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, Union Station and the Kansas City Zoo.
The History of Prairie Village
The History of Prairie VillageThe City of Prairie Village was initially owned by the Shawnee, Osage, and Kansa Indians. As settlers and pioneers traveled west through Kansas, the Porter family chose to make Prairie Village their home. In 1858, Thomas Porter purchased 160 acres of farmland there and raised all of his children on this farmland. The first Prairie School was built in 1882 and then a new building was constructed in 1912. This landmark remained in the community until 1990.
From farmland to community
Changing farmland to suburban housing for soldiers during the war, an experienced developer, J. C. Nichols, bought the farmland from the Porters and others. Although there were many obstacles he faced along the way, especially a shortage of experienced construction workers, Nichols was not dissuaded from achieving his goal.
Continued expansion
Prairie Village continued to expand as major chopping centers began to open, including the Prairie Village Shopping Center in 1947 and the Corinth Square Shopping Center in 1955. Robert F. Bennett served as Mayor of Prairie Village before becoming a Kansas State senator and eventually the Governor of Kansas in 1975. Currently, Prairie Village has become a “bedroom community” serving the needs of individuals and families in the greater Kansas City metro area.
Prairie Village Named 8th Safest City in Kansas in 2016
Prairie Village has consistently been ranked as one of the best places to live in America, mostly because of its outstanding safety record. As for the safety of this city, reported violent crimes per 1,000 residents is only 0.59 and property crimes per 1,000 is only 11.09. This exceptional record is due to the dedicated members of the Prairie Village Police Department, which remains prepared to serve and protect, with several successful crime prevention initiatives and a comprehensive Citizen’s Police Academy.
Outreach to the youth of Prairie Village
One successful strategy is for law enforcement to work diligently to build a relationship with Prairie Village’s youth. Prairie Village Police Department holds an annual “Shop with a Cop” program, where officers take underprivileged children holiday shopping and pay for their purchases using the funds collected from recycled cell phones.
Prairie Village is also highly ranked for its excellent schools, beautiful setting, and its affordability. In fact, in 2014 “Business Insider” ranked Prairie Village as the fifth best suburb in America.
Why Prairie Village residents need an estate plan
Why Prairie Village residents need an estate planEstate planning provides an important opportunity for you to prepare yourself and your family for death, as well as, the possibility of incapacity during your lifetime. There are a many different options when it comes to estate planning. Choosing the right one will depend on your individual goals for the future. Your Kansas City estate planning attorney can help you create the perfect plan.
Why it is important to be prepared for incapacity
The legal definition of incapacity is the ability to comprehend the consequences of certain legal proceedings, including entering into contracts or signing legal documents. Incapacity could be caused by either a physical or mental condition and can be temporary or permanent. Now, when it comes to estate planning matters, incapacity refers to the ability of an individual to manage his or her own affairs and to make important legal decisions for themselves. Without an appropriate estate plan that addresses incapacity issues, you might end up being appointed a court-supervised conservator or guardian.
Your plan can determine how to handle your estate after your death
The other purpose of estate planning is to establish a plan for handling your estate after your death. One of the main estate planning tools used for this purpose is the Last Will and Testament, or Will for short. A will is basically a set of written instructions about how your estate should be distributed upon your death. A will can also give you a way to name a guardian for your minor children. One disadvantage of a will, though, is that your estate must go through the probate process before your assets can be distributed.
If you have questions regarding will, trusts, or any other estate planning matters, contact Gaughan & Connealy for a consultation either online or by calling us at (816) 974-3030.
