We would like to thank you, our neighbors in Shawnee, Kansas, for visiting our website. If you are looking for a licensed estate planning attorney in the Kansas City area, you have found a reliable local resource.
Welcome to Shawnee!
Shawnee is a city located in Johnson County, Kansas and is included in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. As of the 2010 census, the population of Shawnee was 62,209. Back in 1831, the Shawnee Indian mission was established at the present site of Shawnee and was later established as a town in 1857. Recognized by Money Magazine as one of the “Best Places To Live” in 2010, Shawnee placed 17th in the United States ranking based on its “affordable housing, air quality index, and median commute time.”
The Johnson County Museum
A jewel of Johnson County is the Johnson County Museum, which has two separate sites for residents and visitors to Johnson County: The History Museum in Shawnee and the Lanesfield Historic Site in Edgerton, Kansas. There are both long-term and changing exhibits offered at the museums, along with children’s history exhibits, online resources, programming for school, youth and Scouts, and lectures and walking tours. The historic collections are comprised of more than one million photographs, 18,000 3-D artifacts, and substantial archival material. The museum serves 40,000 visitors onsite and nearly 100,000 people through online resources.
Shawnee Mission Park
Shawnee Mission Park is a multi-use, park of approximately 1,600 acres located at 79th and Renner Road in Shawnee. This land, purchased through a bond issued in 1956, was officially dedicated on May 30, 1964. Shawnee Mission Park is the largest park in Johnson County and the most frequently visited park in the entire state.
Shawnee Mission Park is home to several great amenities and a beautiful 120-acre lake. The scenic lake is an extremely popular location for boating, fishing, sail boarding, and many other outdoor activities. The park also includes 11 spacious shelters, several picnic areas, nature trails, play areas, an archery range, a 53-acre dog off-leash area, and a disc golf course. Visitors can also enjoy mountain biking and horseback riding. Shawnee Mission Park is also home to The Theatre in the Park, Shawnee Mission Park Beach, and Shawnee Mission Park Marina, where there are canoes, pedal boats, and fishing boats available for rent.
The Purpose of Estate Planning
Estate planning is one way to prepare yourself and your family for death and even for the possibility of incapacity during your lifetime. There are several different options when it comes to estate planning. Which ones are best for you will depend on your unique goals for the future. Your Kansas estate planning attorney can help.
Being prepared for possible 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 could end up being appointed a court-supervised conservator or guardian.
Establishing how your estate will be handled after your death
The other purpose of estate planning is to create a plan for handling your estate after your death. One of the primary estate planning instruments used to establish what to do with your assets after your death is the Last Will and Testament, or Will for short. A Will is essentially a set of written instructions on how your estate should be distributed after your death. A Will can also provide a way for you to nominate a guardian for your minor children. A disadvantage of a Will, however, is that your estate must go through the probate process before your assets can be distributed.
The time to create your estate plan is now
The reason most people put off estate planning is they believe they are either too young or don’t have enough assets. Neither of these assumptions is true. First, you are never too young because, the reality is, you cannot predict how long you have. Nor can you be sure that an unexpected illness or injury won’t leave you in capacitated. Because of that uncertainty, the best course is to start your estate plan sooner rather than later. If for nothing else, do it for your family. The families of people who don’t have a plan, will ultimately be left to pick up the pieces without knowing where to start.
If you have questions regarding estate planning matters, contact Gaughan & Connealy for a consultation either online or by calling us at (913) 262-2000.
