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Joshua A. Decker
Of Counsel
Overview
Joshua Decker is Of Counsel with the firm and focuses his practice on estate planning, tax planning, and trust and estate administration. He helps families navigate all areas of estate planning with special knowledge in special needs planning and charitable giving.
Joshua recognizes that each client has their own story, and his goal is to be client focused and help to shape each client’s plan to their specific needs. With a high level of care, he counsels people as they consider important personal, legal, and financial decisions when planning for their death or incapacity.
Joshua also advises executors, trustees, and personal representatives as they navigate the often overwhelming process of probate and trust administration. This also includes guiding families through guardianship and conservatorship proceedings for incapacitated individuals.
Joshua understands that sometimes disagreement can occur with the administration of trusts and estates and is able to assist clients in such disputes. Joshua is dedicated to his clients and is committed to providing personal and exceptional service to each client.
Credentials
Education
- Washburn University School of Law, 2012 (J.D.)
- University of Kansas, 2009 (B.A.)
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas, 2012
- Helped clients successfully modify otherwise irrevocable trusts and wills through trust modifications and family settlement agreements.
- Successfully defended a client in an IRS trust fund penalty case.
- Assisted clients in the creation of first party special needs trusts in order to maintain eligibility for benefits and the appropriate use of inherited funds.
- Child Care Aware of Eastern Kansas, Board Member, 2014-2019
- Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation, Volunteer
- American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, Heart of America Fellows Institute
- Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2023
- Kansas Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- American Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division, Real Property, Trust, and Estate Law Committee, Co-Chair
- Kansas Bar Association, Young Lawyers Association, Board Member, 2017-2019
- Douglas County Estate Planning Association, Former President, 2017-2018
- “Trust Funding and Non-Probate Transfers,” Kansas City Estate Planning Symposium Fundamentals of Estate Planningc, October 2024
- “Kansas Creditors Claims in Probate,” National Business Institute, March 2023
- “Estate and Gift Tax Exclusions for 2023: How the Changes Affect Your Clients,” ThinkAdvisor, December 2022
- “Structuring Private Family Trust Companies and SPEs for High Net Worth Individuals and Families,” Strafford Webinar, August 2022
- “Recent Legislation, Case Law Developments, and Federal Estate Tax Update,” Topeka Probate Committee, Semi-Annual Update, 2018
- “Charitable Planning, More Than Putting Your Check in the Offering,” KBA Slam Dunk Conference, 2017
- “Estate Planning Basics,” 2016