Ruth Brackney

Closely Held & Family Businesses

Trust & Estate Litigation

Private Client Services

Emerging Companies & Entrepreneurs

I’m committed to serving as a trusted advisor who genuinely cares about our clients. One client stated, “Our family has worked with Ruth [25 years] and find her to be an exceptional attorney. She has worked with three generations of our family, and I’ve referred to her several clients and friends who had difficult estate situations that called for an exceptional attorney to assist them. All of them were impressed with the quality of suggestions Ruth offered them.” I prioritize building strong, lasting relationships and am known for being highly responsive. I always strive to be available when clients need support.

Ruth Brackney has over 25 years of experience helping ultra-high net worth and high net worth clients shape their legacy through estate planning for beneficiaries with special needs, charitable and philanthropic giving and succession planning. She provides analysis and guidance on complex matters such as:

Administration of estates, trusts and family limited partnerships

Estate and gift tax returns

Family Office

Gift and generation-skipping transfer tax strategies

Intentionally Defective Grantor Trusts (IDGTs)

Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs)

Premarital agreements

Qualified Personal Residence Trusts (QPRTs)

Revocable trusts

Spousal Limited Access Trusts (SLATs)

Wills

Ruth is a trusted advisor to multi-generational families. She leads them through wealth transfer strategies and coordinates family meetings and educational sessions for younger members. She develops creative plans that enhance family well-being, strengthen community ties and benefit future generations.

Drawing on her extensive experience in charitable planning, Ruth establishes and manages charitable entities, including charitable lead trusts, charitable remainder trusts and private foundations. She also represents estate and trust clients in federal estate and gift tax audits and offers life insurance and retirement asset planning guidance. Additionally, she provides counsel on asset protection strategies, such as Missouri Spendthrift Trusts.

In 2022, when Ruth received an individual ranking in Chambers for Private Wealth Law in Kansas, one source described her as “knowledgeable and experienced, as well as detail-oriented and a good communicator.” Another interviewee remarked, “She is an engaged and proactive strategic advisor who knows how to implement and execute.”