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 20 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.”

When asked…

Why did you become a lawyer?

My dad, an attorney in our small town, inspired me to pursue law. He was trusted in the community and did much pro bono work for those in need. I later found my perfect fit in estate planning and have been mentored by Lathrop GPM’s Peter Brown for over 20 years, who has been a guiding force in my career development.

What do you do outside of work?

Outside of work, I love to travel, run, bike, hike and spend time with family and friends. I’m also an avid Audible listener and recently set a personal goal to visit all the National Parks—I only started in 2020, so I have a long way to go, but I’m excited about the journey! I’m active in the community and have served on multiple nonprofit boards. My charitable work is inspired by clients who’ve shown me the importance of giving back financially and with time.

Areas of Focus

Services

Experience

  • Developed and implemented a new trust structure for a high-net-worth family using a South Dakota Special Purpose Entity, leading a cross-disciplinary team to support the family’s corporate, real estate and employment needs.
  • Leading a diverse team of attorneys supporting a multi-generational family with a long history in the real estate industry.

Credentials

Education

  • University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law (LL.M., Taxation, 1998)
  • University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law (J.D., with distinction, 1997)
    • Order of the Bench and Robe
    • University of Missouri-Kansas City Law Review, Spring 1997 Edition
    • The Urban Lawyer, Articles Editor
  • University of Illinois (B.S., Accounting, with high honors, 1992)

Bar Admissions

  • Kansas
  • Missouri

Recognitions

  • Chambers High Net Worth Guide, "Leading Practitioner of Private Wealth Law," 2021-2024
  • The Independent, "KC Women Trailblazers," 2022
    • "Rising Star," 2020

Presentations

  • Co-host, Legacy Planning Workshop with Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, September 4, 2024
  • Presenter, "Trust Drafting," UMKC Fundamentals of Estate Planning Program, October 26, 2023
  • Presenter, "So You've Been Named a Trustee…Now What?" UMKC School of Law Annual Seminar on Recent Developments in Federal Taxes, January 28, 2023
  • Speaker, "Estate Planning and Charitable Giving 101," Wayside Waifs Estate Planning Luncheon, August 10, 2022
  • Panelist, "Current Trends in Estate Planning," Breakfast Club KC, August 4, 2022
  • Co-presenter, "Charitable Gift Planning in 2021: Options and Strategies to Achieve Your Client's Giving Goals," Truman Heartland Community Foundation - Professional Advisor Seminar Series, October 28, 2021
  • Presenter, "Income Tax Basis Planning for Estate Planning Purposes," UMKC School of Law's Annual Seminar on Recent Developments in Federal Taxes, January 22, 2022; January 30, 2021; January 25, 2020
  • Presenter, "Planned Giving Options," University of Central Missouri Alumni Foundation, September 15, 2020
  • Co-presenter, "Charitable Gift Planning and Navigating RMDS Under the SECURE Act," MOKAN Trust & Financial Services Conference, August 17, 2020
  • Co-presenter, "Pre and Post Sale Planning for You, Your Company and Your Family," A Conference for Business Owners: M&A Solutions for Privately Held Companies, October 8, 2019
  • Presenter, Pet Trusts, Kansas City Estate Planning Society, February 21, 2019
  • Panelist, "Adventures in Portability", UMKC CLE Recent Developments in Federal Taxes, January 28, 2017; January 30, 2016; January 17, 2015.
  • Panelist, "Practice Management: The Difference Between Success and Failure in Today's Competitive Environment", UMKC CLE Estate Planning Fundamentals, September 23, 2014
  • Guest Lecturer, Estate Planning and Drafting, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, 2001-2002

Publications

  • Q&A, "Ask the Expert: Powers of Attorney for Adult Children and HIPAA Authorizations," 435 Magazine, October 2019

Professional Activities

  • Kansas City Tomorrow, 32nd Class; Alumni Association
  • Estate Planning Society of Kansas City, former Legal Membership Committee, current member
  • Women in Insurance and Financial Services (WIFS), Member, 2020-present; Board Member, 2023-present
  • Mid-America Charitable Gift Planners, former Board of Directors, Member
  • University of Missouri-Kansas City, Graduate Tax Law Foundation, former Board of Directors
  • Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph Planned Giving Council, Member, 2022-present

Community Involvement

  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City, Board of Directors, 2018 - Present
  • Encompass, Volunteer/Mentor
  • Starlight Theatre Planned Giving Advisory Council
  • Wayside Waifs, Board of Directors, 2016 - 2019