Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do you charge for your consultations?
A: Our consultations are free of charge. We believe every person deserves the chance to explore
whether Ridings Law is the right fit before making any commitment. When we schedule meetings, we
aim to be flexible and to honor your time, and we ask the same in return so that we can keep offering
free consultations to everyone.
Q: Do you work with clients in both Missouri and Kansas?
A: Yes. We are licensed in both Missouri and Kansas and routinely serve clients throughout the Kansas
City metropolitan area on both sides of the state line. Because so many families and businesses here
live, own property, and operate across the state line, working with an attorney admitted in both states
means your plan and your documents hold up wherever your life and business actually reach.
Q: Do you offer remote consultations?
A: Yes. We can meet by phone or by Google Meet, whichever is easier for you. Remote meetings are a
great option for busy professionals, out-of-town family members who need to be part of the
conversation, and referral partners who want to introduce us to a client.
Q: How do I get started?
A: You are welcome to call us to schedule a free consultation, or click below to book online at a time
that works for you. For deed drafting, you can skip the consultation entirely and get started right away
by completing our online intake form.
Q: Do you offer walk-in appointments?
A: We would love to host you in our office, and to give every client our full attention, in-person
appointments are scheduled in advance. Booking ahead means your time is reserved for you and we are
ready to make the most of it when you arrive.
Estate Planning
Q: Do I need a will, a trust, or both?
A: It depends on your goals, your assets, and how you want the process to work for your family. A will
directs the distribution of your assets, but it passes through the court-supervised process of probate
before your loved ones receive anything. A trust, by contrast, transfers assets to your beneficiaries
privately and without court involvement. Even when a trust is the centerpiece, it is good practice to
have a will as a back-up to catch anything not transferred into the trust during your lifetime. A
consultation is the best way to figure out which approach fits your situation.
Q: How do you help after a loved one has passed?
A: While Ridings Law does not currently provide probate or trust administration services, we offer a
complimentary meeting with the loved ones of clients who have passed to walk through the
immediately relevant information and help you understand your next steps. Whether or not your loved
one was a client, you are welcome to call us, and we are glad to help you connect with a probate or trust
administration attorney who can guide you the rest of the way.
Q: What does a beneficiary deed do?
A: A beneficiary deed (called a transfer on death deed in some states) lets you name a person or persons
to receive your real property automatically upon your death, without going through probate. It can be a
useful and affordable tool in the right situation. It is generally not the best fit if you intend to name a
minor as a beneficiary, or if your distribution goals are more involved than a straightforward outright
transfer. We will talk through whether a beneficiary deed makes sense as part of your overall plan.
Q: What documents do I need beyond a will or trust?
A: A complete estate plan typically includes more than a will or trust alone. Most clients also have a
durable power of attorney (which authorizes someone to manage your financial and legal affairs if you
become incapacitated), a healthcare power of attorney or healthcare directive (which designates
someone to make medical decisions on your behalf), and a HIPAA authorization. Depending on your
assets, we may also discuss beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance, and
whether a beneficiary deed makes sense for any real property you own. Coordinating these designations
with your overall plan is exactly the kind of detail we work through with clients and, where helpful,
alongside their financial advisor.
Q: Why does planning ahead matter?
A: Putting a plan in place keeps you in control and spares your family avoidable stress, cost, and delay. If
you become incapacitated with a power of attorney already in place, the people you trust can step in
and manage your affairs without a court proceeding. If you have a will or trust when you pass, your
assets go where you intended, on your terms, rather than being distributed by a default state formula
under Missouri or Kansas intestacy law. A thoughtful plan is one of the most meaningful gifts you can
leave the people you love, and the good news is that it is very achievable to get right.
Q: How often should I update my estate plan?
A: We recommend revisiting your estate plan after any major life event: marriage, divorce, the birth or
adoption of a child, a significant change in assets, the death of a beneficiary, or a move to a different
state. After your plan is in place, Ridings Law offers free 15-minute annual check-ins to help you decide
whether changes in your life call for changes in your plan.
Q: Who can you help with estate planning?
A: We are based in Lee's Summit and serve families throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area,
including Lee's Summit, Blue Springs, Independence, Grain Valley, Lake Lotawana, Lake Winnebago,
Grandview, Belton, Raymore, Overland Park, Lenexa, and Leawood. We work with everyone from young
families to serial entrepreneurs to sandwich-generation adults to blended families to aging parents.
Business Law
Q: What business structure is right for me?
A: The right structure depends on the nature of your business, how many people are involved, your
liability concerns, and your tax situation. For most small business owners, a limited liability company
(LLC) offers a strong combination of liability protection and flexibility. There are situations where a
different structure, or a combination of structures, makes more sense, and your personal estate plan
should factor into the conversation as well. We will walk through the options together and help you
make an informed decision.
Q: How long does it take to get my LLC started with Ridings Law?
A: For clients who come to the consultation with a clear vision and a solid understanding of their scope,
we can often have an LLC formed as early as two business days after the consultation. Timing depends
on the complexity of your ownership structure and how quickly we receive the information we need,
but our goal is always to move as efficiently as your situation allows, without cutting corners on the
details that protect you down the road.
Q: What is a registered agent, and do I need one?
A: A registered agent is the person or company officially designated to receive legal notices and
important state correspondence on behalf of your business, such as lawsuits and annual filing
reminders. Both Missouri and Kansas require every LLC and corporation to maintain a registered agent
with a physical address in the state. The role matters because missed legal notices can lead to default
judgments or the loss of your good standing. We help clients understand their options and set this up
correctly from the start.
Q: Do I need an operating agreement if I'm the only member of my LLC?
A: Yes. In Missouri, an operating agreement is required for all LLCs. In Kansas, it is not required by
statute, but we strongly recommend one, and you will find that many banks ask to see it before opening
a business account. Even as a single member, a well-drafted operating agreement reinforces the
separation between you and your business that gives an LLC its liability protection.
Q: What should a multi-member LLC operating agreement address?
A: When more than one person owns a business, the operating agreement is the rulebook that keeps
everyone on the same page and protects the relationship when circumstances change. A thoughtful
multi-member agreement addresses ownership percentages and capital contributions, how profits and
losses are allocated, how decisions get made and what requires a vote, management roles and
authority, and how the business is run day to day. Just as important, it plans for transitions: what
happens if an owner wants out, becomes disabled, passes away, or the owners simply disagree,
including buy-sell provisions and transfer restrictions. We also coordinate these terms with each owner's
personal estate plan, so that a business interest passes the way its owner intends. Putting these terms in
writing early is far easier, and far less expensive, than sorting them out during a conflict.
Q: What legal documents do I need when buying or selling a business?
A: It depends on the structure of the deal. If you are acquiring the assets of a business, you will need an asset purchase agreement along with a bill of sale and any assignment documents necessary to transfer contracts, licenses, or equipment. If you are buying or selling ownership interests in an LLC, the core document is a membership interest purchase and sale agreement. Either way, you will likely also need non-compete and non-solicitation provisions and, depending on the situation, landlord consents or lease
assignments. We identify exactly what your deal requires and make sure nothing falls through the
cracks.
Q: Why do you look at estate planning and business law together?
A: For most owners, the business is one of their most valuable assets, and it does not exist in a vacuum
from the rest of their life. A buy-sell provision that ignores an owner's estate plan, or an estate plan that
ignores how a business interest is meant to transfer, can leave a family and a company working at cross
purposes at the worst possible moment. Because we handle both sides of that work, we can align your
operating agreement, your ownership transfer provisions, and your personal plan so they point in the
same direction. This is also why we enjoy working alongside financial advisors and other professionals:
coordinated planning simply serves the client better.
