Jill Watskey
I’ve been practicing in the field of elder law and estate planning for 25 years and believe that I am one of the happiest attorneys around. I got lucky and fell into this line of work early in my legal career. Elder law was not a common area of practice back then, so when I found out there was a way I could help people like my grandparents, I jumped at the chance.
I love doing this work today as much as I did 25 years ago. So much of my work involves listening to my clients’ stories, and that’s my favorite part. Whether it’s figuring out how to pay for long-term care or helping them with their estate planning, I can’t do any of it well without first understanding their situation and what is important to them.
In addition to elder law and estate planning, my practice also includes handling probate and adult guardianship and conservatorship cases. While my passion is helping older persons with their estate and long-term-care planning needs, I enjoy helping people of all ages with estate planning, probate, and adult guardianship matters.
During my time as an elder law attorney, I have worked in both the private and non-profit sectors. In 2015, I chose to integrate my favorite aspects of the private and non-profit worlds and open my own practice. I have been a solo practitioner since then and love getting to work directly with my clients, without concern for what a non-profit donor or law firm partner might find most valuable.
I grew up in Rolla, Missouri, and graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia. I got my law degree from Vanderbilt Law School in Nashville, Tennessee, and began my legal career in Kansas City, in part, to be closer to my grandparents. After many years in Kansas City and then even more years in Oklahoma City, I moved with my family to Iowa City in 2021. I am still actively licensed to practice law in Oklahoma and continue to do work for my former clients there.
A family celebration in Licking, MO at my grandparents’ home, joined by my Kansas City grandparents.
Celebrating my 17th birthday at my home in Rolla, MO with all four grandparents.
While my passion is helping older persons with their estate and long-term-care planning needs, I enjoy helping people of all ages with estate planning, probate, and adult guardianship matters.