#1 Choice for Wills, trusts, & Medicaid strategies

Your Peace of Mind is
Worth Planning For.

Our wills, trusts, and Medicaid strategies ensure your voice dictates your family's future.

Estate Planning

Ensure the assets and property you worked a lifetime to earn get passed on to future generations.

Medicaid Coverage

Medicaid eligibility is complex at best. Develop a proper plan to qualify and receive coverage.

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// Why Choose us

The Cost of Waiting Could Be Everything You've Built

Elder law is about protecting everything you’ve worked for and ensuring your loved ones are cared for.

Without a plan, you could face unexpected costs, legal hurdles, and financial strain. In fact, families who plan ahead preserve 60% more of their assets on average, avoiding the high costs of probate and long-term care.

Whether you need a will, trust, Medicaid planning, or guidance for an aging parent, we’re here to help you make the right decisions.

// Why Choose us

Legal Tools That Safeguard
What Matters Most

From proactive planning to crisis intervention, our elder law team provides the full spectrum of legal services designed to protect your assets and honor your wishes

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Estate Planning

Personalized estate plans that protect what you've built and the people you love.

Medicaid Coverage

Medicaid Planning

Our strategic Medicaid planning helps you qualify for benefits while preserving assets for your family.

Guardianship Springfield, MO

Guardianship

When a loved one can’t advocate for themselves, we help you stand in their corner.

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Powers of Attorney

The legal shield that lets you call the shots even when you can't speak for yourself.

Probate Lawyer

Probate

Probate shouldn't be a second tragedy after losing someone you love.

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Veterans Benefits

When a loved one can’t advocate for themselves, we help you stand in their corner.

Special Needs

Special Needs

Build a plan that protects your loved one with special needs while preserving their benefits and quality of life.

Trusts in Springfield, MO

Trusts

From avoiding probate to securing assets, create the right protection to give your family peace of mind.

Conservatorship 1

Conservatorship

Obtain the legal authority to protect your loved one when they cannot protect themselves.

// Our locations

No Matter Where You Are in the Ozarks, We're Nearby

We have offices in 10 cities across SW Missouri so you never have to go far to protect everything you've worked hard for.

Lori Rook

Lori Rook

Lori Rook is the owner and managing attorney of Ozarks Elder Law. She was born and raised in the Springfield area. She obtained her undergraduate degree from Missouri State University in 2003 where she graduated with honors.

In 2006, Lori received her law degree from Oklahoma City University School of Law before returning to the Springfield area to practice and raise her family.

Elyse Hartley

Elyse Hartley

Elyse Hartley is a partner at Ozarks Elder Law. She grew up on a farm in central Missouri. Upon graduation from the University of Missouri School of Law, she decided to pursue a career in estate planning and elder law after recognizing a need for these services, especially in the farming community. 

Mel Myears Smith

Mel Myears Smith

Melanie “Mel” Myears Smith received her undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri, majoring in Journalism with minors in Spanish and Business. In 2012, she earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Missouri School of Law, where she was the associate-editor-in-chief of the Journal of Dispute Resolution and Vice President of the Women’s Law Association. She worked as a law clerk for a private law firm that focused on workers’ compensation and personal injury in Columbia, Missouri during law school. 

Katherine Douglas-Johnson

Katherine Douglas-Johnson

Katherine grew up on a farm in Eastern Kansas and attended UMKC where she earned a Bachelors in Business Administration, a Masters in Business Administration, and a Law Degree, with a special emphasis in litigation. While earning her Juris Doctorate, Katherine earned the “Top Oralist” award, as well as an award for the Best Petitioner’s Team Brief in Appellate Advocacy and awards for the highest score achieved in multiple classes.

Lisa Dewoody-Clark

Lisa Dewoody-Clark

A native of Oklahoma, Lisa grew up in Tahlequah, the capital of the Cherokee Nation. She received her undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement from the University of Oklahoma. Lisa is a graduate of Oklahoma City University School of Law, where she served as the Board of Governors Senior Class President.

Prior to moving to Missouri, Lisa was in private practice in Oklahoma City and later worked for Oklahoma City University Law School as Director of Law Alumni Relations and Development. After moving to Branson, Missouri, she was in private practice, representing clients in real estate transactions, estate planning, and family law, while also serving as the City Attorney for Hollister and Rockaway Beach and General Counsel for the Tri-Lakes Board of Realtors.

Emily Blinzig

Emily Blinzig

Emily Blinzig is an experienced Estate Planning and Probate attorney who graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies. She was a member of Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society, the Gamma Beta Phi National Honor Society, and the Golden Key Honor Society. She obtained her law degree from the University of Tulsa in 2012, where she was a Phi Delta Phi International Fraternity member, and where she also served as the Secretary of the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund.

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// client testimonials

Real Families. Real Peace of Mind.

Our clients aren’t just cases—they’re families, just like yours. Our success is measured by the peace of mind we provide.

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Nancy Galetti
2 days ago
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I am relieved I met with Attorney Katherine and her team in the Springfield Ozarks Elder Law office. Katherine assessed my estate planning needs! The thought of planning for my death was difficult, however Elder Law educated me and my family in detail as to what we need while we are living! The consult was complimentary! It was an eye opening experience. No matter where we are in life, young or senior I recommend a visit to Elder Law to learn how to plan for the unexpected and protect your family financially! Katherine created a plan for us! I believe it is worth the investment for peace of mind!
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Richard Drusendahl
4 days ago
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Mel Smith gave me the most excellent technical legal services I could imagine. I was very upset and very weak from cancer treatment and not wanting to do this and Mel was very encouraging and very technically confident and I left the session both sessions feeling better about myself and my health and the condition of my will for my family. Best wishes to Ozarks Elder Law and Mel Smith. Sincerely, Richard Drusendahl
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Faye Kyle
4 days ago
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Wonderful representation for our family. Thank you especially to Kathleen Bly, she was so informative.
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Richard Pedersen
4 days ago
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Very helpful in preparing our will and trust. Our situation was unusual and we got our questions answered.
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Joella Roberts
6 days ago
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Great to work with!!
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Cathy Morton
7 days ago
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Great experience with Mel! She covered Everything and was so professional, down to earth with explanations, and answered our questions. Reasonably priced too. Would really recommend elder law!
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Julie Nelson
9 days ago
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Great getting to work with Brook!!! She does an amazing job communicating!!! Highly recommend!!!!!!!
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Donna Curtis
10 days ago
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Very accommodating, empathetic, easy to work with.
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Linda Jeziorski
10 days ago
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Kathleen was great to work with and took care of everything we needed done. We would definitely recommend Ozark Elder Law and Kathleen to others!
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Mark Voinovich
10 days ago
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Mel Myears did an excellent job. She explained everything, answered all our questions and was very thorough. She wrote up a list of things we needed to get done before our signing which was very helpful. I would highly recommend Mel as your attorney for Elder law expertise.
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Bill W.
10 days ago
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Very helpful and informative. Professional in every aspect!!
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Shannon Ethridge
10 days ago
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Kathleen Bly was amazing in helping us pull together all the information necessary to create the Trust that will help provide for our care in our old age and for the generations to come in our family! I’m so grateful for her expertise and compassion!
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Katherine Hooper
10 days ago
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Very warm and professional. Presented different options for me to consider. I was extremely happy with the results she presented me with. Highly recommend!
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Kevin Vanderkolk
10 days ago
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Extremely knowledgeable staff with very friendly service!
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Mike Mayfield
10 days ago
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
A big shout out to Brooke and her team at the Nixa office. Got us what we needed and didn't try to upsell the things we didn't, (like the other guys did). Thanks
Elderly woman and younger woman embracing warmly outdoors

// our locations

Not All Elder Law Attorneys
Are Created Equal

Founded by women who understand family dynamics, our firm brings compassion and fierce advocacy. Our attorneys pride themselves on explaining complicated matters clearly, ensuring you make confident decisions based on genuine understanding, not confusion or intimidation.

Decades of Experience

Women-Owned and Community-Focused

Personalized Plans for Every Family

Recognized Leaders in Elder Law

// faq

Frequently Asked Questions

Your guide to everything wills, trusts, and Medicaid strategies

The Best Time to Plan Was Yesterday. The Second Best Time is Today.

The longer you wait, the fewer options you have. Schedule your free consultation today and discover how proactive planning preserves your choices.

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Fill out the form below and one of our team members will reach out to schedule your free consultation. No pressure, just answers to your questions!

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