ABOUT GARY EASTMAN, J.D., M.B.A.
Big-firm experience. Personal service. Estate planning that protects what matters most.- Home
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Why I Practice Estate Planning Law
Most people don’t wake up thinking about estate planning. It isn’t exciting, and it rarely feels urgent…
Until it is.
Throughout my career, I have witnessed the fallout when families lack a structured transition. I have seen business owners lose the equity they spent a lifetime building because it wasn’t shielded from liability. I have guided grieving families through Johnson and Wyandotte County Probate Courts in cases where a properly drafted trust would have saved them months of administrative stress and thousands of dollars in unnecessary legal fees.
I founded The Eastman Law Firm to move beyond mere document processing. My goal is to provide you with genuine legal and financial certainty. I am here to help you protect what you have built and ensure that your specific wishes are legally enforceable, providing your family with a clear roadmap when they need it most.
Since 1998, I have applied this disciplined approach to 5,407 estate planning clients, creating 5,423 trusts and 1,257 wills, and successfully administering 143 probate estates. Having helped thousands of families across Johnson and Wyandotte Counties, I view every statistic as a successful outcome in protecting a legacy and securing a family’s financial future.
From Corporate Boardrooms to Kansas Kitchen Tables
My transition into private estate planning was driven by a specific realization: the high-level legal strategies used by multi-billion dollar entities are the exact tools needed to protect family legacies in Johnson and Wyandotte Counties.
During my tenure at Polsinelli, a top 100 AmLaw firm (2002–2005), I managed the legal complexities of over 500 transactions. These ranged from $500,000 to $10 million, with several high-stakes deals exceeding $100 million. As General Counsel for a multi-billion dollar, publicly-traded corporation, I was responsible for regulatory compliance, strategic risk management, and the long-term protection of corporate assets.
My background involves representing a diverse portfolio of entities, from global finance firms to the local businesses that drive the Kansas City metro economy. This experience includes:
- Public Finance Corporations: Developing securitization and wealth-preservation strategies.
- Industrial & Distribution Entities: Navigating complex tax structures and multi-jurisdictional compliance.
- Manufacturing Businesses: Designing robust succession plans to ensure operational continuity.
- Banking Institutions: Managing fiduciary responsibilities and trust oversight.
- Franchise & Small Business Owners: Shielding multi-million dollar investments from liability.
- Entrepreneurs: Building legally sound foundations for new ventures in Johnson and Wyandotte Counties.
The takeaway for your estate: The same sophisticated legal rigor that protects billion-dollar corporations is exactly what is required to protect your family today. Estate planning is not a luxury reserved for the ultra-wealthy; it is a necessity for anyone who wants to replace uncertainty with a technically sound, legally enforceable strategy.
Academic Foundation
University of Kansas School of Law, Lawrence, Kansas Juris Doctor (J.D.), awarded May 1998
- Judicial Clerkship Clinic, 1997-1998, Judge Michael J. Malone
- Kansas Journal of Law and Public Policy, Publication Editor, 1997-1998; Staff Member, 1995-1996
University of Kansas School of Business, Lawrence, Kansas Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Finance concentration, awarded May 1998
- Dean’s Honor List, Fall 1995-1997, Spring 1996, 1998
- Business Merit (Robert H. Zalokar) Scholarship
Professional Memberships
- Kansas Bar Association
- Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association
- Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals
How We Work Differently
Sophisticated Expertise, Accessible Service
You gain the knowledge and strategic foresight of a large corporate law firm without the institutional barriers or excessive fee structures. Gary applies decades of high-level legal experience to every estate plan, ensuring that whether your needs are straightforward or highly complex, your strategy is built on a foundation of professional excellence.
Integrated Financial Acumen
Your estate plan is informed by a professional understanding of tax implications and investment considerations. Gary’s M.B.A. in Finance ensures that the firm does more than just draft documents; it provides the financial strategies necessary to preserve your wealth and make informed decisions that impact your long-term security in Johnson and Wyandotte Counties.
Personal Accountability, Not Assembly Line Work
Your family’s future is never treated as a case number. Every estate plan is a unique reflection of your specific circumstances, goals, and values. Our firm prioritizes individual attention, taking the time to analyze what matters most to you before architecting a solution that protects your interests.
Clear Communication, Not Legal Jargon
You receive guidance in transparent, actionable terms. By removing confusing legal terminology, the firm ensures you fully understand every component of your plan. This clarity allows you to make confident, informed decisions about your family’s future without the friction of traditional “legalese.”
A Long-Term Strategic Partnership
Estate planning is an evolving process, not a one-time transaction. As your wealth grows and your family dynamics change, the firm remains your permanent legal resource. We ensure your plan is updated to reflect life’s transitions and evolving Kansas statutes, ensuring your legacy remains protected across Johnson and Wyandotte Counties.
Beyond Templates: A Diagnostic Approach
A significant portion of the estate planning industry relies on static templates and high-volume document “churn.” That is not the standard at The Eastman Law Firm. Every strategy we architect is the result of a rigorous diagnostic process that accounts for the specific variables of your life across Johnson and Wyandotte Counties.
Your comprehensive plan is built upon four critical pillars:
Family Dynamics & Structure
Real estate holdings, private business interests, retirement accounts, and diversified investments each require distinct legal handling. We apply a financial strategist’s lens to ensure every asset is correctly titled and shielded within your estate framework.
Asset Composition
Real estate, business interests, retirement accounts, investments, personal property. Different assets require different planning strategies.
Defined Strategic Goals
Whether your priority is minimizing federal estate taxes, avoiding the Kansas probate process, or protecting wealth from potential creditors, our recommendations are driven by your specific objectives for wealth preservation and charitable legacy.
Risk Mitigation & Contingency
We address the technical risks most overlook: potential litigation, business succession continuity, incapacity planning, and privacy. We identify these vulnerabilities early to ensure your plan performs exactly as intended during a crisis.
Only after this exhaustive analysis do we recommend specific legal structures. The result is an estate plan tailored to your actual financial and personal reality, engineered with the technical rigor of a J.D./M.B.A. perspective.
A Track Record of Success
Over 27 years, I’ve served 5,407 estate planning clients with proven results:
Estate Planning
- Created 5,423 trusts for Kansas families
- Drafted 1,257 wills
- Helped 1,134 families in Johnson County specifically
- Saved clients an average of over $500,000 in estate taxes through strategic planning
- Served clients with estates ranging from $100,000 to over $100 million
Probate Administration
- Successfully administered 143 probate estates in Kansas
- Guided families through simple and complex probate proceedings
- Minimized delays, costs, and family stress during difficult times
Business & Corporate Experience
- Worked on over 500 transactions at Polsinelli (AmLaw 100 firm)
- Handled deals ranging from $500,000 to over $100 million
- Served as General Counsel for multi-billion dollar publicly-traded corporation
- Represented public finance corporations, manufacturing companies, banks, and entrepreneurs
For Businesses:
- Guided family-owned companies through multi-generational succession planning
- Structured buy-sell agreements protecting business partners and their families
- Created asset protection strategies for entrepreneurs and professionals
- Developed tax-efficient ownership structures for privately-held companies
For Families:
- Designed trust strategies minimizing estate taxes while preserving wealth
- Helped blended families navigate complex inheritance situations
- Protected special needs children with properly structured trusts
- Guided families through probate with efficiency and compassion
For Individuals
- Created comprehensive estate plans for high-net-worth individuals
- Structured charitable giving strategies maximizing impact and tax benefits
- Developed incapacity plans ensuring healthcare and financial wishes are honored
- Simplified estate administration saving families time, money, and stress
The Right Team for Your Needs
Complex estate planning often requires more than just legal expertise. Over the years, I’ve built strong relationships with:
- Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) for tax planning
- Financial advisors for investment strategies
- Insurance professionals for wealth protection
- Real estate professionals for property planning
- Trust officers for ongoing administration
When your situation requires specialized expertise, I connect you with trusted professionals who can help. You get a comprehensive team approach without the hassle of coordinating multiple advisors yourself.
Proud to Serve the Johnson and Wyandotte County Communities
I established The Eastman Law Firm to provide the residents of Johnson and Wyandotte Counties with a level of legal sophistication that matches their work ethic. This region is defined by strong families and thriving businesses—communities that deserve high-level strategic planning to ensure their legacies are preserved for the next generation.
Since founding the firm, I have had the privilege of serving 1,134 Johnson County families alongside a growing number of residents in Wyandotte County with specialized estate planning, probate administration, and trust services. Every strategy we develop and every 60-minute responsiveness guarantee we meet reflects a deep-seated commitment to the families who drive the Kansas City metropolitan economy.
Families throughout this region work hard to build successful lives. You deserve legal counsel that doesn’t just process paperwork, but understands your values and respects your financial priorities. My practice is designed to translate that respect into technically sound legal structures that provide certainty in an uncertain world.
Whether you are a young family in Kansas City, Kansas, establishing your first trust, or a business owner in Overland Park planning for a complex succession, my background in corporate law and finance is at your disposal. I am here to ensure that your life’s work is protected under the full authority of Kansas law.
Proudly serving families across the greater Kansas City metropolitan area, including Leawood, Overland Park, Prairie Village, Olathe, Lenexa, Shawnee, and the communities of Wyandotte County.
Serving Families Throughout Johnson County
The Eastman Law Firm proudly serves families across Johnson County and the greater Kansas City metropolitan area. Wherever you are in our community, we're here to help.
Secure Your Legacy Today
You have spent a lifetime building your assets and providing for those you love. Your family’s future is too important to leave to chance or the default of Kansas intestacy laws.
Schedule a consultation today to define your estate planning strategy. Gary will apply a J.D./M.B.A. perspective to analyze your specific holdings, answer your technical questions, and recommend legally sound solutions tailored to your life in Johnson or Wyandotte County.
Transparent communication. Technical rigor. You receive honest guidance from a strategist dedicated to getting the details right for your family’s long-term protection.
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