Our Attorneys

Melissa Anne Stewart Member

About

Melissa is the chair of the firm’s Estate Planning practice. She began her law practice in litigation, and for five years she worked in corporate and banking litigation, contract litigation and employment cases. Since then, she has focused her practice primarily in the areas of estate litigation, probate and trust administration, estate planning, elder law and litigation.  She also frequently represents banks and trust companies in matters related to trust administration. In addition, she has represented a number of individuals who have served as executors and trustees in a myriad of family situations, some of which involve a high level of conflict and emotion. Conversely, she has also represented beneficiaries who are in conflict with fiduciaries. In connection with those roles, she has participated in successful mediations and litigation between family members, trust and estate beneficiaries, and/or fiduciaries. She also occasionally helps form charitable corporations and assist them in getting tax exempt status.

Melissa speaks to various civic and community organizations on topics related to estate planning, asset protection planning, probate and elder law on a frequent basis. She is a native of Mt. Vernon, Kentucky and has a strong client base in Pulaski, Lincoln and Rockcastle Counties, as well as Central Kentucky.

Areas of Practice

• Estate Planning
• Probate
• Elder Law
• Estate & Trust litigation

Professional Associations and Memberships

• American Bar Association, Member, 1989 – Present
• Kentucky Bar Association, Member, 1990 – Present
• Fayette County Bar Association, Member, 1990 – Present
• Pulaski County Bar Association
• Kentucky Bar Association Probate & Trust Law Section, Elder Law Section
• Fayette Co. Bar Women’s Law Association
• Professional Women’s Forum
• Christian Business Women’s United
• Bluegrass Continuity of Care Association

Past Employment Positions

• Stoll, Keenon & Park, Associate Attorney, 1990 – 2003
• Dean Stewart, PSC, Associate Attorney, 2003 – 2011
• Hargrove Madden, LLP, Non-equity Partner, 2011 – 2017