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Melissa Anne Stewart Headshot

Melissa A. Stewart

Member

About

Melissa is the chair of the firm’s Probate and Estate Planning practice. For over 30 years, she has focused her practice primarily in the areas of estate and trust litigation, probate and trust administration, estate planning, elder law and guardianships. She also frequently represents banks and trust companies in matters related to trust administration. In addition, she represents 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 also often represents beneficiaries who are in conflict with each other and/or fiduciaries. Her goal is to resolve conflict between family members, trust and estate beneficiaries, and/or fiduciaries be it through mediation or litigation. She also occasionally helps form charitable corporations and assists them in getting tax exempt status.

Melissa speaks to various civic and community organizations on topics related to estate planning, asset protection planning, and the probate process on a frequent basis. She is a native of Mt. Vernon, Kentucky and has a strong client base in Pulaski, Lincoln and Rockcastle Counties, in addition to Central Kentucky. Melissa is strongly involved in the community and several charitable organizations and has served on several boards over the years.

Areas of Practice

  • Estate Planning
  • Probate, Guardianships
  • Elder Law
  • Estate & Trust Litigation
  • Trust Administration

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • 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
  • Christian Business Women’s United

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

Bar Admissions

  • Kentucky, 1990
  • U.S. District Court Eastern District of Kentucky, 1991
  • U.S. District Court Western District of Kentucky, 1991
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 1991
  • U.S. Tax Court, 1991

Education

  • The Ohio State University College of Law, Columbus, Ohio
    • J.D. – 1990, with Honors
  • Cumberland College, Williamsburg, Kentucky
    • B.A., Bachelor of Arts, Summa Cum Laude– 1987
    • Major: History & English

Published Works

  • Co-author, “Foundations and Corporate Social Responsibility Programs: A Healthy Mix?”, Docket magazine, December, 2014