Kelli E. Brown J.D., LL.M.

Estate Planning Author & Speaker

ABOUT THE AUTHOR and speaker

Kelli E. Brown, J.D., LL.M.


Licensed in Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, and the U.S. Tax Court 


Kelli E. Brown is a Doctor of Law graduate from Salmon P. Chase College of Law and holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Estate Planning from the University of Miami. She is licensed to practice in Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, and the U.S. Tax Court, and brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and dedication to the practice of trusts and estates.


Her areas of focus include:


  • Probate: When a person passes away, whether a probate estate is straightforward or highly complex, Kelli and her experienced team guide clients through every step of the probate process. From managing property sales and securing assets to handling court filings, they provide comprehensive and compassionate support. 


  • Litigation: Kelli has successfully handled numerous trust and estate disputes, including cases involving fiduciary abuse. She is committed to protecting legacies and ensuring estates are administered fairly and in accordance with the law. 


  • Estate Planning: Kelli assists individuals and families from all backgrounds in crafting tailored estate plans. She believes that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, benefits from having a thoughtful plan in place for the future.

 

Kelli is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), a prestigious organization of peer-elected trust and estate attorneys recognized for their integrity, professionalism, and expertise. She is also the author of two published books and holds an AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale-Hubbell, reflecting the highest level of professional excellence in both legal ability and ethical standards. 

Author Kellie Brown and Her Dog

 K E B

Book Releases

Book Releases From Kelli E. Brown Include:


Estate Planning When You Have Pets (2020)


PETS ARE FAMILY. 


Including pets in your estate planning is not standard advice from most attorneys, but it should be. If something happens to you, where will your pets go? Who will care for them? 


As an experienced trusts and estate attorney, Kelli guides you through everything you need to know to ensure your beloved pets are protected if you are no longer able to care for them. This book covers: 


  • How to make thoughtful re-homing decisions 
  • Setting aside funds for veterinary and everyday pet care 
  • Choosing the right guardians for your pet’s needs 
  • Estate planning basics every pet owner should understand 
  • Why proper asset titling matters 
  • When and how to hire an attorney 
  • Strategies for dealing with family members who aren’t pet lovers 
  • Special considerations for exotic pets 


This is your step-by-step guide to tailoring an estate plan that includes—and prioritizes—your family members with fur, feathers, or scales. 

REVIEWS



“This book is a fantastic read - it's clearly written, with complex legal jargon explained simply. Perfect for anyone interested in or planning their Estate when they are pets involved. The author goes beyond what's available from online Estate Planning services, offering insights you won't find elsewhere.

 

Even if you're working with an attorney, this book will help you prepare. It guides you on the right questions to ask, making sure you get the best service. A big thank you to the author for this helpful guide.

 

PS: there are some insights on Estate Planning when you don't have pets that you might find pretty useful.”


Estate Planning When You Have an Addicted Child (2017)


When your loved one struggles with addiction, estate planning becomes not just important, but essential. In this compassionate and practical guide, attorney Kelli E. Brown shows how thoughtful estate planning can protect your family from further heartache and provide for your loved ones in a safe, structured way. 

 

You cannot change your loved one’s addiction, but you can ensure they are supported with the tools and boundaries they need. In many cases, this may be the greatest gift you leave behind. 

Kelli is an experienced trust and estates attorney, and her book covers: 



Wills, trusts, and other essential legal tools 

Powers of attorney and health care documents 

The importance of how assets are titled 

Practical strategies for managing inheritances responsibly 

Real-world examples that turn complex legal concepts into clear action steps 

Checklists to guide you through the process 

Advice for choosing the right estate planning attorney 

 

This is a must-read for anyone who wants to care for a loved one with addiction in a way that protects both the individual and the family as a whole. 

REVIEWS



“An indispensable guide for parents and guardians struggling to plan for an addicted child, Ms. Brown's book is well organized, well written and free of the typical lawyer jargon that often puts the lay reader off (and thus postponing important decisions). The discussions of the various issues a reader may confront are informative, without being confusing, and extremely helpful, especially in the current addiction crises raging in the country. I can't recommend this helpful text strongly enough!”

Publications

& Presentations


  • Publications: Books & Chapters

    • Estate Planning When You Have Pets
      (March 2020), October Day Publishing 

    • Estate Planning When You Have an Addicted Child (February 2017), October Day Publishing 

    • Estate Planning (2017), Chapter on Revocable Trusts, Updated Every 5 Years 

    • Kentucky Elder Law (April 2010), West Publishing, Updated Annually, Chapter 4, Powers of Attorney 
  • Publications: Articles

    • Kentucky Prenuptial Agreements: General Survey, Drafting & Litigation, University of Kentucky Estate Planning Institute (2005) 

    • What Every Probate and Estate Planning Attorney Needs To Know About Estate Litigation, Kentucky Bar Association Annual Convention (2007) 

    • The Probate Checklist, (2009) 

    • Financial Exploitation of The Elderly In Estate Planning (Grandma Got Run Over By A Caretaker!), University of Kentucky Estate Planning Institute (2009) 

    • Wills and Probate Practice, update (2010) 

    • Estate Planning and The Kentucky Prenuptial Agreement, Louisville Estate Council (2010) 

    • Estate Planning For the Elder Client: Diminished Capacity, Kentucky Bench and Bar, Vol 76, (2010) 

    • Estate Planning/Probate 101, Common Probate Questions Answered, (2011) 

    • What Every Kentucky Banker Needs To Know About Estate Planning And Probate, South Central Bank Presentation (2012) 

    • Handling Insolvent Estates in Estate Administration: Squeezing Blood from a Turnip, Kentucky Bar Association Annual Convention (2012) 

    • Estate Planning and The Prenuptial Agreement: There May Be 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover, But Without A Prenup, It’s Not Going To Be Easy, ACTEC Mobile, AL (2012) 

    • Blood, Sex, and Greed: Litigating an Undue Influence Case, University of Louisville Estate Institute (2014) 

    • Wills and Probate Practice for the New Lawyer (2014) 

    • Unique Issues in Estate Planning, Louisville Estate Council (2014) 

    • Orange is the New Black(acre): Navigating a Kentucky Decedent’s Interests in Real Property (2015, re-published 2017, re-published 2019) 

    • Kentucky Prenuptial Agreements: General Survey, Drafting & Litigation. University of Kentucky Estate Planning Institute (2016) 

    • Trust Basics for the General Practitioner (2016) 

    • Orange is the New Blackacre: Navigating the Complexities of the Transfer of a Decedent’s Real Property Interests (2017). 

    • Oh Me Oh My!  Interesting issues in Estate Planning and Probate (2019) 

    • Into the Frying Pan - Addressing difficult issues in estate planning and probate (2021) 
  • Invited Presentations

    • KBA New Lawyers, Wills and Estate, Lexington, February 2020 

    • Louisville Public Library, Pets in Estate Planning, Louisville, February 2020 

    • University of Kentucky, Settlement of Estates, Zoom, February 2021 

    • U of L Institute, Wills and Estates, Louisville, April 2021 

    • ACTEC National Meeting, Trusts and Divorce, Louisville, October 2023 

    • ACTEC Regional, Pet Trusts, Savannah, GA, October 2024 

    • Indiana Estate Counsel, Pet Trusts, New Albany, IN, February 2025 

    • Indiana Estate Counsel, Pet Trusts, Terre Haute, IN, May 2025 

    VIEW FULL LIST

Kelli e. Brown's

Speaking Engagement Experience


Kelli is a seasoned and engaging speaker in the trust and estates field. She regularly presents to legal professionals, community groups, and national audiences, offering insights and practical guidance on a wide range of estate-related topics. Her presentations are known for blending legal expertise with real-world application, drawn from her extensive practice in estate planning, probate, and litigation.


Her speaking topics include:

  • Pet Trusts 

 

  • Probate from Start to Finish

 

  • Estate Planning from Fundamental to the Complex

 

  • Probate for Clients: What to Expect

 

  • Probate for Attorneys: Practice and Procedure
  • Navigating Estate and Trust Litigation

 

  • Mediating an Estate Dispute 

 

  • Avoiding Inheritance Disputes

 

  • Special Topics in Trusts and Estates

Ms. Brown is available for CLEs, professional conferences, bar association events, and private client seminars.

Speaking Engagement with a Large Table in a Horse Barn

CONNECT

I LOOK FORWARD TO DISCUSSING SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES!


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