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Misty A. Watson

Associate

Email Misty
Phone 314.889.7155

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Bio

Misty Watson focuses her practice on estate planning and administration including probate. She counsels individuals, families, and business owners in the creation of trusts, wills, financial and health care powers of attorney, guardianships, and conservatorships. She also guides trustees through the complexities of the trust administration process.

Addressing families' planning needs began with Misty's social work role and background. Carrying this experience into her law career allows her to craft approaches that preserve wealth and autonomy while remaining sensitive to individual needs of family members.

Estate Planning. A sound knowledge of estate planning alternatives, tax planning, and business relationships, underlies Misty’s approach to estate planning. With a high level of care, she counsels people as they consider important personal, legal, and financial decisions in estate planning, and estate and trust administration.

Special Needs Trusts. Misty is especially well-versed in setting up special needs trusts that qualify persons with special needs for vital government benefits such as Medicaid and Social Security. Each trust is highly-individualized to assure families achieve the day-to-day and long-term arrangements that are in the best interest of their special needs family member.

Misty was recognized by the Missouri Bar at the Gold Level for providing pro bono services to the community.

Prior to joining Danna McKitrick, Misty clerked with a mid-sized law firm and with two agencies: Georgia Legal Services, and Legal Services of Eastern Missouri. At Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, she worked with the Children’s Alliance Department helping families navigate the application of Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs) within various school districts.

Publications & Speaking Engagements

Presenter: Misty delivers presentations to various organizations on a variety of estate planning topics, including:

  • Estate Planning for the 21st Century
  • Planning for Family Members with Special Needs
  • Asset Protection Planning
  • Women’s Perspective on Estate Planning
  • Guardianships and Conservatorships
  • Proper Titling of Fiduciary Accounts

Author: “Planning for the Future” newsletter and Beyond The Fine Print blog.

Co-author: “Involuntary Detention for Mental Illness,” St. Louis Bar Journal.

Instructor: “Women and the Law,” Washington University, College of Arts & Sciences.


Education

  • LL.M. in Taxation, Washington University School of Law (2011)
  • J.D., Washington University School of Law (2006), Order of the Barristers, Dean’s list, Scholars in Law Award, Family Law Society, vice president; Alternative Dispute Resolution Society, president; Wiley Rutledge Moot Court, semi-finalist; American Bar Association Mediation Competition, regional coordinator; Women’s Law Caucus
  • B.S.W., East Central University (2001)

Admissions

  • Missouri
  • Illinois

Associations

  • Estate Planning Counsel
  • American Bar Association
  • The Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater St. Louis
  • The Missouri Bar: Probate and Trust Committee; Elder Law Committee; Family Law Committee; Education Law Committee
  • Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis: Young Lawyers Division; Pro Bono Committee, vice chair.

Community Involvement

  • Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition, junior board member
  • Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, John R. Essner Award; Young Friends of Legal Services of Eastern Missouri board member
  • SLARC Young Friends
  • PROMO Governor's Council