Brook Probate Lawyers

Matthew R. Effner (Matt) is the managing partner of Effner Law Firm. In 1996, Matt joined his father, Robert O. Effner, in the practice of law as an associate with Effner Law Firm and became a partner in 2000. He took over as managing partner in 2013. Matt is skilled at building strong cases and is a zealous advocate for his clients. He is experienced at handling issues both in and out of the courtroom. He is a former president of the Terre Haute Bar Association, and he received the Tribune Star Readers’ Choice Award for Best Lawyer in...

Katie focuses her practice on Insurance Defense, Insurance Coverage, and Estate Planning. She represents clients across the state of Indiana, both in state court and federal court. In her insurance defense practice, Katie has experience representing insureds in third party claims involving tort liability such as bodily injury and premises liability. In other cases, she represents insurance companies in first party claims brought by insureds. Katie also assists clients in developing a comprehensive estate plan, working closely with clients and their families. This includes drafting wills, trusts, guardianships, powers of attorney, healthcare powers of attorney, and living wills.

Prior to joining...

Matthew E. Sarber is a life-long resident of northern Indiana, and thoroughly enjoys the relationships with his fellow Hoosiers. Attending Manchester College (now University) and later Valparaiso University, allowed Matthew to hone his acumen for persuasion and oral discourse. While in practice as an attorney, Matthew enjoys meeting with clients and discussing the various legal issues brought about by each client's needs. He works hard to ensure the best possible result is achieved for the client, and will always be up front, honest, and loyal with his clients. Matthew lives in Marshall County with his wife and...

Notre Dame law school 1984 Indiana University 1981

Jamie E. Harrell earned her Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in 2011. Born and raised in Avon, Indiana, she graduated from Indiana University majoring in Political Science.

Jamie focuses her practice primarily on civil litigation, especially in the area of family law. She has extensive experience handling divorce, marital property disputes, child custody and support issues. In addition to experience with parenting time issues, Jamie has handled a variety of third party custody and grandparent visitation cases.

In addition to civil litigation, Jamie enjoys working closely with individuals and families to reach...

Martin Barnes is an attorney at the central Indiana law firm of Barnes Cadwell (An Association of Attorneys – Not a Partnership). His legal practice is focused on social security disability, estate planning, probate and estate administration, wills, and trusts.

His practice emphasizes social security disability and estate planning and probate.

Mr. Barnes graduated from the Ball State University School of Business in 1975, and has been in private practice for more than 20 years since graduating from the Indiana University School of Law – Indianapolis.

Mr. Barnes is a member of the Indianapolis Bar Association (Estate Planning and Administration Section) and the...

Jayson R. Gilbert is the founder and lead attorney at Gilbert Legal Services LLC. He practices primarily in the areas of trust and estate planning, trust and estate administration, guardianships, and Medicaid planning and applications. He is admitted to practice in all State Courts in Indiana and the United States District Court for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana. Jayson is a member of the Indiana State Bar Association, probate trust and real property, and the elder law sections. Jayson received his bachelor’s in organizational leadership from the University of Indianapolis. He received his JD from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney...

Mark Hassler has been a litigator for his entire professional career, beginning in 1981. Mark has represented individuals and business entities in numerous Indiana Courts and in Federal Courts in Indiana, California and Texas. He has extensive jury trial experience, including many trials involving wrongful death, serious personal injury and medical malpractice. His litigation experience also includes business and insurance disputes, as well as disputes involving family trusts, wills and real estate. Mark is AV Preeminent* peer review-rated, the highest rating through Martindale-Hubbell. He, too, has been selected by his contemporaries to serve as President and Secretary of the...

I have more than a few gray hairs that come from a wealth of experience. I try to find ways to resolve problems with minimal amount of cost and many times there is no cost at all. Although I am available for in person consultation many people prefer online consultations. I see bankruptcy as a last resort and try to find way to resolve debt issues with having to pursue the bankruptcy option. However, if necessary we can make it as easy as possible. I am available to handle all estate issues and consultations. We do...

After nearly seven years in the U. S. Army, I attended Purdue University North Central and Valparaiso University School of Law. The David E. Baum Law Office, P.C., David R. Phillips Attorney of Counsel, is a locally owned and operated law firm that provides representation in the areas of Criminal, Family and Personal Injury law. In addition we are proud to offer a wide range of services tailored to the needs of our local community members and small business owners. No issue in your life is too small to stop in for a consultation. Visit us in the recently renovated...

Attorney Michael T. Sawyier has 40 years of experience in estate planning. A graduate of Harvard University, the University of Chicago Law School and Yale University, he has a combination of broad knowledge, in-depth education and extensive experience that enhances the value of the legal services he provides. He also holds a Master's degree in Taxation from the John Marshall Law School, enabling him to prepare and analyze estate and real estate transactions to minimize tax liability and exposure. Mr. Sawyier concentrates his practice in the areas of asset protection, estate and business planning, business law, and real estate. Michael...

Tracy is a 1994 graduate of the Indiana University School of Law - Bloomington. She also received her undergraduate degree in Business-Marketing from Indiana University - Bloomington. Tracy has been admitted by the Supreme Court of Indiana to the Indiana Bar and to the U.S. Southern District Court. She participates as a member of the Indiana State Bar Association and the Allen County Bar Association. She is a former President of the Fort Wayne Estate Planning Council, Co-Chair of the Probate, Tax and Trust section of the Allen County Bar Association, and Board Member of Early Childhood Alliance. She is...

Bruce graduated magna cum laude from the Indiana University School of Law in Bloomington in 1992. Bruce has been licensed in both Indiana and Kentucky since 1992, and has concentrated his practice in the Kentuckiana area. He has represented clients on every level of the state and federal courts in both states, and is a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney by the National College of Trial Advocacy.

Bruce has served as an Adjunct Professor at the Brandeis School of Law.

He is an active member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and serves as Executive Editor...

Leah graduated Magna Cum Laude from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Public Affairs from Indiana University-Bloomington. After graduating from law school, Leah became a member of the Michigan Bar where she clerked for a Judge in the Circuit Court. After returning home to Indiana, she became a member of the Indiana State Bar Association, the Allen County Bar Association where she formerly served as Chair of the Probate, Tax, and Trust Section and the State Bar of Michigan. Leah is on the board of Healthier Moms and Babies and is...

I pride myself on being responsive to my client's needs. My clients reach out to me for help with their businesses, development projects and personal needs. When they do, they are reaching out because something has come up that is beyond what they are comfortable handling alone. By responding quickly, I can help my clients avoid making difficult decisions without good advice. I enjoy working with my clients to handle help them grow and protect their businesses for today and for tomorrow. I particularly enjoy real estate development, having grown up in a family that developed residential subdivisions and built...

After working for over 11 years in the court system as a juvenile probation officer, I have witnessed and been a part of many aspects of the court system. The courts and the laws have the ability to protect its citizens who plan well and prepare for their future and the future of their family. I am here to assist you in preparing for the future of your family through estate planning, child custody, adoption, family law, and criminal defense.

I have been a licensed Indiana Attorney for over 33 years. I have both civil and criminal jury trial experience. I have tried over 30 cases in front of a jury and hundreds of bench trials in front of a Judge. I have filed numerous appeals and have nine published Indiana Reporter decisions. My private law practice is concentrated in divorce and criminal defense. My general law practice also includes family law matters, wills and personal injury cases.

Our firm represents small businesses and families in a wide variety of areas. Some of our main practice areas are litigation, estate planning, general corporate, real estate, probate/will disputes, elder law, and family law.

I am passionate about solving legal problems and helping clients get the outcomes they want.

I have been serving the legal needs in Muncie and surrounding areas for 16 years. The areas of law in which I practice are estates, estate planning, real estate, business, guardianships, adoptions and family law.