John E. Hegeman practices in the areas of probate and trust law, estate planning, business and tax law, and private adoption. He frequently counsels individuals and couples with estate planning and related tax questions; assists executors/administrators in the prompt resolution of decedents' estates; and successfully represents clients before the Internal Revenue Service and the Indiana Department of Revenue. John’s "probate" practice often requires him to be in court representing guardians and health care representatives for the elderly and incapacitated, as well as advising clients about the multifaceted and escalating area of practice known as "elder law." He assists prospective adoptive parents and birth parents with sensitivity and maturity as they effect plans of private adoption.

Experience:

• Advises clients in estate planning and trust matters including living wills, durable powers of attorney, simple wills, marital (QTIP) and non-marital (family) trust plans.

• Assists clients in sophisticated planning for estates involving family partnerships, irrevocable trusts, life insurance trusts, grantor-retained annuity trusts (GRATs) and charitable trusts.

• Counsels personal representatives, guardians and trustees in the administration of decedent's probate estates, conservatorships/guardianships, and administration of trusts.

• Represents clients in private adoption matters.

Business & Professional Affiliations:

• Evansville Bar Association, Board of Directors (1993-1995); Member Probate Section (Chairman 1994-1995)

• Evansville Bar Association Foundation Board of Directors (2002-2007) (Treasurer 2005-2007)

• Indiana State Bar Association

• American Bar Association

• Certified Estate Planning & Administration Specialist (2008-present)

Community/Civic Affiliations:

• Evansville Estate & Financial Planning Council, Member (Past President)

• Daughters of Charity Foundation (Advisory Committee 1995-1999)

• Evansville Zoological Society, Inc./Friends of Mesker Park Zoo (Past Director; Executive Council) (1987-2005)

• Catholic Charities Bureau, Evansville Diocese (President 2002-2003, Past Director (1990-1996 & 1998-2004)

• Tales & Scales, Inc. (Past Director) (1993-2007)

• Deaconess Hospital Ethics Committee (Member)

• The Women’s Hospital Perinatal/Women's Health Ethics Committee (Member)

• City of Evansville Police Merit Commission (Commissioner, Vice President)

• Holy Spirit Catholic Church/School (Past Member Parish Council School Board)

Publications & Seminar Presentations:

• Deaconess Ethics Grand Rounds - "Substituted Consent to Medical Treatment – Statutory Provisions & Advance Directives"

• University of Evansville, panelist for "Wills, Trusts, and Estate Tax Updates - Understand How 2011 Laws Affect You"

• Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum (ICLEF), "Will & Trust Drafting", "General Drafting Considerations", "Ethical Issues in Representing Multiple Constituents in Family & Closely-Held Businesses", "Ethical Problems in Estate & Guardianship Administration"

• National Business Institute, "The Probate Process From Start to Finish in Indiana", "Key Issues in Estate Planning and Probate in Indiana" , "Probate Practice: The Essential Basics", "Drafting Effective Wills & Trusts"

• St. Mary's Medical Center Medical Ethics Program Panelist, "To Treat or Not to Treat: A Question of Good Stewardship"

• Deaconess Hospital - Medical Ethics Program Presentation, "Complementary Medicine: Offering a Balance of Body, Mind & Spirit - An Ethical Perspective"

• Deaconess Health Systems Ethics Retreats, "Informed Consent & Advance Directives", "Legal Dimensions of Life", "Ethical Issues in Behavioral Care"