Experienced Attorney Helping You Protect Your Assets and Your Family.
I have been practicing law for 25 years. My primary focus is helping clients with their estate planning. It all happened becauseI was out with friends one evening, having left my 3 small children with a teenage babysitter and I thought, what if I was severaly injured in a car accident on the way home, or worse yet, died? As a parent of small children, I agonized for days and weeks choosing their daycare (on more than one occasion). Yet, I didn't have anything in place to protect them if I became disabled or died. I had life insurance, but that's only money. Who would raise my children like I would?
If I was hospitalized, who would pay my bills? Nowadays, most of us pay our bills on-line. Who knows your passwords? Who even knows what bills need to be paid?
My answer to all of these questions was easy and frightening - I hadn't done anything to protect my children if something happened to me. I quickly realized that if I hadn't done anything to protect my family, my clients probably hadn't either.
It really is surprisingly simple process to protect your assets and your children. I use plain English to explain everything to you, so you get exactly what you need.
The secret is that adoptions are my favorite area to practice. Helping people create a forever family is the most fulfilling thing I do professionally.
I also practice in the area of collaborative divorce. I enjoy helping people keep their focus on what's best for their children and negotiating a fair division of their assets and liabilities, so families can move forward with their lives. In a collaborative divorce, both parties are still represented by theri own attorney, but you also have access to a mental health divorce coach, a financial expert who serves as a neutral for both parties, and a mental health child specialist (if needed). The parties sign a Participation Agreement that they will work throught their issues with the various professionals and not litigiate their divorce in court. I think of collaborative divorce as the healthier way to get divorced.
Practice areas
Wills (estate planning) includes will-based plan, trust-based plans, Financial Powers of Attorney, Healthcare Powers of Attorney and Living Wills
25 years
Family law includes divorce, collaborative divorce, and adoption.
25 years
25 years
Adoptions include step parent adoptions, adoptions for same sex couples, and international adoptions
25 years
Guardianships are established to care for someone if they are incapacitated/disabled and Conservatorships are established to manage someone's finances if they are incapacitated/disabled.
25 years
Languages spoken
English
Watke, Polk & Sena, LLP
2712 S 87th Ave
Omaha, NE, 68124-3045
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
NE | Active | 1996 | 02/07/2021 |
Legal answers | 33 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
---|---|---|
2016 Nationally Ranked Top 10 Attorney Award | National Academy Of Family Law Attorneys | 2016 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Partner | Watke, Polk & Sena, LLP | 2014 - Present |
Owner | Joan Watke Stacy, PC, LLO | 1996 - 2014 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Lambda Legal | Cooperating Attorney | 2013 - Present |
PFLAG National | Board of Directors Member | 2012 - 2016 |
PFLAG National | Central Regional Director | 2010 - 2016 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Creighton University School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 1996 |
University of Nebraska, Omaha | BS - Bachelor of Science | 1990 |
University of Nebraska, Omaha | MBA - Master of Business Administration | N/A |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Advanced Issues in Family Law | Non-Traditional Families | 2015 |
Advanced Issues in Family Law | Advanced Issues in Contempt | 2015 |
Posted by Jane
Sat Jan 09 2016
Posted by Christi
Tue Feb 23 2016
Posted by Abra
Thu Jan 28 2016
Posted by Janet
Sat Jan 23 2016
Posted by Eli
Fri Jan 22 2016
Posted by zack
Thu Jan 14 2016
Posted by Kelly
Thu Jan 14 2016
Posted by Kathy
Tue Jan 12 2016
Posted by Scott
Tue Jan 12 2016
Posted by anonymous
Tue Jan 12 2016
Alexander McAtee, Family Attorney on Dec 20, 2016
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer.
Catherine Swiniarski, Family Attorney on Jan 20, 2016
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I have referred clients to Joanie for over 5 years. She has always given them exceptional service and exceptional results. I will continue to refer clients to her with confidence in the future.
Matthew Lenza, Estate planning Attorney on Jan 17, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Ms. Stacy is clearly a knowledgeable attorney in her various practice areas. I endorse her,
Karen Vervaecke, Family Attorney on Jan 14, 2016
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I endorse this lawyer. I have known Joni professionally and personally for 20 years. She is professional, ethical and caring. She is reasonable to work with and advocates for her clients very well.
Cash, Check, Credit Card