$ 450-450 per hour
PRO
Joan Watke
also known as Joni Watke
Virtual Consultation Available
About Joan
Biography
I have been practicing law for nearly 30 years. I practice in the area of family law. I enjoy helping people keep their focus on what's best for their children (if they have children) and negotiating a fair division of their assets and liabilities, so people can move forward with their lives.
I also enjoy helping clients with their estate planning. It all happened because I was out with friends one evening, having left my 3 small children with a teenage babysitter and I thought, what if I was severely 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 as I would?
If I was hospitalized, who would pay my bills? Nowadays, most of us pay our bills online. 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.
If a loved one becomes incapacitated and doesn't have Powers of Attorney in place, I help their folks establish guardianship and conservatorship to help them care for their loved ones.
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 have a passion for helping LGBTQ+ clients and their allies. I provide a safe, healthy, and supportive place for my LGBTQ+ clients within all my areas of practice. I also help trangender clients with name changes.
Experienced Attorney Helping You Protect Your Assets and Your Family - Call 402-578-0662 today!
Experienced Attorney Helping You and Your Children.
Helping create your forever family, including step parent, same sex couples & internat'l adoptions
Helping ease the process when a loved one needs help with their health care/financial decisions.
Here to help ease the process of probating an estate when you when you lose a loved one
Making sure that you have all the documents you need to protect your family and your assets.
Practice Areas
6
Practice Areas
Family
25%
30 years
Wills and Living Wills
25%
30 years
Adoption
15%
30 years
Probate
15%
30 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Awards
2016
Licenses
Licensed in Nebraska for 29 years
State: Nebraska
Acquired: 1996
No misconduct found
Location
Online Presence
Other places you can find Joan online.
Joan Watke's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
21 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (21)
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 5 of 8 reviews | Divorce & Separation
Posted by zack | January 14, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
Excellent Attorney
Joan helped me with my divorce. When I came into her office I was distraught and had no idea what to do or where to turn. She was very patient with me and walked me through the entire process from beginning to end. I know that there were times when I must have been bugging the heck out of her with...
Posted by anonymous | January 12, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
A lawyer you can trust
Joan Watke Stacy has been my attorney for over 15 years. She is smart, direct, caring and ethical. Over the course of the past 12 years my ex-husband has been in contempt of our divorce decree and parenting plan several times. On each occurrence, Joni's ability to effectively communicate with my e...
Posted by Molly | January 11, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
Excellent lawyer
Joan Watke Stacy handled my divorce and my will. I would highly recommend her as a lawyer. She is knowledgeable, efficient, and she thoroughly answered all of my questions. I am so grateful that I hired her for my divorce. I have referred many of my friends to her, and I will continue to seek her hel...
Posted by Jerry | January 10, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
Very Professional
I hired Joan to help with changes to a QDRO associated with my pension fund. Joan did a great job of explaining what needed to be done and working with me and the contact in my pension department. Her work was thorough and professional. Joan prepared and filed all the required legal paperwork and...
Posted by Jane | January 10, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
Simply the best!
Joan has been my lawyer for years. She has always given me practical options and has guided me through child custody, divorce, and updating my will. If you want down to earth, friendly and timely legal services Joan is the very best choice!
Joan Watke's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer."
"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."
"Ms. Stacy is clearly a knowledgeable attorney in her various practice areas. I endorse her,"
"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."
Jerry Sena
Criminal defense lawyer
Experience
Honors
2016
2016 Nationally Ranked Top 10 Attorney Award, National Academy Of Family Law Attorneys
Work Experience
2014 - Present
Partner, Watke, Polk & Sena, LLP
1996 - 2014
Owner, Joan Watke, PC, LLO
Associations
2013 - Present
Lambda LegalCooperating Attorney
2012 - 2016
PFLAG NationalBoard of Directors Member
2010 - 2016
PFLAG NationalCentral Regional Director
Education
1996
Creighton University School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1990
University of Nebraska, Omaha
BS - Bachelor of Science
N/A
University of Nebraska, Omaha
MBA - Master of Business Administration
Speaking Engagements
2015
Advanced Issues in Family Law
Non-Traditional Families
2015
Advanced Issues in Family Law
Advanced Issues in Contempt
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
My nieces mom passed away & her husband wants to adopt her can he legally force my brother into terminating his parental rights?
07 May 2025
Q&A
Adoption after bio dad passed
05 May 2024
Q&A
If I have full custody of my older son, and I were to die, would my new husband retain custody if my will say so?
31 Jan 2023