Elizabeth “Liz” Wieneke is a dedicated estate planning, elder law and estate administration, real estate and business law attorney, serving clients across Kentucky and Illinois. A longstanding Member at Whitlow, Roberts, Houston & Straub, PLLC, she brings nearly two decades‑ of experience and deep local knowledge to each client’s case.

Practice Areas & Services:

• Real Estate & Property Law
• Estate Planning
• Elder Law & Estate Administration
• Business & Corporate Law
• Litigation & Dispute Resolution

Legal Background & Professional Experience:

Born and raised in Metropolis, Illinois, Liz now resides in Murray, Kentucky. She began her legal career at WRHS soon after graduating from Southern Illinois University School of Law in May 2007. In August 2007, she joined the firm as an Associate and advanced to Member/Partner status in January 2015.

 While in law school, she served as a research assistant to multiple law professors, interned with the Massac County State’s Attorney, worked with the SIU Elder Clinic, and contributed to the Southern Illinois University Law Journal. These roles deepened her expertise in property, elder law, and public service.

Real Estate & Property Law

Liz’s real estate practice encompasses residential, commercial, agricultural, and mineral rights matters. Her services include: 

• Title examinations and resolving title defects
• Facilitating real estate closings (cash and lender financed‑)
• Drafting and reviewing deeds, mortgages, purchase and sale agreements, and easements
• Preparing and negotiating lease agreements, boundary agreements, mineral interest matters, and easement agreements
• Assisting with planning and zoning matters

Estate Planning, Elder Law & Estate Administration

Liz advises individuals, families, trustees, and personal representatives in estate planning and administration matters: 

• Creating customized Last Will and Testaments and Trust Agreements (revocable trusts, irrevocable trusts, testamentary trusts, special needs trusts, trusts for farm and family business planning, and others)
• Drafting Durable Powers of Attorney and Living Will Directives (health care directives)
• Handling probate and estate administration, including contested and uncontested estates, creditor claims, Executor, Administrator, Trustee and beneficiary representation
• Consulting and preparing documents to assist with elder law matters such as advising regarding the Medicaid application process and other long-term care planning concerns (whether advance planning or addressing current needs)

Business & Corporate Law

 Liz’s business practice is closely integrated with her estate work. Her services include:

• Structuring and forming LLCs, corporations, partnerships, and nonprofit entities
• Drafting operating agreements, bylaws, stock restriction agreements, buy-sell‑ agreements, share transfers, and promissory notes
• Handling business acquisitions, dissolutions, and contract review
• Assisting with employment and independent contractor agreements, including EEOC and compliance matters

Litigation & Dispute Resolution

Liz has substantial litigation experience in her core areas: 

• Foreclosure, quiet title, and boundary disputes
• Petitions for declaratory judgment, trust interpretation, and trust disputes
• Minors’ settlements, eviction cases, and collection actions
• Petitions to approve the sale of real estate in estates, partition actions, and related procedural work
• Planning and zoning matters

Education & Credentials:

• J.D., cum laude, Southern Illinois University School of Law, 2007
  – Articles Editor, SIU Law Journal
  – Highest grade honors in Property I and Lawyering Skills II
• B.A., summa cum laude, Murray State University, 2004
  – Member of Psi Chi (Psychology Honor Society)
  – Recognized as an Outstanding PreLaw‑ Student

 Licenses & Professional Affiliations:

• Kentucky Bar Association
  – Elder Law Section | Probate & Trust Section | Real Property Law Section
  – Former Young Lawyers Division Executive Committee Member
• Illinois Bar Association
• Kentucky Bar Foundation – Lawyer’s CARE Program
  – Instructor and Coordinator roles supporting financial education in high schools
• Leadership Paducah, Class #24 (2010–2011)
• Young Lawyer Service to Community Award, Kentucky Bar Association, 2016

Community Leadership:

Liz is actively engaged in nonprofit and civic endeavors across Western Kentucky, including:

• PAHMAC (Purchase Area Mental Health & Aging Coalition) – Presenter and Past Board Officer
• Embracing the Aged Foundation – Attorney and Board Liaison
• West Kentucky Community & Technical College – Presenter and Program Author
• Murray State University – Presenter and Program Author
• National Business Institute – Presenter and Author
• University of Kentucky Office of Continuing Legal Education – Presenter and Author
• Support for senior citizen centers, mental health advocacy, and domestic violence and aging support organizations

Personal:

Growing up on a farm in Southern Illinois planted the seeds to grow Ms. Wieneke’s later area of law practice to help farmers and other business owners ensure they have a succession plan and the appropriate documents in place to pass their hard earned and well curated businesses on to the next generation. Ms. Wieneke returns to Southern Illinois frequently to visit family and serves clients in the area as well.

After attending Murray State University and Southern Illinois University School of Law, she later came back to Murray, Kentucky and lives with her husband and two bonus daughters. A proud member of the Murray-Calloway County community and MSU Alum, she regularly participates in on campus events and enjoys taking advantage of the programs and facilities available to community members. She was happy to help facilitate the opening of the Murray branch of the firm in spring of 2025.

In her free time, she enjoys hiking, traveling, attending local community theater productions, taking classes at the Murray Art Guild and pursuing other creative endeavors.