Paul Bradford is a trusted Estate Planning, Probate, Real Estate, and Business Law attorney based in Paducah, Kentucky, and a Member at Whitlow, Roberts, Houston & Straub, PLLC. He focuses on helping individuals, families, and business owners protect what matters most through smart legal planning and personalized counsel. 

Practice Areas & Services:

• Trusts & Estate Planning
• Probate & Estate Administration
• Federal Estate & Inheritance Tax Planning
• Real Estate Transactions
• Business and Corporate Law
• Planning & Zoning Law 

Legal Background and Professional Experience

 Estate Planning & Trusts

Paul helps clients design effective estate plans that reflect their goals and values. His work includes creating Wills, Revocable Living Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Living Will Directives, and advanced planning tools like Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs), Special Needs Trusts, Asset Protection Trusts, and Charitable Trusts. He also assists with family farm succession planning and wealth preservation strategies that address estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes.

Experienced Probate & Trust Administration

Prior to joining the firm, Paul led a local trust department, gaining hands-on experience in Trust Administration, Probate Estate Administration, and Wealth Management. Whether guiding executors, trustees, or beneficiaries, he provides compassionate, knowledgeable support through every stage of the probate process.

Real Estate and Business Law Services

As a skilled Real Estate Attorney in Western Kentucky, Paul advises clients on buying, selling, and exchanging property—including 1031 like-kind exchanges. His corporate law practice includes business formation, succession planning, and drafting and negotiating operating agreements, buy-sell agreements, employment contracts, NDAs, and non-compete agreements for small to mid-size businesses.

Education & Credentials:

• J.D., University of Louisville, Brandeis School of Law, 2013
  (Chair, Honor Council; Treasurer, Student Bar Association)
• B.B.A., University of Kentucky, Gatton College of Business and Economics, 2008
• Licensed in Kentucky and admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky.

 Bar Admissions & Professional Affiliations

• Kentucky Bar Association
• Treasurer, Probate & Trust Law Section
• Former Member, Malpractice Task Force & Communications Committee
• McCracken County Bar Association
• Kentucky Bar Foundation, Life Fellow

Community Leadership

Paul is an active leader in the Paducah community: 

• President, River Discovery Center (2024–25)
• Board Member, Baptist Health Paducah Foundation
• Board Member, Rotary Club of Paducah
• Former Commissioner, Paducah Planning Commission (2014–23)
• Legal Counsel, Paducah Planning Commission (2023–25)

He also previously served on boards for Habitat for Humanity, Paducah Young Professionals, and Carson Park.

Personal

Born in Bowling Green and raised in Mayfield, Paul has called Paducah home since 2013. He and his wife Kelsie are proud parents of two energetic boys.