About Us

James K. Voelz

James K. Voelz was born and raised in Columbus, Indiana. He has an undergraduate degree from Hanover College and a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from Indiana University at Indianapolis. Jim has practiced law in Columbus since 1975. He is a member of Hoosier Hills Estate Planning Council, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the Indiana State Bar Association, and its Elder Law and Probate, Trust, and Real Property Sections, and the National Citizens’ Coalition For Nursing Home Reform. Jim has also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Indiana Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. Jim serves on the Committee on Character and Fitness of the Supreme Court of Indiana. He is also a member of the Public Policy Advisory Committee of the Alzheimer’s Association.

Jim has written numerous articles, including:

Estate and Disability Planning
Blended Family Estate Planning
Medicaid Qualification Planning
Should You Have A Revocable Living Trust?
The Medicaid Maze
Reasons For Parents With Minor Children To Do Estate Planning
Risks Involved In Gifting Your Property
Helping Our Clients With Their Advance Directives (presented at an elder law training for attorneys in 2006)
Deceptive Practices And Professional Responsibility Involving Revocable Living Trust Estate Plans (presented at an elder law training for attorneys in 2007)
Power Of Attorney Issues – An Elder Law Attorney’s Perspective (presented at an elder law training for attorneys in 2008)

Jim has also spoken to numerous groups, including presentations sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association, Irwin Union Bank & Trust Company, Columbus Regional Hospital Foundation, Decatur County Memorial Hospital, Bartholomew/Brown/Decatur County Chapter of American Red Cross, Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum, Hoosier Hills Estate Planning Council, Indiana Society of Public Accountants, Indiana Forestry and Woodlands Owners Association, Hospice of South Central Indiana, Keepsake Village of Columbus, Centra Credit Union, Salin Bank and Trust Company, Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce, Brown County Resource Center, Senior Center Services of Bartholomew County, Columbus Health and Rehabilitation Center, Indiana Bank and Trust Company, Miller's Merry Manor, Four Seasons Retirement Center, and Parkside Court.

Blake C. Reed

Blake C. Reed grew up in Kokomo, Indiana. He graduated cum laude from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and earned his Juris Doctor degree cum laude from Indiana University School of Law – Indianapolis. During law school, Blake served as Articles Editor of the Indiana Health Law Review. He was also the recipient of the Forrest Jump Scholarship.

Blake joined Voelz Law, LLC in 2008, and he will practice in all of the firm’s practice areas. He is certified to provide advice and help to wartime veterans who can benefit from the VA Aid and Attendance pension.

Blake has written an article about various residential, assisted living, and nursing home facilities in Bartholomew, Brown, Jackson, Jennings, and Decatur counties.

Roger A. Walby

Roger A. Walby is a paralegal who has extensive training and experience involving Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security. He has a Masters of Arts Degree from Calvary Theological Seminary. He has been a contributing author of Legal Reference For Older Hoosiers published by the Indiana Bar Foundation. He has also written a book entitled Reaching For Heaven, A Minister’s Journey Through Grief. Roger is a certified Senior Health Insurance Information Program Counselor dealing with long-term care insurance. He is also a long-term Ombudsman who deals with nursing home complaints. He has many years experience with Indiana Legal Services Organization as a paralegal dealing with a variety of elder law matters.

Dianna L. Freese

Dianna L. Freese has provided services as a legal assistant with the firm for more than 20 years. Dianna resides in Brown County with her husband. She has 3 children and 5 grandchildren. Dianna works primarily on trust and estate settlements. She has a wealth of expertise and experience in all aspects of estate and trust settlements.

Emmeline C. McWilliams

Emmeline C. McWilliams grew up in Savannah, Georgia, where her father practices law. She graduated from Agnes Scott College in Atlanta, Georgia. She works primarily in the areas of client relations, file management, and document preparation. She resides in Columbus with her husband.

Liza M. Spencer

Liza M. Spencer began work with the firm as a cooperative education student when she attended high school. She has more than 13 years of experience as a legal assistant in our office. She works primarily in the area of trust and estate settlements. She resides in Columbus with her husband and 4 children.

Linda S. Chilcote

Linda S. Chilcote grew up in Indianapolis and attended Indiana University. Linda’s husband is an attorney in Greenwood, Indiana. She and her husband have 5 children. Linda works primarily in the areas of Medicaid and document preparation.

Peggy N. Voelz

Peggy N. Voelz works part-time for the firm. She handles the accounting, payroll, and tax matters.

Voelz Law, LLC • (812) 372-1303 • 427 Washington St. • P.O. Box 544 • Columbus, IN 47202