Tammy Combest
Ms. Combest concentrates her practice in Elder Law, which combines traditional estate and gift planning with today’s elder estate planning tools, such as powers of attorney, (financial and medical) and asset protection trusts to minimize the financial impact of rehab and long-term nursing home costs. She has enjoyed meeting with couples, individuals, seniors and their families and learning of their circumstances to construct a customized plan toward their legal, financial, and healthcare goals.
Ms. Combest obtained her law degree from the University of Louisville, Brandeis School of Law (J.D. 1992), having graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in philosophy (B.A. 1987). Ms. Combest first served as Law Clerk to the Honorable John G. Heyburn II, United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky (1992-1994), and then entered private practice. Ms. Combest handled civil cases in state and federal courts to defend business owners, construction companies, physicians, nurses, and dentists, and other insureds against tort and contract claims. She represented both insureds and insurance companies in circuit court litigation throughout the commonwealth. Ms. Combest also served as Staff Attorney in the Chambers of (retired) Honorable James D. Moyer, U.S. Magistrate Judge, W.D. Ky.
Ms. Combest is admitted to the bar in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the United States District Court, W.D. Ky., and the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Ms. Combest’s bar memberships include Wealth Counsel, Elder Counsel, the Kentucky Bar Association (Elder Law Section), and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.
As a Louisville native, Ms. Combest trained in the performing arts and is a classical soprano and pianist. Ms. Combest’s husband, Steven W. Smith, M.D., practices medicine in Shelby County and is a native of Oldham County. Together, they enjoy golf, boating, and a blended family of six children (in high school and graduate schools). Ms. Combest keeps close ties with family in and around parts of Columbia, Adair County, Kentucky.
Hartfield Elder Law
“Hartfield” is the name of an English estate in the fiction of 18th century author, Jane Austen. Austen depicts “Hartfield” as the family home of an elder/widower who, if you can imagine, likely displayed dementia symptoms. The elder’s daughter remained at “Hartfield” during her father’s sunset years to provide care and companionship — with a dose of wit, patience, and gentleness. “Hartfield” was an idyllic place, but this situation rings true to many of us who care for a parent or elder with dementia. I first read Jane Austen’s novels thirty years ago during law school as a respite from legal writing and study. I could not fathom then that my sister and I would one day care for, first, our father with dementia, and then our mother with Alzheimer’s disease. I’d like to think our mother, a retired English teacher, would appreciate the nod to “Hartfield.” Many elder law attorneys have some version of this story that motivated them to practice in this field with empathy and compassion. My family’s journey, through elder planning and crisis, certainly yields the same for me.
Hartfield Elder Law is a practice of Combest Law, LLC.