Kelly J. Benson

Kelly J. Benson is senior counsel at Bassford Remele, where her practice focuses on trust and estate administration and probate. She has guided hundreds of families through the process of managing and distributing a deceased person’s assets, including farm, ranch, and closely held family business interests. Benson handles both routine and complex estate matters, helping clients address administrative requirements, asset transfers, and family concerns with practical and personalized legal guidance.

Benson earned her J.D. from the University of Nebraska College of Law and her B.S. from Indiana University. Her legal career began as a legal secretary while she completed her undergraduate studies, giving her early exposure to law firm operations and client service. She later spent three years working as a law clerk in Minnesota. Her education and early professional experience support a careful approach to probate and estate administration matters.

Before joining Bassford Remele, Benson spent 15 years serving the Diocese of Sioux Falls as in-house Legal Counsel, Lobbyist, and Director of the Office of Marriage, Family and Respect Life. That work gave her extensive experience advising organizations and working with families during difficult circumstances. She now draws on that background when assisting clients with estate administration, including matters involving family-owned businesses, agricultural property, and other assets that may require careful coordination and planning.

Kelly J. Benson is licensed to practice in South Dakota and Minnesota. She is a member of the South Dakota State Bar Association and Minnesota State Bar Association and belongs to the Sioux Falls Estate Planning Council and St. Thomas More Society. Her combination of estate administration experience, in-house legal service, and work with families supports a practice centered on clear communication, careful asset management, and practical guidance through the probate process.

Law Office Affiliations

• Senior Counsel, Bassford Remele
• Member, South Dakota State Bar Association
• Member, Minnesota State Bar Association

Licensed State

• Minnesota
• South Dakota

Education

• University of Nebraska College of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Indiana University
  Bachelor of Science (BS)

Awards & Badges