Estate Planning & Probate

Wills

Most wills are "simple" to make and are not complicated to write, but individuals may have questions that a lawyer can assist them with. If you have specific questions please click here.

Trusts

A trust should be developed so that it will meet the client's specific goals. If you have a particular question about a trust please click here.

Power of Attorney

A power of attorney is a legal document that permits a person or entity to act on your behalf when you are not available to act for yourself or are incapable of acting for yourself ("attorney-in-fact"). A power of attorney typically gives another person control over a broad range of an individual's personal affairs or for a specified transaction, such as the power to sell real estate. To learn more click here.

Advanced Medical Directives

An Advanced Medical Directive is the way by statute that individuals are permitted to appoint a person to act on their behalf when seriously ill or injured or mentally incapacitated and cannot make their own decisions regarding health care. These documents also include choices for individuals to select the level of medical treatment that they want. To learn more click here.

Probate

When a person dies without a will someone may be appointed to take care of, or wrap up the decedent's personal affairs. This person, once appointed, is known as an "Administrator". An Executor essentially serves in the same role as an Administrator, but is named by the decedent through a will.

Administrators and Executors should carry out their duties to properly administer and distribute the decedent's estate; prepare the inventory and accounting; and make necessary decisions about how and when to distribute property to heirs or beneficiaries. If you have a specific question about Probate procedures, please click here.

Business Law for Small Businesses

Business Entity Formation

Each type of business entity has different features and purposes. Small business owners might want help to determine which type of entity is most appropriate for the type and size of the business, or to understand the options available for business formation to grow a business. If you have a question about small business operations, please click here.

Contracts

Most businesses deal with other businesses. To ensure that a business owner obtains what is expects when it buys supplies to manufacture the goods it makes; to purchase the materials it needs to carry out its business; or to hire necessary professional services to assist in its operations. Businesses should also ensure that each transaction or agreement entered into is covered by a written, legally binding agreement. If you have a particular question about a contract or a business operation, please click here.

Government Regulations

Government regulations are a large part of doing business. To comply with government regulations, in many cases, business owner must understand the applicable regulations, plan for the regulations in their financing, and understand how to continue to comply with them. Many government regulations come in the form of permitting or licensing. Permitting and licensing usually amounts to filing paper work that demonstrates how a business owner plans to comply with regulations. Typically, permitting and licensing involves paying fees and requirements for subsequent inspections and/or reporting. If you have a particular question regarding a regulation, permit, or license, please click here.

Regulatory and Environmental Law

Regulatory law or "administrative law" is the law related to the procedures that government agencies must provide for citizens and entities that an agency regulates to redress the government. Regulatory or administrative law covers many topics, including the regulation of transportation, food and drugs, and the environment. To learn more click here.

Environmental laws are specifically aimed to provide government agencies with the authority to regulate activities that impact the environment. Environmental law impacts a broad range of businesses and industry. Most environmental laws are overseen by both federal and state agencies. To learn more click here.

Going Green

Read more about Going Green, and If you have a particular question about an environmental topic, please click here.