General Practice

• Administrative Law

  The growth of local, state and federal government has resulted in large amounts of complicated agency and department rules that businesses and consumers must comply with when interacting with government on every level. Many types of businesses and activities are heavily regulated (such as telecommunications, certain professions, and federal elections) and require the assistance of legal counsel to comply with the rules and procedures.

• Probate Estate Planning

  The word “probate” refers to the legal process of proving or determining the existence of a valid will, or if there is no will, the process of determining legal heirs. Depending upon the circumstances of each individual situation, the probate process may or may not be necessary to properly transfer assets of a decedent to his or her beneficiaries or heirs.

• Estate Planning

  Estate planning is the process of consulting with your lawyer, accountant, and insurance agent to determine and implement your desires regarding your property (both real and personal) and your minor children. The process of estate planning with your lawyer will involve the discussion of your desires, and can involve the drafting of a will, a simple living trust, a trust that comes into existence on your death, or more complicated trusts. Since no one can take their property with them, a will or a trust is an important document that everyone should have.

• Family Law

  Family law deals with a wide variety of family issues such as marriage, divorce, adoption, child custody issues, visitation, alimony, and estate planning.

• Real Estate

  Real estate law deals with a wide variety of real estate transactions, including: sale, lease, purchase, mortgage, options to purchase or sell, development, and construction. Real estate lawyers frequently draft and interpret purchase agreements, leases, contracts for deed, mortgages, options to purchase, and easements. In addition, litigation is necessary to enforce an interest in real estate, such as a mortgage, an easement, or a purchase agreement.

• Tax Law

  While South Dakota doesn’t have an income tax, South Dakota residents do pay a wide variety of taxes, including federal income taxes, sales tax, and real property taxes. Common general tax law issues involve audits, calculating the amount of certain taxes, determining how to structure a proposed transaction to minimize tax liability, and communication with government authorities.

• Trust Law

  A trust is a legal entity, created with the assistance of a lawyer, that can hold personal property and real estate. Trusts can be simple or complicated, and are frequently used as an estate planning device and a tool to avoid probate.