- Divorce
- Child Custody and VisitationMuch of our practice involves the counseling and guidance of our clients away from legal problems or through legal challenges encountered in almost any aspect of the business world. We draft contracts as well as provide interpretation of contract provisions before signing. We do not handle child custody, divorce, criminal matters or personal injury, but are willing to help assist you in the search for an attorney who can help you in this regard.
- Criminal Defense
- Business DisputesWe offer a wide variety of services for the needs of businesses, from the formation of business entities, to the purchase and sale of existing businesses, to general small business representation, to closing services. If you are in business, or would like to be, we can help you with your business needs.
- Business Transactions
- Limited Liability CompaniesLike real property, business representation is a broad umbrella which encompasses a lot of different services. We represent buyers and sellers of businesses, from small to large, and assist with the due diligence necessary to such transactions. We also often act as a third-party escrow agent to conduct the closings of business purchases and sales, even when we do not represent either party. We counsel clients on what types of business entities may best serve their needs, and form the corporations, limited liability companies, and other entities which they decide are best for them. When persons have formed their own business entities, or have had their accountants do so, we can make such corrections as are needed to fix, complete, or update the necessary paperwork for their companies. We provide ongoing representation as needed for small businesses, and all the various issues which arise in the course of doing business, including contracts, the addition of new “partners”, and disputes with customers or other third-parties, or between co-owners.
- Employment Contract
- Real Estate LitigationEach member of our firm represents individuals and businesses in real property transactions which can be as simple as the buying of a house to the acquisition of shopping centers, commercial buildings or large parcels of agricultural land. We handle matters relating to title to real property and can draft deeds, deeds of trusts and various other documents affecting title to real property. We also handle matters relating to boundary disputes and acquisition of road access whether through grants of easement or court decree.
- Real Estate TransactionsRuss has handled real estate transactions since starting practice, and has specialized in commercial and investment real estate for over 40 years. He represents buyers and sellers, landlords and tenants in commercial transactions. With real estate investors, he advises on tax matters, property ownership (including formation of partnerships and limited liability companies) and contract and lease negotiation and preparation. He has handled IRC § 1031 tax deferred exchanges for clients since 1964 and often acts as a Qualified Intermediary for investment real property sellers.
- Landlord-Tenant DisputesHis broad real estate background includes the negotiation, purchase, sale, construction, leasing, and financing of residential, retail, commercial, and industrial properties, and ranges from landlord-tenant disputes and first-time home buyers to complex high-dollar commercial transactions and 1031 exchanges.
- Personal Injury
- Estate PlanningEstate planning is the process of legally structuring the future disposition of current and projected assets. When you plan ahead, estate planning typically attempts to eliminate uncertainties over the administration of a probate and to maximize the value of the estate by reducing taxes and other expenses. However, the ultimate goal of estate plan is determined by the specific goals of the client and may be as simple or complex as the client’s needs dictate. You make the choices and clearly define your requests for your family’s protection.
- WillsHis estate planning practice includes the preparation of wills, trusts, general durable powers of attorney, living wills and health care directives and powers of attorney, but most importantly, the consultation with clients to determine what tools will best serve their individual needs. Probate is the court process for administering estates and fulfilling the planning someone has done during their lifetime. In most cases in Colorado, probate can be handled “informally” without the need for hearings before a judge, and thus can be relatively short and inexpensive if there are no disputes among the heirs.
- TrustsRuss expanded his tax and estate planning work in the 1970s, taking a 10 week course in advanced estate planning at the University of Denver Law School. For most of the time since then, the federal death tax drove the estate planning field with the preparation of complex marital deduction and tax avoidance trusts, using both Wills and Living Trusts. In tax avoidance, he counsels clients on charitable trusts, irrevocable trusts, family limited partnerships, retirement planning, and personal residence trusts. Supplemental care or special needs trusts are also an important part of his practice.
- Power of Attorney
- Probate
- Tax Law