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Services We Provide

We are not a full service firm. In order to develop focused expertise, Chipman Cook assists clients in areas of law that directly affect financial and property decisions. Our hallmark is personal attention throughout each phase of representation. We offer service in estate planning, business law, real estate matters, and bankruptcy.

Estate Planning

Estate Planning deals with wills, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships, probate proceedings, non-probate transfers, beneficiary deeds, powers of attorney, advanced directives on healthcare, and more. All of these services affect what will occur with clients' property, children, and healthcare service when they become incapacitated or pass away. Proper estate planning avoids unnecessary taxes, probate expenses, and discord among relatives. Even the youthful need a proper estate plan!

Let's say you own a car, a house, and some stock or savings. Will you avoid the costs of probate because your will grants everything to your two daughters? Absolutely not. Creating a will is a start, but a will does not avoid the expense of probate, which can be roughly 5% of the value of your estate! You need a beneficiary deed for your house, and you need to re-title your car and liquid-asset accounts. If your property involves more complexity, you might instead consider a living trust. In either case, we can guide you through the proper estate plan.

Business Law

We routinely help small business owners and managers to organize, to create form contracts, to negotiate transactions, and to collect on debts and liens. Many individuals involved in small businesses believe they can operate without legal advice, only to find themselves or a friend lose money later because of a bad contract or unwise transaction. Invest in proper legal advice up front in order to set your business in order.

Just this month, we have provided numerous services to help small businesses to organize their affairs. We created form employment contracts for a construction company. We created licensing agreements for a software startup. We drafted and negotiated a buy-sell agreement for a real-estate appraisal business. We helped a remodeling business, previously operating as a sole proprietorship, organize as an L.L.C. so the owner can reduce exposure to personal liability. We levied liens and, separately, wrote a commercial real-estate purchase contract for a plumbing company. As with these clients, we can provide your business the assistance necessary for success.

Real Estate Law

Chipman Cook offers service on real-estate matters including deeds, contracts, closings, leases, foreclosures, and title disputes. We regularly assist clients in drafting or reviewing the documents necessary to buy and sell real estate. We also help clients resolve the unique dilemmas that arise with real estate ownership and tenancy, such as disputes over title with neighbors or prior owners, and problems with liens or foreclosures involving a debtor or creditor. We can assist if you are dealing in real estate.

Bankruptcy

No firm is more effective than Chipman Cook in personal bankruptcy. For clients facing overwhelming debt that they cannot repay, we offer efficient relief from garnishment, property seizure, and collection agents. If a client (and spouse) earns just enough to meet reasonable living expenses, that client (and spouse) can probably qualify for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. That means a complete, immediate discharge from most or all debt. If a client (and spouse) earns more than what is necessary for living expenses, but still not enough to pay for all debts, then the client (and spouse) may qualify for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy. In that case, the client would repay creditors only what is available after living expenses, through a plan lasting from 3 to 5 years. After completing the plan, the client is discharged from the residual debt. Whether it is Chapter 7 or 13 that suits an individuals needs, we have the expertise to assist them through financial difficulty.