A water right can be a key element associated with many Montana properties. It grants the owner the legal right to take a certain amount of water from a specific source, for a prescribed use across a defined section of land. Some water rights have persisted for more...
Southwest Montana Legal Blog
Can a negative easement help ease neighborly disputes?
At some point, most people will have a disagreement with a neighbor. For residents of rural Montana, land and home are things of great personal value and pride. As a property owner, you want to be able to enjoy your property the best you can, and sometimes, your...
How gun trusts have evolved
Gun trusts are not dissimilar to other trusts – a grantor places property into a trust under the administration of a trustee to be distributed to a beneficiary.There are differences, however. A gun trust can have multiple trustees and can last more than one...
Co-parenting after a divorce requires thoughtful planning
As a parent, the most important consideration in your life is the wellbeing and happiness of your children. While parents will do whatever is necessary to make their child’s life as painless and enjoyable as possible, sometimes life’s challenges are...
What are mineral rights?
Land ownership has been a historical dream for many families of all generations. It is one of the greatest ways to establish a place to call home. Many people earn a living on the land they own and raise their families to eventually own the land themselves one day....
What to know about finding hidden assets in divorce
Many people in the throes of divorce may be concerned about whether a spouse is hiding assets, especially if the suspected spouse is a C-level executive or runs a number of small businesses.A suspicious spouse may not have the resources to enlist a forensic accountant...
Can I divorce my spouse with dementia?
Not every spouse can care for their partner with significant medical needs by themselves. Often just the thought of leaving your significant other due to their illness will leave you with a feeling of overwhelming guilt. Remaining with a partner who is experiencing...
You can skip probate on your ranch when you die
Probate can take an enormous bite from your estate – your ranch and other real estate, vehicles, savings, everything. It also holds up distribution to your heirs. Is there a way around it?There is not just one way – there are a dozen ways or more. It may...
Keep your legacy and ranch in check with an estate plan
You love your Montana ranch. You take pride in what you’ve built. The ranch is more than a home. For you, your ranch is a way of life. The ranch is a place for family, work and fun. Now you have young ones on the ranch. You want the legacy of your ranch to carry...