REAL ESTATE

Real property, whether it be a primary residence, rental property for extra income, rural “family land”, or investment property, is very important to Arkansans.  The services I provide in this area are varied and include:

  • drafting deeds to change ownership

  • preparing easements to grant access to property

  • negotiating the sale or purchase of commercial or residential real estate

  • advising real estate professionals

  • assisting buyers or sellers with FSBO transactions

  • reviewing and drafting real estate agreements such as leases and contracts for purchase

  • pursuing legal actions, such as quiet title suits, to solve issues

ESTATE PLANNING

Do you have loved ones that could outlive you or assets that could outlast you?  If so, you need an estate plan.  It does not have to be complicated or expensive; preparation is the key.  A modicum of planning now can avoid unnecessary expense, stress, and frustration in the future for you and your family. We can discuss options, including the following:

  • wills

  • revocable/ living/ inter vivos trusts

  • proper trust funding

  • beneficiary deeds

  • irrevocable trusts

  • durable powers of attorney

  • powers of attorney for healthcare

  • living wills

CRIMINAL DEFENSE

As a former prosecutor, I have a perspective on criminal defense that is unique.  I have personally seen the wide-ranging consequences that criminal offenses can have on victims, witnesses, defendants, family members, and communities. Unlike many criminal defense attorneys, I know what it feels like to be on the other side of a criminal case, working with law enforcement and juggling all of the considerations of being the state’s minister of justice.  I would be happy to discuss your misdemeanor or felony criminal case with you to see if my representation would be a good fit for both of us. While I am selective about which cases I accept, I consider the following types of cases:

  • traffic tickets

  • violations of ordinances

  • misdemeanor offenses

  • felony offenses in the state courts of Arkansas

  • petitions to seal or expungements

DOCUMENT REVIEW

Sometimes all a person knows they need is a better understanding of existing legal documents. I provide review of legal documents and analysis regarding their effect and/or the areas of particular concern to the client. I can review many types of legal documents, including the following:

  • deeds and other real estate documents

  • estate planning documents

  • proposed contracts

  • signed contracts

CONTRACTS

Signing a contract or entering into any binding agreement without fully understanding it can have dire consequences personally or for your business.  I can protect your best interests by reviewing and revising existing agreements or drafting new contracts to meet your needs.  Common needs in this area include:

  • preparing recurring service contracts for small businesses

  • reviewing documents related to the purchase or sale of a house or other asset

  • revising and drafting contracts that outline a business relationship

  • preparing documents to buy or sell an existing business




ESTATE AND TRUST ADMINISTRATION

When loved ones have failed to fully plan for the future, I can help you navigate the processes involved with transferring assets to the beneficiaries. Even if they have planned ahead with a will or trust, there will be some level of oversight and assistance from an attorney that can be extremely helpful and likely necessary. I can assist with the following:

  • probating a will

  • administering an estate when the deceased had no will

  • advising and assisting a trustee with trust administration

  • small estate process




SMALL BUSINESS

Whether starting a new business or trying to responsibly manage an existing business, legal issues will arise.  I can help you by spotting areas of vulnerability for your business and protecting your personal assets and those of your business. Some common scenarios that greatly benefit from the assistance of an attorney are:

  • formation of a new business entity

  • sale or purchase of an existing business

  • adding or removing business partners

  • preparing company documents to protect the owners