More about divorces: I know that many couples successfully handle their own divorces. But I cannot recommend do-it-yourself divorces in any but the most uncomplicated situations. If you have children, or if you have accumulated any property at all, you should have competent representation. Trying to properly represent oneself during one of the most emotionally difficult experiences anyone can experience is asking for trouble. I will not assist do-it-yourselfers, because I have found that few will follow my advice anyway.

Estate planning: I prepare relatively simple Wills and their companion documents, such as Living Wills, Durable Powers of Attorney, and the like (these are often called "advance directives"). However, estate planning that involves complicated tax planning is best handled by attorneys who specialize in that area, so I am happy to refer clients who need more than what I am qualified to do. I know several attorneys in both Wyoming and Colorado in whom I have confidence who orient their practices toward complicated estate planning. I can provide their names on request. I do not recommend that "estate planners" who are not attorneys be used, because it has been my experience that most of them are selling a product (usually insurance or investments), not properly planning estate distribution. I also do not recommend the use of will and advance directive forms available from either the Internet or the local stationery store, because the danger of doing things wrong by filling in the blanks incorrectly is too great.

Real estate: I enjoy real estate transactions, especially residential transactions. I have many years of experience and extra training in real estate. Real estate truthfully is one of the more complicated areas of the law. It makes little sense to me to buy or sell the single most expensive item that most ordinary people will ever own, without competent legal advice. It is not my purpose to denigrate real estate sales people, but they are not qualified to give legal advice, just as attorneys are not qualified to be real estate sales people. In my opinion, you need legal advice to complete any for sale by owner (FSBO) transaction, and you should have an experienced attorney review all documents in any Realtor managed transaction.

Tax free exchanges: I have had extra training in IRC 1031 tax free exchanges so that I can review them for propriety. I do not prepare the necessary documents and strongly recommend that experienced professionals specializing in tax free exchanges be engaged to prepare them.

Real estate developments, covenants, zoning: I have been involved in all of these, and good legal advice is essential. Often the need arises because of poorly drafted development plans, ambiguous covenants, and inadequate consideration of zoning requirements. The sooner these issues can be addressed, the fewer problems will arise.

Litigation: I have spent many hours of many days in the court room in more than 37 years of practice. I firmly believe that it is not the place to solve problems, unless there is no other solution. Litigation is not fun or exciting for most participants; it is emotionally trying, expensive, time consuming, and seldom cathartic.   Mediation and arbitration, also known as Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), is still not used as often as it should be. More importantly, using honesty and common sense in the first place would prevent a lot of litigation.