March 2009

PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES-WHERE TO BEGIN?

March 26, 2009 by Jerry · 5 Comments 

One day we will all require the services of a Personal Representative. In the meantime you yourself may be called upon to provide this essential, difficult, and yes, time consuming service to a friend or family member. The process of “putting to bed” the estate of the deceased involve several duties and responsibilities for the personal representative, that can take a year (or longer) to complete, along with the potential liabilities to the beneficiaries for any loss to the estate. Sound like fun? Read on……………..

Western Water Law or The Law Of I Got It First!

March 23, 2009 by Jerry · 2 Comments 

Most land in the western United States would be best described as worthless. That is, without water! While most lands east of the Mississippi River are riparian in nature, water rules are simple; if water runs on or below my land, it’s mine! In the west, water is literally king, and ownership is determined by the courts. Water appropriation first became an issue with the hydraulic mining of gold in the 1850’s, and the situation has only become more complex as the years passed. Read on……………..