ABOUT US

We at the Law Office of Brent P. Collinson pride ourselves on providing our clients with not only the best legal services available, but also the most personal.

OUR APPROACH

Whether a court case has been filed or we are advising clients in a non-litigation matter, we try to be problem solvers, not problem makers.

OUR CLIENTS

We realize that both residents of and visitors to our beautiful part of the country - the Northern and Central Sierras - occasionally encounter or need to avoid difficult legal situations. As such, it is our mission to ease the burden of these situations, providing our clients with the time and emotional energy to focus on the more important aspects of their lives. Furthermore, by approaching each client and case individually, we are able to tailor solutions to fit specific personal, emotional and financial scenarios.

HOW OUR OFFICE WORKS

One of the first things that you will notice when you visit us is how we value teamwork. In our office, we each strive to be team players - our attorneys, legal secretary, paralegal, and bookkeeper all play an equally important role in a client's case. As a client of ours, you would also be a part of this team.

AREAS OF PRACTICE

Brent P. Collinson

FAMILY LAW - Unfortunately, many marriages or non-marital relationships do not work out. In that event, issues of child custody and visitation, child support, spousal support, division of property, restraining orders, attorneys fees, and the like must be addressed. Many times, conditions have changed since an earlier agreement or court order and a review and modification is needed. We assess each situation on a case-by-case basis and see if the matter can be resolved through a mutually agreeable settlement. If not, we proceed with litigating the matter. For those planning on entering into a marriage or non-marital relationship, we also can provide necessary written agreements, such as a pre-marital agreement.

ADOPTIONS - Whether independent, step-parent or agency adoptions, we can assist adopting parents or birth parents from locating birth or adopting parents through the completion of the adoption process (and the issuance of a new birth certificate). Mr. Collinson has successfully completed more than 100 cases of starting (or expanding) a family.

WILLS/PROBATE/TRUSTS - Ultimately, everyone will be at a point where it is necessary to pass their property to loved ones or perhaps a charitable organization. Pre-death planning includes not only who will receive property, but also who will be in charge of gathering the assets, paying proper claims, distributing the property, and who will look after any minor children. This may be done either through a will or living trust. It is also a good time to direct who should make decisions for you in the event of a mental or physical infirmity. By planning for the inevitable, not only can the property be passed more efficiently, but estate taxes can also be reduced or eliminated. We emphasize the small to medium-sized estate (one million dollars for a single person and two million dollars for a married couple).

BUSINESS/CORPORATIONS - Whether starting a new business or expanding an existing one, many legal issues arise. We can draw up the paperwork for partnerships, corporations and limited liability companies. As businesses operate, legal advice and intervention may be needed both for internal matters as well as matters impacting the business from customers, clients and suppliers. In the event it is time to sell a business or dissolve a business with multiple members, legal assistance is needed to ensure the process goes smoothly.

REAL ESTATE - We can assist clients when they are buying or selling their house, commercial or investment property, or if the sale has not gone as planned. Perhaps there is a dispute with an adjoining landowner regarding the extent of one's landowner's rights and their impact on a neighbor, or an issue over financing or refinancing. Due to our representation of public agencies and their imposition of conditions on developments, we normally do not represent property developers in order to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest.

CONSTRUCTION - Issues arise before, during and after a construction project. We have represented owners whose structures have not been built properly, on time or within budget, contractors, sub-contractors and suppliers that have not been paid, and architects who have been questioned about their plans and drawings.

Jason C. LaChance

FAMILY LAW - Unfortunately, many marriages or non-marital relationships do not work out. In that event, issues of child custody and visitation, child support, spousal support, division of property, restraining orders, attorneys fees and the like must be addressed. Many times, conditions have changed since an earlier agreement or court order and a review and modification is needed. We assess each situation on a case-by-case basis and see if the matter can be resolved through a mutually agreeable settlement. If not, we proceed with litigating the matter. For those planning on entering into a marriage or non-marital relationship, we also can provide necessary written agreements, such as a pre-marital agreement.

WILLS/PROBATE/TRUSTS - Ultimately, everyone will be at a point where it is necessary to pass their property to loved ones or perhaps a charitable organization. Pre-death planning includes not only who will receive property, but also who will be in charge of gathering up the assets, paying proper claims, and distributing the property and who will look after any minor children. This may be done either through a will or living trust. It is also a good time to direct who should make decisions for you in the event of a mental or physical infirmity. By planning for the inevitable, not only can the property be passed more efficiently, estate taxes can be reduced or eliminated. We emphasize the small to medium-sized estate (one million dollars for a single person and two million dollars for a married couple).

REAL ESTATE - We can assist clients when they are buying or selling their house, commercial or investment property, or if the sale has not gone as planned. Perhaps there is a dispute with an adjoining landowner regarding the extent of one's landowner's rights and their impact on a neighbor, or an issue over financing or re-financing. Due to our representation of public agencies and their imposition of conditions on developments, we normally do not represent property developers, in order to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest.

CIVIL LITIGATION - In civil courts, litigants are usually concerned about protecting or recovering their money or property rights. We have represented plaintiffs who have been injured due to no fault of their own, and defendants who are forced to defend against claims to their property. Past and current cases involve Federal civil rights claims, personal injury, contract and real property disputes and mechanic's liens.

LANDLORD/TENANT - Both landlords and tenants have rights. A landlord is required by a contract to provide property for the tenant. Likewise, the tenant has agreed to pay rent to the landlord. For landlords a common problem involves non-payment of rent. Tenants on the other hand frequently face problems caused by unscrupulous landlords. Even though evictions are simple in concept, evictions have many procedures which must be strictly followed by a landlord who is trying to evict a tenant. A tenant who is being wrongfully evicted also has rights, but the tenant must follow the same procedures or they will be evicted.