The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) is a new federal law that will impact almost all business entities. The CTA requires owners and other persons in control of closely held business entities to register in a national database. This includes owners of Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), corporations, limited partnerships, and other similar business entities. The filing requirements apply to all business of this type regardless of whether the entity is involved in ongoing business activities. For example, if you created an LLC for your vacation home without any ongoing business activities, you ..read more

The Montana Department of Revenue routinely reviews and updates rules and regulations for the Montana cannabis industry. The regulatory framework governing the the production, sale, and distribution of cannabis in Montana is a rapidly evolving area of law. Activity updates and regulatory changes are posted on the Cannabis Control Division webpage link below, along with other information regarding licensing, law enforcement, card holder information, and more. If you are part of the cannabis industry, Measure Law can provide guidance and help with questions about regulatory processes in Montana ..read more

Employees are a vital and important part of any business, and employee/employer relationships are what keep businesses moving forward. But sometimes when those relationships end, employers find themselves navigating through challenging post-employment separation issues. One of the most common questions I get from clients that have let an employee go or are thinking of terminating an employee is whether they can to so “at will”. “At will” employment means an employer can terminate an employee at any time for any reason, except an illegal one, or for no reason without incurring legal liability ..read more

Trust Basics and Advantages of Trusts One of the most frequent estate planning questions I hear is “Do I need a Trust?” A trust can be effective estate planning tool, but it is important to understand basics of trusts, how they work, and whether a trust makes sense for your specific situation. What is a Trust? A trust is written agreement wherein a separate entity, the trust, holds title of property and assets and manages those assets on behalf of an individual. A trust is created by a settlor (also known as the “trustor” or “grantor”) and the assets of the trust are managed by a trustee for t ..read more

In most states, a step-parent adoption is an easier process than other adoptions, and Montana is no exception. For good reasons, the process is streamlined when a person already acting as a parent is looking to adopt a child. In Montana, if the court is satisfied that the adoption is in the best interests of the child, it can waive the preplacement evaluation and the six-month postplacement evaluation requirements. After the adoption, the relationship of parent and child and all the rights, duties, and other legal consequences of the relationship exists between the adoptee and the adoptive pa ..read more

Unlike many other states, Montana does not have an intermediate appellate court and, instead, district court cases in Montana are appealed directly to the Montana Supreme Court. If you have had a divorce or parenting trial and believe that the result was improper under the law, your remedy is generally to initiate an appeal to the Montana Supreme Court. The Montana Supreme Court is located in Helena, MT. All appellate proceedings take place in Helena (except in a few limited circumstances), regardless of where you live in the state and regardless of where your district court case took place. T ..read more

While appealing a child custody or parenting case in Montana can be just like any other appeal, there are a few important things litigants need to know when considering whether or not to appeal the district court’s decision. Parenting/Child Custody cases can be a bit different than other appeals, even divorce appeals. Here are few things to consider before diving in to an appeal: 1. You’ll Have to Head Back to Mediation. That’s right, even though you likely attended mediation prior to going to trial, the Montana Supreme Court will make you take another stab at resolving your case. If the parti ..read more

For people not wanting a full divorce (or dissolution as we call it in Montana) there is another option. The law allows you to obtain a legal separation instead. The differences are actually quite small, and in general this isn’t much of a solution for my clients. But, the option exists and people should be aware of it. Particularly for some religious faiths, this can provide an important alternative that makes the most sense in certain situations. If you find yourself wanting a legal separation instead of a divorce, here are some things to think about. Legal Separations in Montana are governe ..read more

Trusts can be highly beneficial estate planning tools, but it is important to understand the basics of trusts and how to effectively fund a trust for maximum estate planning benefits. What is a Trust? A trust is written agreement wherein a separate entity, the trust, holds title of property and assets and manages those assets on behalf of an individual. A trust is created by a settlor (also known as the “trustor” or “grantor”) and the assets of the trust are managed by a trustee for the benefit of the beneficiary. During the lifetime of the settlor of a revocable trust, the settlor retains co ..read more

Estate planning refers to the practices that help put your life in order so you can live well now and depart with security, dignity and a legacy to pass on. Estate planning is not only for the rich, it is for anyone who owns anything – and it’s never too early to start. From your first simple will, to complex trusts, it is important to build the foundation for your plan early and modify it as your family and assets grow. Measure Law attorneys specialize in wills, trusts, probate, tax planning and elder law. We invest in each stage of life planning, so you can live well…now. What happens withou ..read more