Harris Law Office PLLC

Trusted Montana attorneys guiding clients through Guardianship and Adoption. Compassionate, professional legal help for families.

Montana attorneys helping clients plan wills, trusts, and asset protection. Secure your family’s future with expert, personalized estate planning guidance.

I assisted clients with trust administration by reviewing trust documents, coordinating required filings, and guiding them through each step of the administration process. I ensured that beneficiary information was updated accurately and helped families manage their responsibilities with clarity and confidence.

I assisted clients with small business planning by guiding them through business formation and reviewing contracts related to sales and agreements. I ensured that all documents were accurate and compliant, providing clients with clear guidance to make informed decisions for their business operations.

The Adoption Process What to Expect We believe every child should have a family. Since opening our doors on February 1, 2016, we have been honored to assist families with over 100 Adoptions. We strive to make the Adoption process as simple as possible and to help make the Adoption Day a happy celebration. From the filing of the Verified Petition for Adoption to the Adoption Hearing, we will be here to walk you through the process, answer any questions, and have a little fun along the way. Fees If parental rights have already been terminated, then we will charge you a fixed fee for the Adoption. Part of the simplicity, is you will know from our initial meeting how much the Adoption will cost. If parental rights still need to be terminated, then we will charge a reasonable hourly rate and provide you an estimate of total fees and costs depending upon whether the termination of parental rights is contested or uncontested. Types of Adoptions Montana law allows for different types of Adoptions, including Adoptions where an Agency or the State has permanent custody of the child, a stepparent adoption, or a direct parental placement. If you want to adopt a child residing outside of Montana, then you will need to make sure to comply with the Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children.

We are highly selective in the civil litigation cases we agree to handle for clients. Most of our new cases come from referrals. Depending upon the type of civil litigation case you have, feel free to call us. If we can’t assist, we will do our best to provide you with referrals.

Types of Guardianship Guardianship of a minor Are you currently taking care of your grandchildren or other young family members? If the answer is yes, you may need a Court to appoint you as the children’s Guardian. This appointment allows you to legally take care of the children when their parents are either deceased or are unable to care for them. A Guardianship may be contested or uncontested. Either way, we are here to advocate for you and for what is in the children’s best interests. Guardianship and/or conservatorship of an incapacitated adult Do you have a child with special needs that is going to turn 18 years old? Or, do you have an aging parent or other relative who, as a result of a diagnosis, can no longer make legal and financial decisions? If the answer is yes, then give us a call. The best way to protect your loved one, is to have the Court appoint a Guardian and a Conservator. The Guardian will make decisions on the person’s housing, health care, and other needs. The Conservator will manage the person’s finances.

Special Needs Trusts Are you or a family member receiving governmental benefits that would be in danger of being taken away if you inherit money? If the answer is yes, contact us to see if you qualify for a Special Needs Trust to hold the assets so they aren’t counted against you. We charge fixed fees for all Special Needs Trusts. You will know from our first meeting the total cost. First-party SPECIAL NEEDS trust If you are currently receiving Supplemental Security Income and/or Medicaid due to a special need and are about to receive money from an inheritance or settlement that will disqualify you for benefits, then consider establishing a First-Party Special Needs Trust. This Trust will be managed by a Trustee of your choice, who is knowledgable in administering Special Needs Trusts. Your Trustee can use money in this Trust to pay for your Supplemental Needs. Upon your death, there is a pay-back provision to Medicaid. If there is money remaining after the pay-back, then you list the beneficiary who should receive it. Third-party SPECIAL NEEDS trust If you have a loved one who is currently receiving SSI and/or Medicaid due to a special need, you may want to consider establishing a Third-Party Special Needs Trust, also referred to as a Supplemental Needs Trust. This Trust can be created now or established at the time of your death. A properly set up Trust, ensures the inherited assets will not disqualify your loved one from SSI and/or Medicaid. Additionally, there is no pay-back provision, so you can designate who the beneficiary will be after your loved one passes.