Abraham Lincoln advised, "Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can. As a peacemaker the lawyer has superior opportunity of being a good man. There will still be business enough."

Nevertheless, even after one's best efforts to resolve a dispute have been made to no avail, the law provides a peaceful and orderly way to resolve disputes. Litigation is the resort to court action to determine a legal right or to resolve a dispute.   The attorneys at HMH share nearly a century of experience in the courtroom, representing both plaintiffs and defendants.   The firm's experienced litigation team handles all phases of litigation in virtually all areas of law including, among others, land and property disputes, eminent domain claims and defenses, personal injury and wrongful death claims, RICO, bankruptcy discharge and fraud issues, collection, judicial foreclosure of liens and mortgages,  business disputes, will contests and other probate disputes, and construction disputes.   HMH can provide the legal counsel needed whether you are sued or whether you need to seek redress in a court of law, arbitration or mediation.

Preparing an estate plan can seem daunting, and none of us enjoy contemplating our own death.  Still, few efforts reap greater dividends in terms of saving your loved ones from stress and expense than a carefully prepared estate plan.  Your estate plan involves more than your will or a living trust, though they are vital.  We can give you answers to such questions as: Who will care for my minor children should something happen to me?  Who will manage my assets should I become unable to make my own decisions?  How do I communicate my desires pertaining to the medical treatment I hope to receive at the end of my life?  What is probate?  Is it something I need to avoid?  If so, how? 

Furthermore, even after careful preparation of an estate plan, periodic reviews and updates are often in order.  Such events as births, deaths, marriages, divorces and disabilities may alter the effects of your current plan.  We would be happy to meet with you to discuss the adequacy of your current plan and to assist you in making any necessary changes or additions thereto.

When a loved one has died, it may or may not be necessary to probate that person's estate.  We can advise you on the need for probate of the estate, the factors that may play a role in that decision, or even to discuss the process of administering an estate through a living trust previously prepared by your deceased friend or family member.  You need not do it alone.

Family life can be complicated.  Whether you are seeking to plan for a marriage, adopt a child, modify a custody or child support order, or are dealing with the complexities of divorce, it is important to seek competent legal counsel.  The attorneys at HMH have experience in complex litigation, business law, real estate law and other areas of the law that often intersect with family law.  Family law issues often times bring an emotional dynamic that is unique from other areas of law practice.  HMH's family law attorneys understand this unique aspect of the family law practice.   

Additionally, HMH provides counsel and full representation from start to finish for parental terminations, adoptions, guardianships of children or incapacitated persons, and Child Protection Act and related cases.   HMH recently entered the field of surrogacy law.  Idaho has virtually no statutory law addressing the dynamic aspects of surrogacy law.  Similarly, there is minimal Idaho case law addressing the rapidly developing area of surrogacy law.  Given the uncertainty regarding surrogacy in Idaho and across the nation generally, it is important to seek legal counsel before entering into a surrogacy arrangement.   HMH negotiates, draft, and reviews  surrogacy contracts for both the carrier and the intended parents.  HMH's litigation team also provides outstanding legal representation where a legal dispute between the parties to a surrogacy arrangement develops.

Attorneys who litigate real estate disputes understand what is important to address in negotiation and drafting real estate related agreements.  Agreements involving the transfer of an interest in real estate generally must be in writing to be enforceable.  A well drafted real estate contract is therefore essential to ensuring that a real estate transaction does not fall apart as a result of a legal technicality.   HMH's real estate attorneys pay great attention to detail in counselling their clients through the entire real estate transaction from formulating an offer to due diligence to closing and beyond.   Whether your needs include negotiating terms of a commercial lease, drafting a  simple purchase and sale agreement for a single family residential home,  or negotiating and drafting terms for a multi-faceted commercial real estate purchase and sale agreement, HMH's clients can proceed with confidence under the counsel of HMH's real estate attorneys.