Select a Practice Area
Business Organization & Maintenance
Sage Law Partners’ handles all aspects of starting, operating, and winding-up a business. Our attorneys advise clients on entity formation and selection, mergers and acquisitions, and winding up (or dissolution). Sage Law Partners is an entrepreneurial law firm and our attorneys understand that business owners hire lawyers to add value, not drag value.
Attorneys dealing with administrative law
Commercial & Business Litigation
Commercial and business litigation is a legal practice area that involves resolving disputes between businesses and other commercial entities. This can include contract disputes, breach of fiduciary duty claims, intellectual property disputes, and other issues that arise in the course of doing business. Commercial and business litigation requires a deep understanding of the relevant legal principles, as well as a strategic approach to resolving disputes in a way that minimizes risk and maximizes the client's objectives.
Construction
Construction of both residential and commercial buildings can involve numerous legal issues. If you need experienced and aggressive representation in a dispute over a construction defect, zoning law, contract, change order, or mechanics lien, we can help. At Sage Law Partners, we represent:
- Owners
- Builders
- Contractors
- Subcontractors
- Architects
- Suppliers
- Mortgage companies
- Engineers
Criminal Defense / Interstate
Construction law is a legal practice area that deals with the complex issues arising from the construction of buildings, infrastructure, and other projects. It encompasses a wide range of legal issues, including contract negotiation and drafting, government regulation and permitting, construction defects and disputes, and liability and insurance matters. Construction law is a specialized field that requires a deep understanding of the construction industry and the legal principles that govern it.
We frequently handle construction transactions and disputes of all varieties. This includes frequently representing general contractors, sureties, subcontractors, owners, architects, and engineers. This also includes construction litigation, negotiation and drafting of contract documents, mechanic’s and materialmen’s lien claims, OSHA defense, Fair Housing and ADA claims, performance and payment bond claims, bid protests, professional liability claims, and partnership disputes.
Divorce & Family
Estate and trust administration refers to the process of managing and distributing the assets of a deceased person or a trust. It involves identifying and valuing the assets, paying any outstanding debts or taxes, and distributing the remaining assets to the beneficiaries in accordance with the decedent's or trust's wishes. Estate and trust administration requires a deep understanding of both legal and financial principles, as well as strong organizational and communication skills to ensure that the process runs smoothly and efficiently.
Estate Litigation
Sage Law Partners comprehensive estate planning practice includes services necessary to administer and settle estates and trusts and defend or contest the administration of estates and trusts as needed.
Settlement of Estates. The loss of a loved one is life changing. We assist clients in settling estates, including the preparation and filing of pleadings and other documents in the appropriate probate court, preparation of inventories and appraisals, settlement of claims, preparation of decedents’ final income tax returns, preparation of fiduciary income tax returns, preparation of estate and inheritance tax returns, participation in any audit of such returns, preparation and review of accountings, interpretation of wills (including allocation of assets to marital dispositions) and distribution of assets to beneficiary.
Administration of Trusts. We provide advice to trustees with regard to the performance of their duties as trustees and their investment, tax, and accounting responsibilities. We assist with the preparation of fiduciary income tax returns and, in the case of revocable living trusts, the preparation of estate and inheritance tax returns upon the death of the trustor. As with estates, we participate in any audit of such returns. We represent trustees with respect to the interpretation of trust provisions and, upon termination of the trust, the distribution of assets to beneficiaries.
Fiduciary Litigation. We represent professional and individual fiduciaries and beneficiaries in a wide range of litigation involving trusts and estates. These matters include breach of fiduciary duty litigation, will and trust contests, and claims disputes. We also advise clients on best practices to avoid litigation.
Estate Planning
Estate planning refers to the process of arranging for the management and disposal of an individual's assets and properties after their death. A foundational estate plan includes a will, revocable living trust, durable power of attorney, and health care document. New clients often say that they do not have an estate plan. Most people are surprised to learn that they actually do have a plan. In the absence of legal planning otherwise, their estate will be distributed after death according to Utah’s laws of intestacy. Of course, this may not be the plan they would have chosen. A properly drafted estate plan will replace the terms of the State’s estate plan with your own.
Advanced Estate Planning. Sage Law Partners regularly counsels high-net worth clients on estate, gift and generation skipping transfer tax planning, including advice on lifetime wealth transfer through qualified personal residence trusts (QPRTs), grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATs), family limited partnerships (FLPs) and limited liability companies (FLLCs), defective grantor trusts (IDGTs), planned giving (through family foundations), charitable remainder trusts, and other sophisticated tax planning techniques. We evaluate the proper uses of insurance in estate planning, review clients’ assets to structure ownership so as to minimize estate and gift taxes, and design and implement succession plans for closely held businesses. As we assist with the succession of closely-held businesses, we frequently implement buy-sell agreements using sophisticated funding strategies to help the family business or farm survive through the generations.
Asset Protection. Sage Law Partners’ attorneys are conscientious of the fact that these are perilous times. Lawsuits, bankruptcies, divorces, business risks, contingent fee plaintiff’s attorneys, and illnesses can devastate estates. We’ve seen such devastation first hand. A good defense can be the best path toward overcoming such perils. We assist clients with asset protection planning using entities, trusts (both foreign asset protection trusts and domestic asset protection trusts), insurance, and other strategies. Although there are never guaranties in the world of asset protection, we have seen our asset protection strategies tested with favorable results in the recent economic downturn.
Tax Planning: Our trusts and estates practice involves all phases of estate planning, including the preparation of wills, living trusts and irrevocable trusts. We counsel clients on estate, gift and generation skipping transfer tax planning, including advice on lifetime wealth transfer through qualified personal residence trusts, grantor retained annuity trusts, family limited partnerships, planned giving, charitable remainder trusts, and other sophisticated tax planning techniques. We evaluate the proper uses of insurance in estate planning, review clients’ assets to structure ownership so as to minimize estate and gift taxes, and work closely with our corporate attorneys in designing and implementing succession plans for closely held businesses. We counsel professional fiduciaries, such as corporate trustees, on their responsibilities and on trust interpretation issues. The firm also has a probate and probate-related litigation practice.
Health Care
Health care law refers to the legal framework governing the provision of healthcare services and the rights and responsibilities of healthcare providers, patients, and other stakeholders. It encompasses a wide range of issues, including healthcare financing, patient privacy, medical malpractice, and regulation of healthcare facilities and practitioners. Health care law is a complex and ever-evolving field that requires a deep understanding of both legal and medical principles.
Insurance
Property owners obtain insurance to protect their most important property. People often pay high premiums for coverage, because they believe the insurance will adequately compensate them after a loss. However, insurance companies sometimes attempt to offer the lowest possible settlement or deny the claim altogether.
If that occurs, it is important to consult with an attorney who is familiar with insurance coverage issues. Ryan M. Nord has previously worked on behalf of insurance companies representing companies and individuals against liability claims. Based on this experience, he has seen firsthand how the insurance industry works.
Ryan M. Nord and Sage Law Partners now use that knowledge on behalf of policyholders throughout Utah. We only represent the insureds suing insurance companies. Frequent claims include water losses, fire claims, weather damage such as hail or wind damage to roofs, and other types of insurance coverage issues. Having litigated hundreds of cases involving insurance issues, we are prepared to put our knowledge and experience to work for you.
Please contact Ryan’s paralegal, Lindsay Stott, for a free, confidential consultation at 801-438-7127 or lstott@sagelawpartners.com. During your free consultation, we will be happy to answer your questions and discuss your legal options with you.
Landlord / Tenant
Settlement of Estates. The loss of a loved one is life changing. We assist clients in settling estates, including the preparation and filing of pleadings and other documents in the appropriate probate court, preparation of inventories and appraisals, settlement of claims, preparation of decedents’ final income tax returns, preparation of fiduciary income tax returns, preparation of estate and inheritance tax returns, participation in any audit of such returns, preparation and review of accountings, interpretation of wills (including allocation of assets to marital dispositions) and distribution of assets to beneficiary.
Administration of Trusts. We provide advice to trustees with regard to the performance of their duties as trustees and their investment, tax, and accounting responsibilities. We assist with the preparation of fiduciary income tax returns and, in the case of revocable living trusts, the preparation of estate and inheritance tax returns upon the death of the trustor. As with estates, we participate in any audit of such returns. We represent trustees with respect to the interpretation of trust provisions and, upon termination of the trust, the distribution of assets to beneficiaries.
Real Estate
Real estate law is a branch of law that governs various aspects of property ownership, transfer, use, and development. It includes laws related to residential and commercial properties, leases, mortgages, zoning, land use, and environmental regulations. Real estate law is complex and varies from state to state, making it important to consult with an experienced attorney for any real estate transactions or disputes.
Tax
Corporate and Partnership Tax. The firm has substantial experience in structuring and documenting corporate acquisitions involving, primarily on seller-side privately held company transactions. Our lawyers advise clients of the tax and legal consequences of proposed business transactions. We structure, negotiate and provide tax analysis and guidance in connection with various joint venture transactions, and provide tax analysis and planning in connection with partnership debt restructurings and workouts.
Employment Taxes. The Firm assists clients in dealing with employment tax matters, both federal and state. A considerable portion of a business’ tax responsibility arises from the various employment taxes imposed on the employer: Federal Income Tax Withholding, Social Security tax, and Federal and State Unemployment taxes. We advise our clients on questions of classification and status of workers, whether they are independent contractors or employees. We have performed audits and reviews of our clients’ employment tax practices to determine whether they are in full compliance with the various employment tax, withholding, payment and return filing requirements. We also represent our business clients in disputes with the Internal Revenue Service as well as state agencies over employment tax compliance, and, in particular, on the issue of whether workers are independent contractors or employees.
Individual Income Tax Planning. The Firm assist in individual income tax planning and analysis for client company executives and other high net worth individuals.
Tax Controversy Work. The Firm represents clients in tax controversy and litigation matters, both at the federal and state levels. At the federal level, we assist and represent our clients when they have been audited by the Internal Revenue Service and handle the administrative appeal to the Appeals office and thereafter to the U.S. Tax Court or, in a refund action, to Federal District Court or the U.S. Claims Court. This controversy work includes federal individual income, corporate income, employment and payroll taxes, excise taxes, “responsible officer” penalties, and estate, gift, and generation skipping transfer taxes. We have experience in the preparation and submission to the national office of the Internal Revenue Service both private letter rulings and technical advice requests. In rare cases, we represent clients in criminal tax matters, including voluntary disclosure submissions to the Internal Revenue Service for persons seeking to avoid criminal penalties for undeclared foreign bank accounts.
Tax-Exempt Organizations. The firm has extensive experience in representing tax-exempt organizations, including public charities and private foundations. Our lawyers regularly provide legal services to such entities on tax law, federal and state regulation and other matters which affect these organizations. We have successfully represented numerous non-profit organizations in their applications for tax-exempt status.