 | |
|
RETAINING
THE ATTORNEY & CLIENT DOCUMENTS
Colorado Springs Attorney - Family Law Trial
Practice 25+ Years in Colorado State Courts
El Paso County & Surrounding Colorado
Counties - Attorney Trade Area |
SOME DOCUMENTS LINKED ON THIS PAGE ARE RESTRICTED BY PASSWORD
TO CLIENTS WHO HAVE RETAINED
If you are using a 56K modem,
patience may be required. Some documents are lengthy
Number of pages and KB size are indicated at each
document link
INSTRUCTIONS
PLEASE READ THESE
INSTRUCTIONS
Adobe Acrobat Reader version 5 or later is
required to view .pdf files 
Free Download
All below information to the best of your knowledge is needed to prepare a
written retainer (fee) agreement, supporting authorizations to third persons
for release of information to counsel and to open file. Please be thorough, complete each
item requested, and use FULL LEGAL NAMES - NOT INITIALS.
|
I frequently visit with prospective clients by phone. If then
ready to hire counsel, generally within 20-30 minutes of our conversation &
receipt of a
retainer
data information form by fax, US Mail, Fed-X
or hand delivery, the following documents can be
electronically provided for the prospective client’s review. Because charge card account or
other sensitive information may be included, I have provided a .pdf file rather
than an email form
for retainer data.
|
|
-
Retainer agreement
hardcopy can be provided in
person or .pdf file can be sent via email
-
Waiver & authorization to release criminal, driving,
medical, financial, employment or
other confidential records
hardcopy can be provided in
person or .pdf file can be sent via email
-
Permission for release of Colorado DMV records
hardcopy can be provided in
person or .pdf file can be sent via email
-
Written information packets regarding facts relevant to the
litigation - password required
The
information packet educates me regarding the facts of your case
this enables quality representation.
If you are using a 56K modem,
patience may be required. Some documents are lengthy
Number of pages and KB size are indicated at each
document link.
Access password will be included with retainer agreement
email.
-
Retaining counsel can begin with a
simple 
email to the attorney
|
This allows:
|
-
Rapid attorney response.
-
Time for the prospective
client to consider the terms of the fee agreement in the privacy of his or
her own home or office without pressures of time or my presence.
In 25+ years of practice I’ve
never had a client decline terms of a written fee agreement.
The prospective client has no
obligation at this point, and that’s a comfortable feeling.
-
Our first physical meeting
will consist of document execution, receipt of trust deposit, interview
regarding relevant facts. This permits rapid commencement of representation
or litigation after counsel has been retained - there is no delay gathering
facts.
-
Completed documents may be returned to counsel by personal delivery,
fax, U.S. Mail or Fed-X. Client assumes the risk of interception if
sent by email image attachment - eg. .jpg .gif or .pdf.
-
With fax of executed documents &
subsequent mailing, if the retainer trust deposit is paid by MasterCard,
VISA, Discover Card or American Express, or by deposit to my account in a
national bank, retaining counsel can be accomplished in real time by out of
town, out of state or other clients. Fed-X is not necessary. This
ease of business made possible by electronic transmission is essentially
on-demand or instant gratification.
|
Please feel free to call if you are retaining
and have any questions. I have not yet agreed to accept
representation, and I am not your attorney until we have each executed the
retainer (fee) agreement and payment or trust deposit has been received toward
fees and costs. By finding this page you are well on your way to having
the assistance of legal
counsel.
|
 |
FAMILY
LAW -
SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT
ATTORNEY - CLIENT
DOCUMENTS |
|
|
|
| Adobe
Acrobat Reader version 5 or later is required to view .pdf files
Free Download |
| |
|
A great deal of information must be learned to
provide effective representation in family law matters. Dredging the
facts by oral interview would result in prohibitive attorney's fees. I
insist that family law clients be thorough with informational responses on
the linked fact sheets and produce documents to the extent possible.
Thereafter, I generally have sufficient information that any questions
arising during preparation of the lawsuit can be answered in a few brief
phone conversations.
|
| |
|
RETAINER
DATA FORM - Step Parent Adoption
4 Pages - Approximate Size 36 KB
-
NO PASSWORD - ACCESS UNRESTRICTED
With a call, this
information may also be provided by phone
FACT
SHEET - Step Parent Adoption
43 Pages - Approximate Size 117
KB
-
ACCESS RESTRICTED BY PASSWORD |
| |
| ******************** |
******************** |
|
|
|
PROMISSORY NOTE -
Family Law
1
Page - Approximate Size 17 KB
- NO PASSWORD - ACCESS UNRESTRICTED
A promissory note is frequently
relevant in family law cases evidencing debt to family members or friends
who have given financial assistance. A promissory note may foreclose
the opposing party's argument that the loan was a gift. |
|
ATTORNEY
REPRESENTATION
AND DECLINED MATTERS
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
FIRST CONSULTATION - NOTICE |
|
|
Attorney
welcomes representation
inquiries however the
purpose is not to provide free legal advice to the general public.
Unless seeking to retain counsel, please do not email or call.
Attorney does not provide legal opinions, answers or information
in response to questions submitted from non-clients, and attorney
is not the phone company 411 center for telephone number
information. Given the scope of internet accessibility, I
can not be the free "Colorado answer man" and will politely
decline requests of this nature. |
|
Family law
cases occur across Colorado -
please refer to travel. |
Travel Policies & Trade Area
*
Itemized Expenses
*
Colo Map |
common fees have been
quoted and information provided
attorney
is prepared to provide legal representation |
|
attorney
comparison is understandable, but before calling
please be prepared to retain if I am counsel of your choice |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
ALTERNATIVES |
FIND
A LAWYER |
if
you are seeking the below
please refer to above links for helpful information |
|
sole practitioner
attorney does not accept these matters |
|
|
| |
a. a pro-bono (free) lawyer
b. an attorney who may take
lower fees - economic hardship
c. an attorney who may take installment payments |
|
|
|
| |
|
MID-LITIGATION
REPRESENTATION
alternatives and find a
lawyer links provided as a courtesy
|
|
Attorney
Policies
Litigant Pro Se - Attempt to
Prepare or Defend Own Family Law Case |
|
1.
Adequate Time. If
sufficient time exists to adequately prepare your family law
case or defense and if prospective client approves this
attorney's fees and costs structure, attorney will likely
accept representation. This shall not constitute an
offer of representation; attorney and prospective client
retain discretion through
first
consultation. |
|
2.
Insufficient Time. If you've waited until the eleventh hour and there is not
sufficient time to adequately prepare your case or defense before a contested
court proceeding, please do not call. I decline. |
|
|
|
3.
Limited Assistance.
Please do not call requesting instruction, directions, legal theory,
forms completion or limited document drafting, partial representation, or an explanation of
applicable law to assist you in preparation or defense of your own case. I decline. |
|
|
|
|
Attorney
Policies
Representation
by Previous Attorney
|
|
1.
Current Attorney.
Until an order has entered withdrawing representation by an
attorney, an ethical rule violation exists if counsel
knowingly speaks to another attorney's client without current
attorney's consent. This ethical rule governs all
attorneys. Please do not call until after
you have terminated representation by a former attorney.
After
other counsel's withdrawal it may take significant effort for the the new attorney to "catch up."
Please be aware fees and costs will be associated with procuring the court
file and coming up to speed in the case. |
|
2.
Adequate Time.
If prospective client terminates employment of the former
attorney, if sufficient time exists to adequately prepare your
family law case, and if prospective client approves this
attorney's fees and costs structure, attorney will likely
accept representation. This shall not constitute an
offer of representation; attorney and prospective client
retain discretion through
first
consultation. |
|
3.
Insufficient Time.
If you've waited until the eleventh hour and there is
not sufficient time to adequately prepare your case or
defense before a contested court proceeding, please do
not call. I decline. |
|
|
|
4.
Second Opinion.
I will not arm chair quarterback another
attorney's case preparation, trial tactics or theory of
the case. Please do not call for a second
opinion or an opinion regarding the competence
of preparation or defense in your current family
law case. I decline. |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
POST
DECREE MATTERS
alternatives and find a
lawyer links provided as a courtesy
former clients are naturally welcome to call anytime
regarding any legal matter |
|
1.
Post Decree Support, Property or Debt Enforcement.
I accept most post decree requests to
enforce
a prior court order with respect to child support, spousal
maintenance, property or debt. This shall not
constitute an offer of representation; attorney and
prospective client retain discretion through
first
consultation. |
|
2.
Post Decree Modification.
I will consider post decree modification of support,
parental responsibility or parenting time or setting aside a
former property or debt order, however I do consider the
amount of time elapsed since last order, circumstances
surrounding the modification and number of prior attorneys
retained by a prospective client. This shall not
constitute an offer of representation; attorney and
prospective client retain discretion through
first
consultation. |
|
3.
Appeals. I
do not accept appellate matters unless I provided
representation at hearing or trial and am familiar with the facts,
testimony and exhibits received into evidence
and meritorious issues for appeal. That's been my policy for
years. Please do not
call or inquire regarding appellate matters if you are not a
former client. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
ATTORNEY
TRADE AREA & TRAVEL
OUTSIDE EL PASO COUNTY
GEOGRAPHIC
DISTANCE
ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS |
|
Colorado is a big state. Ease of internet access, email and toll free
phone doesn't change that fact. Due to frequency of court appearances, it is not economically justifiable for a client to pay travel time or
expenses beyond nearby counties. |
| Attorney has limited
his trade area due to cost considerations. |
|
|
|
|
|
Attorney is very willing to travel
outside the Colorado Springs area to present or defend a case,
but please be aware travel time, mileage and expense would
apply. If you are from out of state or are unfamiliar with
Colorado geography, refer to the map to determine where
Colorado Springs
is located in relation to the county of your court case or
hearing. |
|
|
|
| COUNTIES |
CITIES / TOWNS |
|
If travel is
necessary, a
trust deposit
would be required to cover anticipated travel time, mileage &
expenses. If it is not economically justifiable to retain
my services with travel, please contact counsel in the locale of
your case. |
|
|
El Paso County |
Colorado Springs / Manitou
Springs / Fountain |
|
Arapahoe County |
Littleton / Centennial /
Englewood |
|
Douglas County |
Castle Rock |
|
Elbert County |
Kiowa / Simla |
I welcome new cases. Intent is not to be harsh
or to discard potential new business, but to be practical. |
|
Crowley County |
Ordway |
|
Fremont County |
Canon City / Florence / Penrose |
|
|
Pueblo County |
Pueblo |
|
Teller County |
Cripple Creek / Woodland Park |
|
Adobe
Acrobat Reader version 5 or later is required to view .pdf files 
Free Download
| please feel free
to call or email if you are a client or are seeking representation |
|
|
|
|
|
FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION
not an offer for free legal advice - refer to link for terms
attorney is a sole practitioner with need to manage his caseload
attorney reserves the right to decline any legal matter |
|
 |
|
| |
|
GUSTAFSON LAW OFFICE TOPICAL
WEBSITES |
|
|
Topical Website Copyright © 2003
- All Rights Reserved - Document Revised
December 12, 2008
no copyright claimed to images other than photograph and law office logo
Topical Website Initial Publication Date: January 28,
2004
|
