Mark R Petersen

My name is Mark Petersen and I am the owner of Snake River Law PLLC. I briefly want to share with you my background and why I am a "different" lawyer.

I went to law school with the ideology that I could make a difference in people's lives - that I would serve as a trusted advisor and counselor on legal issues to proactively help my clients plan for their futures. I believed then and continue to believe today that a lawyer should be a client's most trusted advisor and counselor throughout their lives. However, I found that most often my involvement with a client was a one time event and that I was failing to developing the long-term relationship with my clients. My work was to try and keep my clients from stumbling their way through a litigation nightmare, hoping that at the end of the road, the clients could salvage some sort of positive resolution. I was failing to establish myself as a trusted advisor and counselor for my clients.

If I wanted to accomplish my goal as a trusted, life-long advisor for my clients, I needed to become a "different" lawyer. I needed to return to the passion that brought me into law in the first place. I needed to find a way to become a trusted advisor and counselor for my clients. The only question that I then had was "how?" While reading through an ABA email, I discovered something called the Personal Family Lawyer program. The Personal Family Lawyer program was "different". The Personal Family Lawyer program was client focused and centered on providing quality service to clients. Perhaps most important to me was the focus on developing long-term client relationships where I could serve as a trusted advisor and counselor. So I decided to become a Personal Family Lawyer and "hang my shingle" so I could make the changes to become a "different" lawyer.

So what makes me a "different" lawyer? What have I changed to help me become a trusted advisor and counselor for my clients? As the only Personal Family Lawyer in Idaho, the first thing that I have done with Snake River Law is to banish the hourly fee. I now charge only flat fees for my services so that my clients know up front exactly how much they will be charged - no hidden costs, no hourly fees, and no bills for telephone calls - with everything agreed to up front. My clients can call me and discuss with me any issue or concern without receiving a bill. Second, I have committed myself to provide my clients with top quality planning to help protect themselves, their families, and their businesses. My clients not only receive planning documents for their specific family but also receive the long-term follow-up to make sure their planning documents are current. I am also offering membership programs that will allow me to keep my client's estate plans and business documents up to date and current. What's great about the membership program is that there are no additional charges for changing or updating their plan or business documents - all of this is included in the membership program. Clients in the membership programs are assured a long-term, positive relationship with me as their trusted advisor and counselor. Finally, our planning documents focus on more than property and money - the plans also focus on the intellectual, spiritual, and value assets that my client's hold dear to their hearts so that they pass on to their loved ones much more than just money â it allows them to pass on a portion of their lives and values.

My wife and two children have been great assets in my transformation. The love that I have for them and my desire to protect and care for them has been a great inspiration in becoming a "different" lawyer. They have brought me to an understanding that estate and business planning involves so much more than money â it includes providing a foundation of values to support my children throughout their lives. As a "different" lawyer I strive to provide the same service for my clients and their families.

Estate Planning

Guardianship & Conservatorship Estate Administration, Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills

Business Law

Business Contracts, Business Dissolution, Business Finance, Business Formation, Business Litigation, Franchising, Mergers & Acquisitions, Partnership & Shareholder Disputes

Divorce

Collaborative Law, Contested Divorce, Military Divorce, Property Division, Same Sex Divorce, Spousal Support & Alimony, Uncontested Divorce

Family Law

Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law

• Credit Cards Accepted
  Visa and Mastercard
• Contingent Fees
  On Personal Injury Cases Only
• Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
  Flat Fee Billing On Most Matters

Idaho

Since 2004

9th Circuit

Since 2004

Owner

Snake River Law PLLC

2009 - Current

Associate Attorney

M Brent Morgan Chartered

2005 - 2009

Staff Attorney

Sixth District - Judge Peter McDermott

2004 - 2005

Extern

Idaho Attorney General - Department of Water Resources

2004 - 2004

University of Idaho College of Law

J.D. | Law

2001 - 2004

Brigham Young University

B.S. | Environmental Science

1997 - 2001

Idaho State Bar

Member

2004 - Current

Sixth District Citizen's Law Academy

Committee Member

2004 - Current

Q. I have a property in idaho that I bought 16 years ago. Prior it was owned by another family for at least 40 years.

July 30, 2018

A: Idaho law recognizes fences that have been the boundary of adjoining properties for a long period of time as the property line. To establish fence line and property ownership there must be a (1) disputed boundary, (2) uncertainty or ignorance of the true boundary line, (3) and an agreement establishing a boundary that is recognized between the parties. Payment of property taxes is not required. The property line agreement may be established by direct evidence, or it can be inferred from the conduct of the parties or their predecessors. This can include long acquiescence in an existing fence line where adjoining landowners treated the fence as the boundary.

Q. Should I obtain a lawyer in Ca. or Idaho ?

July 30, 2018

A: If the Trust's location is Idaho and the funds were embezzled in Idaho, then it is likely you can pursue the case in Idaho. Idaho's "long arm statute" (the law that allows you to serve a non-resident) would determine if he can be served in California. Determination of jurisdiction and the ability to serve an out of state resident with a Summons can be tricky. As a result, I would highly suggest you meet with an attorney and review the facts to make a final determination if jurisdiction is in Idaho.

Q. My ex has our house from the divorce in April 2018. My name is still on the mortgage. He has started remodeling.

July 30, 2018

A: It will depend on the language in your decree of divorce. If the decree of divorce gives the property to him outright then he would have the right to remodel the home because it is now his property. If he is required to refinance the home and clear your name off the property, he probably should wait to remodel until after completing the refinance. However, if the decree has not specific language that prohibits his use of the home, then he most likely does not need your consent to remodel.