Peter H. Westby
Platt & WestbyBorn in Minnesota, Attorney Peter Westby has resided in Arizona since 1962 and in Phoenix since 1974. Mr. Westby graduated from the University of Arizona College of Law in 1973 and entered the practice of law as a prosecuting attorney, first with the City of Tucson and then with the Pima County Attorney's office as a Criminal Trial Deputy. He joined partner Harvey Platt in the private practice of law in Phoenix in 1974 and together they formed Platt & Westby, P.C. Mr. Westby practices in the areas of real estate law, civil litigation, family law, estate planning, probate, estate and trust administration, and business formation/litigation. Mr. Westby and his firm have earned a Martindale-Hubble AV rating, the highest rating awarded for ethics and professional competence.
- Bankruptcy
- Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Debt Relief
- Business Law
- Business Contracts, Business Dissolution, Business Finance, Business Formation, Business Litigation, Franchising, Mergers & Acquisitions, Partnership & Shareholder Disputes
- Collections
- Divorce
- Collaborative Law, Contested Divorce, Military Divorce, Property Division, Same Sex Divorce, Spousal Support & Alimony, Uncontested Divorce
- Estate Planning
- Guardianship & Conservatorship, Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills
- Family Law
- Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law
- Foreclosure Defense
- Landlord Tenant
- Evictions, Housing Discrimination, Landlord Rights, Rent Control, Tenants' Rights
- Probate
- Probate Administration, Probate Litigation, Will Contests
- Real Estate Law
- Commercial Real Estate, Condominiums, Easements, Eminent Domain, Homeowners Association, Land Use & Zoning, Mortgages, Neighbor Disputes, Residential Real Estate, Water Law
- Elder Law
- Free Consultation
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Credit Cards Accepted
Accept Visa and MasterCard
- Arizona
- U.S. Federal Court
- English: Spoken, Written
- Partner
- Platt & Westby
- Current
- James E. Rogers College of Law, University of Arizona
- J.D. (1973)
- University of Arizona
- B.S.
- Arizona's Finest Lawyers
- Arizona's Finest Lawyers
- Arizona State Bar
- Member
- Current
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- Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
- Former President and Council Member
- - Current
- Activities: 1987 - 1993
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- La Casa De Cristo Lutheran Church
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- Q. Is it legal to create a retroactive contract for a rent-to-purchase agreement in Arizona?
- A: I do not recommend using any kind of retroactive contract. A normal residential real estate purchase contract should be used to document this transaction. But your intention is fine. There is no problem in reducing the purchase price of the home in any amount that you and your tenants agree upon. It is not unusual, when selling without a real estate agent, to reduce the purchase price by 5- 6% since no real estate commission will be paid.
- Q. Am I entitled any part of the family owned business.
- A: You may be entitled to a portion of any community interest in this business. But from the information you provided, it is not possible to tell. I strongly recommend that you discuss this with your divorce lawyer. Once your lawyer knows the facts, he or she will be able to let you know your legal rights and what you might be entitled to as part of your divorce property settlement.
- Q. I have been letting my wifes nephew live in my Mobile home rent free. I want to start charging rent. Can I?
- A: Yes, you can start charging rent. But you will first need to terminate the current tenancy according to the terms of the Arizona Residential Landlord Tenant Code and any rental agreement or lease that may exist. Once the existing tenancy is terminated, you will be free to negotiate a new tenancy and ask for the payment of rent.
