DeSmet Probate Lawyers

I provide proactive and strategic legal counsel to the Moscow-Pullman area in both business law and estate planning. In the area of business, my goal is to help build strong businesses in my community by helping them think proactively to protect and invest in themselves. In estate planning, my goal is to help people uncover their goals and be able to integrate those values into estate plans that reflect and execute their goals for their lives and their families. In the probate process, I enjoy being able to walk alongside a client and help ease what can feel like a...

Jason Gray has 15 years of experience and his practice focuses on estate planning, business law, and real estate law. In addition to his legal practice, Jason has taught classes at the Gonzaga University School of Law and in the Paralegal Program at North Idaho College. He is a former Deputy Attorney General and served as a judicial law clerk in the Fourth Judicial District of the State of Idaho. He earned his Juris Doctor from the Gonzaga University School of Law and is licensed to practice law in Idaho and Washington.

Ryan Crandall is an estate planner with a passion for helping individuals and families prepare for the future. Ryan believes that one of the primary roles of a lawyer is to be an educator and counselor. He works hard to discover his clients' goals and to explain, in easy-to-understand terms, the legal strategies that can be used to achieve those goals. Ryan’s personal mission is to make estate planning as accessible, efficient, and streamlined as possible so that individuals, families, and business owners are motivated to express their estate planning goals, and families and business partners do not have...

I primarily represent individuals claiming Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Incombe Benefits (SSI). I also represent Disabled Veterans on their claims for VA disability benefits. The third area of my practice is Elder Law in which I represent individuals in regard to issues such as nursing home financing, estate planning, guardianship/conservatorship, etc.

Admitted to legal practice in Idaho and Ohio in 2005, Melissa's career has included civil and criminal law litigation, and workplace experience conducting discrimination and harassment training and investigations for employers and educational institutions and serving as an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator. Melissa joined the law firm in 2015 and became a shareholder in 2019. In 2021, Melissa received a Service Award from the Idaho State Bar for exemplary service to the legal profession and to Idaho citizens.

Alison Dunbar grew up in Sandpoint and is pleased to serve her hometown community. Growing up in Sandpoint, Alison participated in the local 4-H program and attended Sandpoint High School. Alison attended Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, where she studied Latin American political science. She ventured to New Orleans for law school, where she attended Tulane University School of Law. Alison has specialized her practice in real estate and business. She maintains an ongoing litigation load and appears in courts in Idaho, Montana, and Washington. Alison loves to fight for her clients, and equally loves closing a business transaction in...

A personal injury and workers’ compensation attorney, Kent A. Higgins is part of the law firm of Merrill & Merrill. Representing clients in Eastern Idaho, he is admitted to practice in state courts in Utah and Idaho. He is also admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the United States Tax Court, the United States Court of Federal Claims, several U.S. Courts of Appeals and the Ute Indian Tribal Court of the Uintah & Ouray Reservation.

Mr. Higgins has over 36 years of experience protecting the rights of the average worker and the injured. In 1979, he graduated from...

In both the community and the courtroom Lane V. Erickson has advocated for his clients for over 17 years.  As a partner with the Racine Law Firm, Mr. Erickson leads the experienced Estate Planning Team in all areas of estate planning, probate and elder law.  His practice also includes business creation and planning, real estate transactions and foreclosure, commercial litigation and employment law.  Mr. Erickson has appeared in state and Federal courts as well as numerous arbitrations and mediations throughout Idaho and Utah. Mr. Erickson lectures frequently with Sterling Education Services, Inc., and the National Business Institute, Inc., on...

For more than 47 years, I have helped entrepreneurs and small, and family-owned businesses overcome legal obstacles, reduce their personal and business risks, and achieve lasting legacies. Setting up businesses for long-term success from the formation through ownership and management succession is something in which I take great pride. I believe establishing and maintaining long-term relationships is the key to serving clients. To that end, I work every day to deliver legal services efficiently in a supportive, empathetic environment. My colleagues and I create, implement and continually improve an array of systems and services to meet the needs of our clients...

I have 37 years experience with the same law firm assisting a wide range of individual, governmental, insurance companies, and other institutional clients in Idaho and Wyoming in general civil litigation and estate planning. My cases have included jury and court trials in all state and federal trial courts, and appellate courts including the Idaho Supreme Court, Wyoming Supreme Court, and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Nathan practices in the areas of business, litigation, taxation, trusts, probate, wills and estates. He earned an advanced law degree (LL.M.) in taxation from the University of Florida Levin College of Law. Nathan advises individuals and entities regarding tax issues, business matters, and helps charitable organizations gain tax-exempt status with the IRS.

Nathan also represents clients in the courtroom. He has successfully litigated several cases in both federal and state courts, including complex probate matters, business matters, and civil rights litigation. Nathan’s courtroom experiences provide valuable perspective as he helps clients plan for long-term objectives.

Nathan is a client-oriented problem solver. He...

Mark E. Wight, Founder and President of Idaho Estate Planning is passionate about helping families plan for their futures. Mark has degrees in philosophy and environmental studies from Utah State University and a law degree from the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University. A focused and experienced attorney in estate and legacy planning, asset protection and tax planning, - Mark’s practice has helped thousands of Idaho families design customized plans. He has co-authored several manuals for attorneys in the areas of Probate Administration, Estate and Estate Tax Planning, and Asset Protection. His book, “Get Real: Planning...

Ada County born and raised. Married with a little family of my own. My Estate Planning practice focuses on helping you answer your "What-ifs" and to help you protect those little ones you love so much. Idaho educated. Graduated from Borah High School, Boise State University, and the University of Idaho. I enjoy coaching, which I try to coach one sport a year. It is typically football at Lewis and Clark middle school, but I have been known to coach basketball as well.

Fran Talboy Kershisnik has practiced probate and estate planning for over thirty years. A native of Idaho, Fran has spent her years in practice creating estate plans to help individuals structure the ideal plan for them. Fran believes there is no one size fits all in the law. In addition to writing wills and trusts, Fran spends her time providing probate services for clients. The death of a loved one is an emotional time and Fran not only focuses on the legal process of probate, she focuses on the client and their individual needs. Fran's compassion extends to the guardianship process....

Derek grew up in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He graduated from Brigham Young University - Idaho with a Bachelor's degree in Business Management, and graduated from Utah State University with a Master's degree in Human Resources, and a Master's degree in Business Administration. After graduate studies, Derek attended law school at the Pennsylvania State University Dickinson School. Derek currently works at Beard St. Clair Gaffney PA as an associate in Pocatello, Idaho.

I am a sole practitioner who answers her own phone and makes her own appointments. If you hire me, you will always be working with me, not an associate or paralegal. My primary concern is providing the information you need to make important decisions -- call anytime for a free consultation and never sign anything without reading it carefully, first! I am licensed in Utah, Idaho, New York and California. With the exception of California, I have lived and practiced law in each of these jurisdictions.

I graduated from Stanford University in 1989 and went on to attend the University of Idaho College of Law, where I graduated in 1992. With over thirty years of practice, I have successfully represented numerous clients in Southern Idaho across various legal matters including divorce, family law, probate, guardianships, conservatorships, misdemeanor criminal charges, and post-judgment relief. I firmly believe that every client deserves to be heard, and I understand that I serve as their voice within the legal system. I recognize that there is no "one size fits all" approach in law, and I treat each case as its own unique...

Nathan received his B.A in Spanish from Idaho State University in 2007 and his J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 2013. While in law school Nathan worked for Boise City Attorney’s Office handling both criminal and civil matters, and externed as a law clerk for Federal District Judge, B. Lynn Winmill. Nathan’s practice currently focuses on areas of business law, contracts, real estate, estate planning, probate and immigration law. While with the firm, Nathan has provided legal advice and services regarding matters of immigration to individuals, families, non-profit organizations, and local business owners. ...

After 42 years serving as an attorney, I've recently retired from active practice. But I still meet with my partners, Daniel Patchin and Ben Monaghan, at least a couple times each week to discuss current challenges and recent changes in the areas of estate planning and probate.

Dave’s practice focuses on estate planning, probate and trust administration, tax matters, and business formation and transactions. He has a Masters degree in tax law from the University of Florida—recognized nationally as one of the top five tax programs in the country—has made numerous presentations related to estate planning and probate issues, and teaches in the accounting department at Idaho State University.

Dave is a leading member of the Racine Olson estate planning team. He understands the various dynamics that must be considered when crafting estate plans and has the experience to design estate plans that meet each client’s unique needs,...

I was born in Moscow, Idaho while my parents were attending law school and was raised in Boise. I graduated from Boise High School. I attended the University of Utah and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science. While at the University of Utah, I was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. The five core values espoused by Beta Theta Pi are cultivation of intellect, responsible conduct, mutual assistance, integrity, and trust. While an undergraduate in the summer of 2008, I served as a staff intern in Washington, D.C. for Rep. Robert Wexler (Florida 19th...

Brian's practice focuses on family law, estate planning, criminal defense and business law. Brian is licensed to practice in all Idaho courts as well as the U.S. District Court for the district of Idaho. He is also actively involved in church and community service in the Boise area. Brian is an Eagle Scout and volunteers his time as a Scout Master for his local Boy Scout Troop. He is also an active member of the family law section of the Idaho State Bar. Brian was born and raised in Idaho. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his...

Originally from Rexburg, Idaho, Eric attended Ricks College (known now as BYU-Idaho) where he focused his studies on Geology and Political Science. After Ricks College Eric continued his studies at Idaho State University, graduating with a degree in Geology. Eric always had a desire to practice law, so it did not take long after graduating from Idaho State University for Eric to head off to Michigan State University to study law. While at MSU Eric served as an associate editor of the Journal of Medicine and Law and was a member of the Environmental Law...

Joseph S. Kozlowski is an attorney practicing in Meridian, Idaho. He was raised in Idaho and graduated from Meridian High School. His practice focuses on all aspects of estate planning, business and tax planning, including: establishment of wills and trusts; probate and estate administration; business and corporate formation, operations, and mergers and acquisitions; asset protection; wealth preservation; elder law and Medicaid planning; charitable giving and the establishment and operation of charitable entities. Former Chair of the Taxation, Probate and Trust Law Section of the Idaho State Bar Association.

My practice focuses on affordable and compassionate representation in the area of estate planning, wills & trusts, and probate. I care about the outcome of my client's cases, and I make it a top priority to learn about my client's goals. Call: (208)996-3398

David E. Kerrick is a sole practitioner in Caldwell, Idaho practicing in the areas of wills, estates, trusts, probate, and fiduciary services. Mr. Kerrick earned his B.A. degree from the College of Idaho and the University of Washington, and his J.D. degree from the University of Idaho. Admitted to practice in 1980, he is past president of the Third District Bar (1985-1986); past president of the Canyon County Lawyers (1985); a recipient of the Idaho State Bar Oustanding Service Award (1985 & 1994); a recipient of the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award (2009); a former commissioner and past...