North Star Law, PLLC

Family law matters are deeply personal and often emotionally charged. We help clients navigate divorce, parenting plans, custody, child support, and related issues with clarity, practicality and care. 

Our focus is on providing straightforward advice, setting realistic expectations, and helping clients make informed decisions decisions during these difficult transitions. We aim to reduce conflict where possible and firmly protecting our clients' interests and their families' long-term well-being.

When children are involved, our approach is firmly child-centered. We focus on created parenting plans that support stability, consistency, and the child's long-term needs and well-being, while taking into account each family's unique circumstances. We help parents make thoughtful decisions that prioritize their child's needs, encourage healthy co-parenting where possible, and reduce unnecessary conflict or future court intervention. 

If you’re not sure which family law process applies to your situation, let’s talk about your options.

Planning for the future can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. We work with clients to create estate plans that reflect their wishes and provide clarity for loved ones. We focus on practical solutions and straightforward advice whether you require a simple will or more comprehensive planning.

We assist clients with wills, trusts, powers of attorney, transfer on death deeds, healthcare directives, and other estate planning documents, offering individualized guidance based on client circumstances. 

Our goal is to help clients make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary uncertainty in the future. We take the time to explain options in plain language and tailor each plan to reflect family dynamics, assets, and long-term goals. Whether planning for incapacity, minimizing probate, or simply ensuring wishes are clearly documented, we emphasize clarity, flexibility, and plans that work when they are needed.

Not sure whether a will, trust, or other planning tool is right for you? Reach out to discuss what makes sense in your circumstance.

Guardianships involving children are often rooted in a desire to provide stability, safety, and long-term security during times of change. We assist families with navigating these matters thoughtfully, whether establishing a guardianship to address a child’s immediate needs or pursuing a permanent guardianship or adoption to formalize a permanent family relationship. Our approach is child-centered and attentive to the legal requirements involved, with a focus on clarity, careful planning, and the best interests of the child throughout the process.

We work with families to help ensure the process is handled respectfully, efficiently, and in compliance with applicable law. We strive to support families in creating legal arrangements that promote stability and continuity for children while minimizing unnecessary conflict or uncertainty

Adult guardianships are often sought to provide safety, consistency, and support when a loved one can no longer manage certain decisions on their own. When an adult can no longer manage personal or medical decisions due to an illness or incapacity, a guardianship and/or conservatorship may be required to ensure their needs are met and their interests are protected. We help clients understand the process, explore available options including less restrictive alternatives, and proceed with care - always mindful that a guardianship is a significant legal step that affects and individual's rights. 

We are also available to represent individuals who are the subject of an adult guardianship, focusing on protecting their rights, dignity, and expressed wishes. In appropriate cases we may also serve as a court-appointed visitor, helping the court better understand the individual's circumstances and needs through an independent assessment. 

Probate and estate administration can feel overwhelming, especially during a time of loss. We assist personal representative and families with navigating the probate process, handling required filings, and administering estates. From initial filings to final distributions, we guide clients through the process, explain each step in plain language, and help ensure estates are handled properly and in compliance with Montana law. 

Every estate is different, and not all estates require the same level of court involvement. We work with clients to evaluate the nature of the estate, applicable assets, and family circumstances to determine the appropriate type of administration, whether that involves a small estate process, informal or formal probate, or assistance with transferring assets outside of probate when possible. 

Stating a business involves important legal decisions that can affect liability, operations, and long-term growth. We assist clients with forming and structuring businesses, including choosing the appropriate entity, preparing formation documents, and addressing foundational governance issues necessary to establish and operate a business in compliance with applicable laws. 

In addition to for-profit entities, we assist clients with forming nonprofit organizations. This includes helping establish the entity at the state level and preparing foundational governance documents. We work with clients to create a clear legal framework that supports the organization’s mission and long-term operations. We work collaboratively with other professionals where needed to help ensure clients have the information and support necessary to move forward effectively.

Step-parent adoptions allow families to legally formalize an existing parent-child relationship and provide long-term stability and clarity for children. These adoptions often arise in blended families where a step-parent has taken on an active, ongoing parental role and wishes to secure legal recognition of that relationship.

Adult adoptions provide a legal means to formalize long-standing family relationships and provide clarity around rights, responsibilities, and inheritance. We assist clients with adult adoptions in a variety of circumstances, including blended families, caregiving relationships, and situations where individuals wish to formally recognize an existing parent-child bond.

Our role is to guide clients through the legal process, including consent issues, termination of parental rights when required, and court approval. We will explain the implications of adoption, and ensure that all statutory requirements are met. We approach all adoptions with care and respect for the individuals involved, focusing on clear guidance and thoughtful legal support tailored to each family’s circumstances.

We can serve as an authorized representative for your business throughout its lifecycle, helping you stay compliant with ongoing requirements. In Montana, a business must designate a registered agent or authorized contact to receive official state communications and legal notices, including service of process, and to ensure important correspondence is handled promptly, and to ensure that your business remains in good standing with the state by assisting with required annual reports. 

Business and nonprofit formation and ongoing representation may involve coordination with other professionals, such as accountants, tax advisors, or financial institutions. While we provide legal guidance and handle appropriate filings and documentation, certain tax, accounting, or financial matters may require input from qualified professionals outside the firm.

Limited scope representation allows clients to receive legal assistance for specific tasks or stages of a legal matter. 

Flat fee services allow clients to obtain needed services for a set price. This means you know the cost up front, without worrying about hourly billing or surprise invoices.

When appropriate, limited scope services may be offered on a flat-fee basis, providing clarity and predictability around cost. Any limited scope and/or flat fee engagement is clearly defined in writing so clients understand what services are included, what is not, and when the representation begins and ends. 

Family Law: We offer both full-service representation and limited-scope (unbundled) family law services. Some clients want comprehensive support from start to finish, while others prefer targeted assistance with specific issues or stages of their case. We work with clients to determine the level of support that best fits their needs and goals. 

Estate Planning: Most of our estate planning services are offered at a flat fee or in package form. We can customize the services or documents you need to ensure your assets are protected without paying for things you don't need.

Probates and Estate Administration:  Where appropriate, probate and estate administration services may be offered on a flat-fee or phased basis, providing clarity around costs at each state of the process. In some cases, limited scope assistance may also be available for specific areas, such as preparing filings or advising a personal representative with targeted legal guidance for defined tasks without full representation, with the scope of services clearly defined in writing. 

We work with our clients to determine the services that best suit their needs.