Practice Areas

Business Law & Tax Planning

At Sparkman · Shaffer · Perlick, we are experts in the use of corporations, partnerships, and limited liability companies, and regularly assist clients in structuring business and nonprofit entities. We work with many family-held enterprises, including family businesses, real estate holding companies, as well as farmers and ranchers throughout the West. We also set-up and counsel a variety of tax-exempt, nonprofit organizations and foundations.

In addition, we often assist in the drafting of Colorado business statutes and model national acts, and have advised the Colorado Secretary of State on commercial matters.

We provide expert guidance in business contracts, purchases and sales, financings, securities and private offerings, employment contracts, international business, and intellectual property matters.

Wills, Trusts & Probate

At Sparkman · Shaffer · Perlick, we believe that everyone can benefit from planning that would preserve their property for their families and other beneficiaries, and that can ease the burdens that arise during life’s transitional times. Having appropriate arrangements in place can make things less stressful for loved ones during times of disability or death.

Basic estate planning includes a will, financial and medical powers of attorney, and trusts for minor children or beneficiaries with special needs. Those with larger estates or business interests can benefit from more extensive planning.

Some of the more sophisticated estate matters we frequently handle for clients include drafting and funding revocable and irrevocable trusts, generation skipping and other estate tax savings techniques, life insurance trusts, probate and trust administration.

Real Estate

Sparkman · Shaffer · Perlick works with buyers and sellers of residential, commercial and rural properties in both simple and complex transactions. We also negotiate leases and plan like-kind exchanges.

While we routinely practice in these areas, we recognize the uniqueness and individual importance of each situation. Whether purchasing a first home, adding to a real estate investment portfolio, or acquiring space for a growing business, we give careful guidance in negotiations, contracts, title examination, due diligence and closing phases to be sure the objectives are met.

We also assist with a wide range of legal services related to real estate needs, including limited partnerships, leasing, gifting to family members or charities, and transfers to trust for estate planning purposes.

Charitable Planning

Sparkman · Shaffer · Perlick counsels prospective donors on the variety of gift methods available to meet charitable objectives including gifts to individual charities, gifts to a donor-advised fund maintained by a community foundation, gifts to a charitable trust, or the establishment of a family foundation.

We have extensive experience in charitable planning with clients whose values span a wide range from religious groups, to at-risk youth, to sports organizations, and medical foundations.