Practice Areas

Our experienced attorneys have made solid commitments to the following areas of practice in order to provide you with the best possible legal representation.

• BUSINESS LAW

  We provide a wide variety of services to business clients including assisting in selecting the type of organizational entity under which to operate, negotiating and preparing business agreements, assisting in the sale and purchase of a business, obtaining financing and funding for business operations, and assisting in dissolution or business succession.

  Business Organizations-The form of entity selected for the conduct of a business greatly impacts the daily operations of the business and the income tax consequences to both the business and its owners. We assist clients with this step of business formation by reviewing the goals and individual facts present in each situation to recommend the best entity-selecting from limited/general partnerships, limited liability companies, or corporations, and the different elections or options available under each. We can advise business clients from the initial conference and entity decision-making, through document preparation and filing with appropriate authorities, to post-formation activities such as preparation and adoption of bylaws and director/shareholder resolutions. We also handle asset purchase agreements and non-competition issues.

  Banking & Finance Law-As experienced banking attorneys, we assist clients with problems arising out of daily operations, as well as development of long-term strategies. Our banking practice includes:

  • Structure
  • Preparation and negotiation of loan agreements
  • Counsel for banks and others in the collection of their accounts
  • Loan workouts

• FAMILY AND DOMESTIC LAW

  We are committed to helping families and parents, and in protecting children who are part of a family issue, including a divorce or custody proceeding. In divorce and child custody cases in particular, the adversarial process has increased tensions between the parties that do not abate even when the process is complete. We approach family law matters with knowledge, experience and an aggressive and proactive style, but we also believe in reasonableness and cooperation, and we adjust our representation to suit the needs of any particular client. Our attorneys represent clients in a full range of family law matters such as:

  • Adoption
  • Divorce
  • Paternity
  • Child custody
  • Child support
  • Visitation and placement
  • Temporary orders
  • Legal separation
  • Premarital or prenuptial agreements
  • Child abuse and protection
  • No contact orders
  • Temporary protection orders
  • Maintenance or spousal support
  • Post judgment modifications
  • Judgment enforcement
  • Marital property and property division issues

  Divorce-Marriage is a legal relationship between two people. Many legal matters arise when a marriage is to be dissolved and you need help to find your way to an agreeable settlement. As your legal representative, we have the experience and creativity to understand the difficulties that arise and the flexibility to help you discover new ways to cope during this potentially stressful time.

  Child Support-It is undisputed that divorce has emotional implications on the family. Financial implications can be almost as daunting. Because each state has a unique formula for determination of Child Support amounts, you need proactive representation to help you reach a fair settlement and efficiency to reduce legal costs.

  Custody / Visitation-Divorce is traumatic for parents and children. When searching for the right visitation schedule or deciding where the children should live, each party should have an attorney who is knowledgeable of the state standards and sensitive to the concerns of both adults and children.

• ESTATE PLANNING

  At Barry, Harvey & Later, P.C., we handle a variety of estate planning matters, including planning for the distribution of an individual's property at his or her death and taking into account wills, taxes, insurance, property, and trusts so as to gain the maximum benefit of all laws, while, at the same time, carrying out the person's wishes.

  Clients can control the allocation of accumulated assets both before and after death through careful planning for the distribution of property to family members. We deal with the complex network of laws governing gifts, estates and trusts and we use that knowledge to help clients fulfill their short and long-term goals. Available areas of representation include:

  Wills-We devote significant attention to drafting wills that accomplish the intent of our clients and that secure appropriate distribution of assets in accordance with their wishes. As part of the construction of the will, we make every effort to keep tax liability to a minimum and provide for ease of administration for the client's personal representative responsible for concluding the client's affairs after death.

  Trusts-Almost all wills written within the firm for parents of minor children contain a trust for such children. The same permits the client to do for the beneficiaries through their selected trustee, as the client, if still living, would have done for the beneficiaries. Trusts are not limited to matters after death, but include inter vivos trusts, created for use during the client's life. Living Trusts enable the client to manage their funds in a way that avoids the expenses of probate and, in some circumstances, inheritance tax.

  Probate & Estate Administration-Led by attorney Peter Barry, we also handle probate and estate administration. Probate is the legal process by which a person's will is allowed by the Probate Court. The provisions of the will dictate how the individual's debts are paid and assets are distributed upon death. Estate Administration includes the probate process as well as non-probate transfers of the deceased's assets, such as life insurance, annuities, qualified plans, and trust assets and compliance with applicable estate tax requirements. We assist the personal representative of the estate in the gathering, valuation, accounting and distribution of the decedent's assets. We also ensure that all steps are properly taken in order to carry out the decedent's intent in accordance with the law.

  Elder Law-As we get older, many of us are faced with difficult and important decisions regarding our healthcare and our financial well-being. We can help you plan for both the present and the future through the use of wills, trusts, powers of attorney, living wills, and health care directives.

• REAL ESTATE LAW

  At the Barry, Harvey & Later, P.C., we have a broad-based real estate practice and represent clients in all aspects of real estate issues. Our real estate clients include developers, contractors, landlords, tenants, homeowners' associations and purchasers and sellers of real property. Some examples of the services we provides in this area include:

  • Condemnation Matters
  • Development Agreements
  • Construction Contracts
  • Leases
  • Easements
  • Mortgage-Based Financing
  • Mechanics Loans
  • Foreclosures
  • Title Issues

  Residential and Commercial-We represent clients in all residential and commercial real estate proceedings that deal with real property, including purchase and sale, land development, construction, mortgages and foreclosures, leases, land use & zoning, title examinations, quiet title actions, tax deferred exchanges, closings, and management. We handle residential and commercial/industrial transactions throughout the development process; we have counseled developers on subdivisions from inception to sell-out.

  Zoning-Former town attorney John F. Harvey is a valued resource on local as well as broader zoning issues. Because of Mr. Harvey's experience, our firm is frequently contacted by members of the community and current clients for guidance on land use and zoning issues.

• PERSONAL INJURY

  Our firm represents individuals involved in controversies alleging a wrong or damage to another's person, rights, reputation, or property resulting from events or activities such as car accidents, premises liability, infliction of emotional distress, intentional misconduct, and negligence. Initial consultations are always free and contingency fees are available.

  Car Accidents / Other Motor Vehicle Accidents-Many personal injuries result from motor vehicle accidents. Auto accidents may involve negligence on the part of drivers, including drunk driving and reckless behavior. If you are injured in a motor vehicle accident, we can assist you in receiving compensation for your injuries, lost wages, and other damages.