The firm was started in 1974 and is well-known for providing quality legal services to individuals and businesses in Southeast Nebraska. Our firm has extensive experience in many areas of practice and understand the needs of our clients. We take pride in our work and our attorneys and staff are here to assist you with your legal needs.
Our Focus
The firm focuses its practice predominately on Estate Planning, Probate, Business and Real Estate matters. We are also City Attorneys for the City of Falls City. Unlike many rural law firms, we do not handle criminal defense, bankruptcy, divorce or child custody cases which gives us a better opportunity to serve our clients in the above mentioned areas. We strive to understand the needs and goals of our clients and seek a positive outcome that is not only timely but also cost-effective and professional.
Practice Areas
Estate Planning, Probate, Business, Real Estate Matters and Personal Injury
Estate Planning
▪Trusts
▪Wills
▪Powers of Attorney
▪Health Care Directives
▪Transfer on Death Deeds
▪Other Transfer of Wealth Options
▪Gifting
▪Federal Gift Tax Returns
Let our firm assist you with the important process of making plans so that not only you can put your mind at ease that things will be handled as you intended, but to also put your family’s mind at ease that this has been taken care of. Having an Estate Plan in place makes this difficult time a little easier for the loved ones left behind.
Estates
▪Probate Proceedings
▪Inheritance Tax Determinations
▪Federal Estate Tax Returns
▪Trust Administration
After the loss of a loved one our firm strives to make the legal process go as smoothly and easily as possible.
Business – Corporation, LLCs and Related Matters
▪Set up corporations
▪Set up LLCs
▪Business Contracts
Our firm will be glad to offer legal advice as to whether it would be beneficial for you to set up a corporation or LLC to handle your affairs and whether it would be cost-effective as to tax consequences.
Our Attorneys
Richard L. Halbert, Of Counsel
Born and raised in Falls City, Nebraska. Spent several years as a prosecutor in Grand Island, Nebraska before returning to his hometown to practice. Mr. Halbert is a member of the Nebraska State Bar Association and the American Bar Association.
Education: University of Nebraska College of Law, 1968
Bar Location: Nebraska Bar Number: #11659
Michael R. Dunn
Born and raised in Falls City, Nebraska. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Kearney State College in 1979, Cum Laude. He graduated from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 1982 with distinction and was a member of the Nebraska Law Review. Mr. Dunn is a member of the Nebraska State Bar Association, the Southeast Nebraska Bar Association, the American Bar Association and the Order of the Coif. He is also a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation and the Nebraska Bar Foundation. Mr. Dunn was a member of the Nebraska State Bar Association House of Delegates for 20 years and was the 5th District Representative to the Executive Counsel of the Nebraska State Bar Association for 4 years. He is currently Chairman of the Nebraska State Bar Association Legislation Committee. Mr. Dunn’s practice primarily consists of Municipal Law, Real Estate, Estate and Trust planning, Probate with litigation in these areas as well as some Personal Injury litigation. He has been the City Attorney for the City of Falls City since 2012 and also represents several villages on an as needed basis.
Education: University of Nebraska College of Law, 1982
Bar Location: Nebraska Bar Number: #16825
Tracy A. Burns
Born and raised in Dawson, Nebraska. Prior to becoming a lawyer she was a Registered Nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the College of St. Mary in Omaha, Nebraska. After practicing law in North Platte, Lincoln County, Nebraska and at the Department of Insurance in Lincoln, Nebraska, she returned home to Falls City, Nebraska and joined the firm in July, 2021. Education – Creighton University School of Law, 2012.
Bar Location: Nebraska
Bar Number: #25398