Janette Jones, Erica Griffith Brown
Butch Krutzfeldt
Krutzfeldt & Jones
Attorneys at Law
Krutzfeldt & Jones is a small town law firm, and as such, we realize the importance of providing exemplary legal services in an environment of complete trust.
Serving eastern Montana including the communities of Miles City, Hysham, Colstrip, Forsyth, Jordan, Terry, Sidney, Glendive, Baker, Ekalaka and Broadus since 1971
Our Services
Real Estate Transactions
At Krutzfeldt & Jones, we are highly experienced in representing clients in real estate transactions – as both buyers and sellers. We offer myriad legal services to our real estate transaction clients, and provide those which the client believes best suit the transaction. Review of contracts and terms, title company dealings and ensuring that repairs required (or suggested) in the Home Inspection Report are funded properly are just a few of the available services. Whether you’re a buyer or a seller, we will represent your interests from start to finish, and protect you from the often devastating consequences of a mishandled real estate transaction.
Probate Legal Matters
Navigating the waters of Montana’s governing laws for probate can be a complicated, and often frustrating, adventure. Quite often, it can also be emotionally and psychologically draining for those involved in legally and equitably fulfilling the final wishes of the decedent. We remain acutely aware of the personal elements involved in probate issues, while achieving the optimum outcomes for our clients. We are experienced in successfully handling numerous legal probate issues including: assets owned in the decedent’s sole name; assets owned as a tenant in common; predeceased beneficiaries; no designated beneficiaries; when the decedent didn’t have a valid Last Will and Testament; when the decedent has a valid Last Will and Testament.
Contracts
Contracts are agreements that create obligations that can be enforced by law. Despite the fact that there are really only four basic components to contracts, careful attention must be paid to every detail in order for the contract to be genuinely enforceable – for either party concerned. One side of the contract promises something in exchange for what the second side of the contract promises in return: money for services, for example. Contracts are common in everyday life and run the gamut from auto repair to credit cards to bank loans. Most contracts are standardized, but many are not. Unique contracts, as well as contracts involving substantial promises such as home or business construction, the sale of real estate and so forth should be carefully written and reviewed. This due diligence with contracts helps avoid undesirable confusion and misunderstanding. It is also critical in the event that remedies for breach of contract must be sought. Such remedies include general damages, consequential damages, reliance damages and specific performance.
Estate Planning
Proper estate planning is no longer the domain of the wealthy. The adverse effects of various taxes and other potential expenses can be minimized to ensure that your final wishes are expediently and accurately fulfilled. Proper estate planning maximizes the value of your estate, and ensures that your legacy is administered in accordance with your instructions. A comprehensive review of your estate, regardless of its size, will allow you to make informed decisions regarding wills, trusts, insurance, final arrangements and many other considerations. Your estate planning will also allow you to dictate the handling of your affairs, including health care, in the event of your incapacitation. Comprehensive estate planning is your final gift to those who survive you, as well as a means of protecting yourself in the event of a catastrophic occurrence.
Business Services
Krutzfeldt & Jones has been serving the legal needs of eastern Montana business owners for over four decades. Eastern Montana has a broad range of business types that require an even broader range of legal services. At Krutzfeldt & Jones, we have assisted our clients with everything from incorporation and contracts through labor law compliance and arbitration. The agglomeration of laws affecting and governing eastern Montana business is constantly being altered and added to. We here at Krutzfeldt & Jones monitor these ever-evolving laws, and ensure that our clients avoid negative situations and entanglements by complying with all applicable statutes.
Guardianships & Conservatorships
While guardianships and conservatorships are quite similar in manner ways, they differ in just as many ways. Both guardianships and conservatorships provide for the protection of an individual by one or more parties, but the legal limitations of conservatorships may be desirable in many instances. The key to creating the correct instrument for the protected person is to determine what will most satisfactorily fulfill the existing needs, as well as any foreseeable future needs. After that critical decision is made, we at Krutzfeldt & Jones will help with establishing the correct parameters of the guardianship or conservatorship including matters such as: the management of property; control of financial affairs; therapeutic treatments; health; habilitation and support.
Oil & Gas
For over forty years, Krutzfeldt & Jones has handled oil and gas legal matters for countless clients. The accumulation of decades of experience in oil and gas related legal matters, including oil and gas leases, ensures that our clients enjoy premium protections. Whether you are a lessee or a lessor, in matters involving oil and gas rights, the protection of your property, as well as your equipment, privacy and future assets merit the most vigilant and informed attention. At Krutzfeldt & Jones, we can provide the expertise and counsel required to insulate you and your interests from undue harm, while helping you maximize the value of your assets. Oil and gas leases should be thoroughly reviewed by an experienced oil and gas attorney, and explained in detail to the property owner before they are executed.
Special Interest – General Practice
Krutzfeldt & Jones provides legal services and counsel that cover an extensive range of topics in a variety of legal arenas. The breadth of the firm’s experience and expertise stems from over five decades of fulfilling the diverse legal needs of the eastern Montana community of businesses and families. If you have a legal question or dilemma, even if it falls outside of the legal services you see listed on this website, Krutzfeldt & Jones stands ready to help you decipher and resolve your situation. And, of course, complete confidentiality, as well as an understandable and manageable legal process, are afforded to each and every client.
Meet Our Team
Janette Krutzfeldt Jones
LEGAL EXPERIENCE:
•Attorney Partner, Krutzfeldt and Jones, LLP, Miles City, Montana 1995 – present
•Attorney Associate, Hendrickson, Everson, Noennig and Woodward, Billings, Montana 1994-1995
•United States Federal District Court Intern, Chief Justice Jack D. Shanstrom 1993
•Legal Intern, Goetz, Madden & Dunn, Bozeman, Montana 1990 – 1991
EDUCATION:
•Juris Doctorate with honors, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana graduated 1994
•Bachelor of Science, Economics and Public Policy, Swarthmore College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania graduated 1990
•Custer County District High School, Miles City, Montana, Montana State Student Council President, Honor Society, graduated 1986
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Member and Past President — Miles City Rotary; Board Member — Miles City Foster Care Project, Custer Network against Domestic Dispute (CNADA), Raising our Community Kids (ROCKS), Holy Rosary Healthcare Board of Directors, Holy Rosary Healthcare Quality Committee chair, Custer County 4-H Council, Custer County Education Foundation, Custer County Republican Women, Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children, Montana Feed & Fuel, and First Interstate Bank Advisory Board
PERSONAL:
Married to Corey L. Jones, children Julie Kate Jones, Garrett William Jones, and Justin Beck Jones.
Erica Griffith Brown
LEGAL EXPERIENCE:
Attorney, Krutzfeldt and Jones, LLP, Miles City, Montana 2013-present. Attorney and Legal Intern, Brown and Huss, PC, Miles City, Montana 2011 – 2012. Assistant City Attorney and Legal Intern, City of Miles City, 2011 – 2013. Clinical Intern, Criminal Defense Clinic University of Montana School of Law, Missoula, Montana 2011 – 2012. As a clinical intern Erica argued before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco, California. Legal Intern, Snodgrass Copenhaver & Yasenak PLLC, Billings, Montana 2010.
EDUCATION:
Juris Doctorate, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, graduated 2012. Bachelor of Arts, Magna Cum Laude, Political Science Pre-Law Emphasis, Bemidji State University, Bemidji, Minnesota, graduated 2007.
Custer County District High School, Miles City, Montana, Honor Society, graduated 2003.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT & PERSONAL:
Erica is a member and former president of the Miles City Rotary Club; current president of the Southeast Montana Bar; former Board Member of the Confluence and the Miles City Public Library Foundation. In her free time, Erica enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 sons. She enjoys traveling, camping, fishing, gardening, art and sports.
William ‘Butch’ Krutzfeldt
After graduating law school in June of 1969, Butch returned to his hometown of Miles City with his infant daughter, Janette, and bride, Julie, to manage his family’s ranch operation and begin his legal practice. Butch began his law career as an associate attorney for Lucas and Monaghan in Miles City in 1970. Butch “hung his shingle” for private practice in 1971, opening Krutzfeldt Law Office. He sharpened his trial and advocacy skills as the Custer County Attorney during a seven year tenure of public service. After retiring from the County Attorney position, Butch practiced agricultural and business law in Miles City.
In 1995, Butch welcomed his daughter, Janette Krutzfeldt Jones, to join him in Miles City to form Krutzfeldt & Jones, LLP. Butch turned over the reins to his practice with complete trust that his clients would be well served by the next generation Krutzfeldt attorney. Butch continues to serve as an “of counsel” attorney to Krutzfeldt & Jones providing invaluable insight, history, experience and practical wisdom to the active attorneys of Krutzfeldt & Jones.
Butch has been married to Julie Krutzfeldt for over half a century, and together they have five grown children and 11 grandchildren. Butch continues to enjoy varied Montana business interests with cattle, ranches, rentals and enterprise development.
Contact Us
Krutzfeldt & Jones, LLP
Attorneys at Law
507 Pleasant Street, Miles City, MT
Directions
406-234-1222
FAX: 406-234-5864
Our Regular Business Hours
Monday — Friday: 8-5
Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Federal Holidays: Closed
Please use the secure form below to send us a message anytime.