A Personal Introduction to My Practice
If you are reading this at the start of the MBM Chtd blog, welcome. I am Brent Morgan, and I own Brent Morgan, Chartered, an Idaho professional corporation through which I practice law. I hope this introduction gives you a sense of where I come from, the work I do, and how I approach the problems people bring to my office.
I was born and raised in southeastern Idaho and earned a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Idaho. My first job after college was in Ford Motor Company's management training program in Detroit. In 1969, during the Vietnam era, I joined the U.S. Air Force, trained as a weapon systems operator in the F-4 Phantom, and served six years on active duty. During that time, I earned an MBA from Golden Gate University. I left active duty in 1976, joined the Utah Air National Guard, and attended law school at Brigham Young University, receiving my law degree in 1979. After two years practicing in Utah, I returned to Idaho; I have practiced in Pocatello since 1981. I continued serving in the Utah Air National Guard for more than 25 years, retiring in 2000 as Director of Operations with the rank of colonel.
My practice has included personal injury, misdemeanor criminal matters, wills, trusts, and probate, but over the years I have focused increasingly on divorce and family law. That work includes custody and child support modifications, prenuptial agreements, adoption, guardianships, and mediation. These areas may look different on paper, but each asks a person or family to make decisions with lasting consequences. My job is to help clients understand the issues, consider their options, and move toward a practical resolution.
Divorce often brings several questions at once: how parents will make decisions for their children, where children will spend their time, what support is appropriate, and how property and debt should be identified, valued, and divided. I work with clients to distinguish property and obligations they brought into a marriage, or received by gift or inheritance, from property and obligations acquired during it. In more complicated cases, experts may be needed to locate or value property. A workable outcome requires attention not only to what is fair, but also to how an agreement or court decision will function in everyday life.
When children are involved, I want to understand the family's actual circumstances, including concerns a parent may have about decision-making or a child's care. Custody, parenting time, and support cannot be reduced to a single formula for every family. My role may be to help negotiate a resolution, participate in mediation, or present a client's case at trial. I also help people consider prenuptial agreements when they want to address property or other potential complications before marriage.
My family-law work extends to adoption, termination of parental rights, and guardianships. Some matters can proceed with consent; others require contested proceedings and evidence presented to the court. Whether the matter involves a child or an adult who needs care and support, I try to identify what the court will need to decide and help clients prepare for that process.
I also assist with wills, trusts, and probate. Not everyone needs the same estate-planning documents, and not every estate requires probate. I start by asking what needs to be accomplished, then help with the documents or proceedings that fit those needs. I do not offer tax advice; when complicated tax questions arise, I can work from the recommendations of tax or financial advisers or help find someone who can address them. If an estate dispute cannot be resolved informally, I can help gather and present the evidence needed in a formal proceeding.
I am a certified family-law mediator and have trained in mediating many kinds of disputes. When serving as a mediator, my role is to help the participants identify their issues, understand each other's positions, and explore an agreement they can both accept—not to advocate for one side. Sometimes compromise is the path forward; sometimes progress begins with a clearer understanding of what is practical, especially where children are affected.
In my own practice, more than 90% of my cases have resolved out of court, although complicated custody and property disputes can require substantial trial work. I seek the most efficient and economical path available, including appropriate forms of alternative dispute resolution, while preparing to litigate when the case requires it. I know that people come to a lawyer because they want problems resolved, not aggravated. I will tell you if I cannot help, and I will speak candidly if something you are doing is making your case harder. Understanding both sides of a dispute helps me explain your options and work with you toward a resolution.
This blog shares my perspective on the questions that arise in these areas of practice. I hope it helps you feel better prepared to ask questions about your own situation.
