When someone leaves behind a handwritten will, they probably had good intentions. They took the time to write something down. They put their wishes in their own words. On its face, that can feel like enough. But creating a will isn’t only about intentions, there are legal hoops that must be jumped through.

Howard Hughes is a well-known example of how that can go wrong. After his death in 1976, a handwritten document surfaced that appeared to outline how he wanted his humongous estate distributed. It quickly became the center of national attention. Where was it found? When did he write it? Was it even authentic?

Those questions weren’t easy to answer. The document was challenged, scrutinized, and ultimately rejected by the court. Despite the existence of a handwritten “plan,” Hughes was treated as though he had no valid will at all. His estate fell back on the state’s default rules, and what followed was years of litigation and uncertainty.

Why Should I Care?

Most estates don’t involve mysterious documents or national headlines. But handwritten wills still show up in everyday situations:

• A note written at home and kept with personal papers 
• A document started with good intentions but never finalized 
• Instructions written down without much thought to legal requirements 

In Idaho, a handwritten will can be valid but only if the material portions are in the person’s handwriting and it’s clear they intended it to function as a will.

Even when those requirements are met, a handwritten will doesn’t avoid probate and doesn’t eliminate uncertainty. It still has to be located, accepted by the court, and interpreted if questions arise.

What feels simple to write can be complicated to carry out. A handwritten will sits in an uncomfortable middle ground. It’s not the same as having no plan, but it doesn’t provide the clarity of a well-structured one either.

If it doesn’t meet the legal requirements, it may be ignored entirely. If it does, it can still leave room for interpretation, delay, and dispute. Either way, the outcome may look very different from what was intended.

The Bottom Line

Writing something down is a good instinct. But for that will to work, it must do more than express intent. That means following the legal requirements, making sure the document can be found, and understanding how it fits into the probate process.

Without that, even a handwritten will can lead right back to the same place as no plan at all.

A Practical First Step

If you’ve written down your wishes, or are thinking about it, the next step is making sure those instructions will actually work when they’re needed.

Taking that extra step now can prevent a lot of uncertainty later.

-Jane Powell

I’ve worked with businesses throughout my entire legal career. I’ve spent time inside a Fortune 100 company, and I’ve also helped individuals set up small businesses that started as side gigs. I’ve always been fascinated by businesses and energized by their journeys—watching how ideas turn into something real. 

What’s interesting is that I didn’t come from a family of entrepreneurs. For a long time, I assumed business ownership was for someone else. 

A couple of years ago, a light bulb went off. I have spent years helping businesses form, grow, scale, and sell. I understood the legal, strategic, and practical issues that show up at every stage. At some point, I asked myself a simple question: why not put that knowledge to use and build something of my own? 

Working at other law firms and companies was a great experience. I learned a lot and worked with talented people. But I also realized I wanted more. I wanted to be more entrepreneurial. I wanted to be more entrenched in the decision-making process and to work side-by-side with fellow entrepreneurs and business owners. 

I missed the variety and challenge that comes with advising people who are building and running businesses. And candidly, I wanted to see if I could do it myself—not just help others do it. So, I took the leap and started my own firm. 

What 15 Years of Practicing Law Taught Me 

In May 2026, I’ll reach the 15-year anniversary of graduating from law school. Over that time, my practice has taken me around the country and involved matters touching issues across the globe. It’s been very different from what I imagined when I started—and rewarding in ways I couldn’t have anticipated. 

One lesson has come up repeatedly: it is almost always easier to address problems sooner rather than later. 

Clients who seek legal advice early generally have better outcomes. Those who wait until the last minute often end up paying more and dealing with far more stress than they expected. I’ve said to many clients over the years, “You can pay me $5,000 to do this now, or $50,000 to fix it later.” In my experience, that sentiment is almost universally true. 

My Approach to Legal Advice 

My goal is to be a trusted advisor to my clients. That phrase can sound like a cliché, but I take it seriously. 

I want to understand the full range of challenges my clients are facing—not just the narrow legal question in front of them. I aim to be proactive and to connect dots that clients may not see because they’re busy running their businesses. 

Legal advice shouldn’t exist in a vacuum. Business decisions involve risk, timing, relationships, and practical realities. My role is to help clients understand those risks, weigh their options, and make informed decisions that align with their goals. 

What Clients Can Expect When Working With Me 

At the core of my practice is a focus on building meaningful relationships. I want to work with people I like, and I expect clients to want an attorney they like as well. 

That said, liking someone isn’t enough. Too often, I hear stories about attorneys who are unresponsive or difficult to reach. My goal is to provide a better legal experience. 

I return calls and emails. I communicate proactively. I don’t want clients to feel that nothing will happen unless they follow up repeatedly. When a client engages me, I see it as my responsibility to follow through on what I promise—and if circumstances change, to communicate that clearly and promptly. 

Who I Work Best With 

My clients are typically individuals who own or operate one or more businesses. Most have multiple business interests that they juggle and need help quarterbacking those legal issues. 

The clients that tend to be the best fit are those who understand and value legal services. They see legal advice as an important part of running and growing a business, not just something to turn to when there’s a problem. 

I work best with people who are entrepreneurial-minded and seeking growth. These are clients who value professional services and have a team to support them. They appreciate expertise, speed of delivery, and clarity in the legal advice they receive. 

Issues I Wish Clients Would Call About Earlier 

I wish all clients would seek legal guidance before setting up a legal entity. Sometimes it seems “easy” and straightforward. But I deal with clients almost weekly where the problem could have been avoided with early intervention. 

Over my 15 years of practice, I’ve seen a lot of partnerships start strong and later go south, often because there weren’t clear agreements in place from the beginning. 

Many people don’t fully understand the nuances of entity selection from a state law perspective, or the federal tax implications that come along with that choice. And if they have a partner, they assume that the good relationship they have will never sour. Unfortunately, it often does, and having good agreements in place up front can save a lot of headaches and disagreement down the road. 

Why Local Relationships Matter to Me 

I was born and raised in Ohio, I live outside of Boise, and my wife’s family is in Utah. I have a presence in all of those places. 

Even in a world where Zoom meetings are the norm, getting to know people on a personal level—clients and other professionals alike—matters to me. I value face-to-face relationships. I want to understand the people I work with, not just their businesses. 

While running a law firm is certainly a way to support a family, I’m not building a practice solely to maximize short-term profit. I’m focused on long-term relationships and sustainable growth. I’d rather work with fewer clients and provide excellent service than try to take on as many matters as possible. 

A Bit About Me Outside of Law 

Outside of practicing law, I enjoy traveling, following sports, and spending time with my family—ideally all at the same time. 

So far, I’ve traveled to 47 states and 16 countries, with plenty more on the list. Travel expands my perspective and worldview, and I genuinely believe it makes me a more thoughtful and empathetic attorney. 

A Note to the Reader 

The goal of this blog is to provide practical insights and guidance for individuals and business owners. The law can be dense and difficult to navigate, but my aim is to make it more accessible and useful. 

If that sounds helpful to you, I’m glad you’re here—and I hope you’ll stay tuned.