Christian Samson & Baskett represents creditor clients in bankruptcy cases and matters involving creditor rights. The firm has also represented clients in both state and federal receivership cases. We provide legal counsel to a variety of clients in areas related to insolvency, receiverships and distressed or financially troubled companies.

It is disconcerting to be investigated for, much less accused of, committing a crime. Whether that accusation is a traffic offense, a federal felony, or something in between, the attorneys at Christian, Samson & Baskett are ready to assist and advise you. Our attorneys will vigorously defend and protect your rights, while also ensuring that you understand how the process works, and can engage appropriately with everyone from law enforcement to probation officers. 

Dissolving a marriage or adopting a parenting plan for your children is an endeavor faced by thousands of Montana families every year. At Christian, Samson & Baskett, PLLC, our team has over twenty years of experience compassionately and professionally representing people who are dealing with family law issues in the Montana Court system.

Although family law is a highly technical area of the law, it also addresses some of the most personal and private of matters of most people’s lives, including everything a couple owns, and owes, their children, and their mental health. Our attorneys are compassionate and caring, as well as experienced and capable. Although the vast majority of our family law cases settle out of court, we regularly take cases to trial, and on appeal to the Montana Supreme Court. We are versatile and able to structure our representation to the needs of each individual client and case.

Whatever the issues you are facing in your family law matter, whether you are looking for help dissolving your marriage, need help determining a developmentally-appropriate parenting schedule and parenting plan for your child, or need help enforcing an agreement or decision which has already been made, our office stands ready to offer assistance.

Whether you are sole proprietor, a family-owned business, or a local, regional or national business, our attorneys have the knowledge and experience to help your business succeed, grow, and manage risk. Our attorneys have experience working with businesses of all types and sizes, from professional offices to a hobby that turns into a “side-hustle” we can help to protect you, your ideas, and your investment.  We understand that running a business requires hard work, and quick answers when questions arise.

We partner with our business clients to match our experienced attorneys with their specific needs, as those needs arise.  Several of our attorneys specialize in business matters, but our diverse firm means we also have attorneys who can readily assist in matters such as property transactions, tax issues, bankruptcy and collections.

Tax law is a highly specialized field of practice.  Christian, Samson & Baskett is fortunate to have two attorneys who practice in this area; Richard Baskett is also a CPA in Montana, and Bridger Christian holds an LLM in tax from Northwestern University.  Whether you are have delinquent taxes, unresolved issues with the IRS, or simply want to engage in planning for your estate or business, they are highly skilled in this very technical area of the law.

An estate plan helps to ensure that the people and things you care about are protected.  Our attorneys help you identify your needs and desires, and to plan and prepare for the future. We prepare wills and trusts, and create the mechanisms for the proper distribution of your assets per your wishes. Most importantly, we help ensure your children are provided for and that mechanisms are in place so your children, and/or grandchildren, do not receive a windfall before they are mature enough to receive an inheritance. Our attorneys are experienced in drawing up both simple and complex wills, medical powers of attorney, financial powers of attorney, healthcare directives, trusts, family business succession plans, and other estate planning tools.  With two attorneys who also hold tax degrees and certifications, Christian Samson & Baskett is also uniquely skilled in helping to maximize the amount of your estate which passes to your heirs.

Probate is a court proceeding to distribute a decedent’s probate assets to the proper recipients and if necessary to determine the validity of the decedent’s last will and testament. We usually serve in the capacity of the attorney for the Personal Representative, and in that capacity prepare the papers necessary to open the probate, publish notice to creditors, provide notice to the heirs and devisees, prepare any necessary estate tax and income tax returns, and assist with an accounting for the estate. We also can act as the personal representative of the estate.

At Christian, Samson & Baskett, PLLC, our lawyers offer compassionate counsel and effective advocacy for accident victims and their families. Our personal injury lawyers are fully equipped with versatile knowledge and experience to take on nearly any type of injury claim. No matter what the circumstances are surrounding your injury, we are prepared to go the distance on your behalf in pursuit of a fair and successful resolution.

If your injuries were the result of another party’s negligent or intentional conduct, you may be able to recover monetary damages for your pain and suffering, damaged property, medical bills, lost wages, lost earning potential, and emotional distress. Since compensation will vary depending on the severity of a person’s injuries, it is important that you consult with our experienced personal injury attorneys in order to fully and accurately understand the scope of your compensable damages and legal rights.

Litigation is broadly defined as handling disputes in a court system.  Our attorneys regularly handle disputes of all types, and in all courts in Montana, from District Court to Federal Court.  Regardless of the substance of the dispute, we are comfortable representing our clients’ interests in Court, and we have the experience and relationships to ensure our clients feel protected and knowledgeable about the legal process.  

Cal Christian, one of our partners at Christian, Samson & Baskett, has operated ranches throughout the western United States, and in Hawaii, for over 50 years. Whatever the issues your ranch is facing, we have a uniquely comprehensive understanding of ranch operations, and stand ready to assist you and your family.

As an extension of our real estate practice, we also represent landlords in the preparation of rental agreements, leases, and renewals.  When issues arise, we also handle modifications, terminations, evictions, and disputes between a landlord and tenant.

At Christian, Samson & Baskett, we have a long history of successfully representing our clients in a wide variety of real estate transactions including: individual property owners, farm and ranch clients, developers, condominium and homeowner associations, and title insurance companies in all matters encountered before, during and after real estate transactions and development projects. 

We help local, regional, and national companies purchase, sell, lease and finance all types of property, and we represent our clients in disputes regarding property transactions including claims, management, and underwriting advice.

We have developed a niche specialty in expediently handling 1031 exchanges.

Today, most disputes are resolved outside of Court. When disputes cannot be settled by the parties themselves, it is often helpful to engage in some form of alternative dispute resolution. The attorneys at Christian, Samson & Baskett are skilled negotiators, and often we are able to help our clients reach resolution outside of a court process or trial.  When a dispute cannot be easily resolved, the Court will often require mediation before setting the matter for trial. There are typically three types of alternative dispute resolution, namely facilitative mediation, settlement conferences, and arbitration.

Facilitative mediation is the type of alternative dispute resolution in which the mediator facilitates a discussion between the parties (typically the parties are talking directly with one another as part of the conversation), in an effort to reach an agreement.  

Settlement conferences are similar to facilitative mediation, except that the parties are generally not talking directly to one another. Rather, the mediator (called a “settlement master”) talks separately with each party, and then passes offers between the parties, while adding some of their own thoughts and ideas to help the parties find solutions to their dispute. Although the settlement master can make recommendations or give their opinion as to how the issues could be resolved, a settlement master cannot make decisions for the parties. 

Arbitration is different from mediation, and settlement conferences, because only in arbitration can the arbitrator resolve the dispute for the parties. The parties choose how they would like their arbitration to be handled, and submit their positions through written briefs, or by having witnesses testify, or by submitting exhibits.  

In all forms of dispute resolution, having a mediator, settlement master, or arbitrator (also known as a “neutral”) who is highly skilled and also knowledgeable about the area of law in dispute, is extremely helpful. Attorneys at Christian, Samson & Baskett have that type of experience and expertise, both as advocates for our clients, and as neutrals.

We work closely with developers and neighborhood groups to create appropriate use allowances and restrictions on new property divisions.  Our project development services include land use planning; preparing covenants, easements and operating agreements; organizing owners’ associations; and developing architectural standards.  We have the experience and relationships with city and county offices and governing officials, to move development projects forward, and to enforce restrictions which are already in place.

Our attorneys also regularly practice in the area of water rights.  Water is a resource vital to real estate, agriculture, and recreation in Montana.  We have the knowledge and expertise to protect our clients’ interests, and to help them navigate changing geography, resource limitations, and available technology.  We represent clients in district court, as well as the Montana Water Court, to ensure their water rights are property established, and protected.