I became a lawyer because I wanted to help regular, ordinary folks with the kinds of problems you might think <em>shouldn’t</em> require a lawyer – but too often they do.  I can help you with most civil law problems, including family law, bankruptcy, estate planning, wills &amp; probate, small business matters, real estate transactions, landlord-tenant concerns, and most other civil law matters.

Regardless of the subject matter, I take pride in getting cases settled, without litigation, whenever reasonably possible.  I will listen carefully to your concerns, I will explain how your case fits into the law, so you can understand what's happening at every stage.

<em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Family law.</span> </em> From "simple" uncontested divorce to complex child custody and support cases, from paternity to adoption, I have helped hundreds of Kansas families through some of the most difficult times of their lives, including cases involving grandparents' rights, Child-In-Need-of-Care ("CINC") and Protection From Abuse ("PFA") proceedings, and other serious complications.

<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a title="What is Bankruptcy?" href="http://johnbodlelaw.com/bankruptcy-basics/what-is-bankruptcy-2/">Bankruptcy</a></em></span><em> </em>provides a Fresh Start for folks who are in over their heads – usually, because of circumstances beyond their control.  (Bankruptcy is NOT the end of the world!)  I help individuals and families get the fresh start they need through bankruptcy under <a title="Bankruptcy Chapters" href="http://johnbodlelaw.com/bankruptcy-basics/what-is-bankruptcy-2/the-chapters/">Chapter 7</a> and <a title="Bankruptcy Chapters" href="http://johnbodlelaw.com/bankruptcy-basics/what-is-bankruptcy-2/the-chapters/">Chapter 13</a>. Usually, that includes eliminating all or most of their unsecured debt, such as credit card and medical debt.  Bankruptcy also provides a way out of secured debt that is "upside-down" (when the collateral is worth less than the remaining debt).

<em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Estate planning</span></em> and end-of-life planning includes wills, probate, living trusts, and living wills and other health care directives.  This is not just for rich people, folks; it's for everybody – anyone who cares how they die and anyone who cares about the ones they'll leave behind.  I can make it easy if you let me help you plan ahead.

<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Business &amp; major personal transactions.</em></span>  Smart people know an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  Whenever you consider a major financial transaction such as buying a house or some other major contract, a consultation could save you untold heartache, to say nothing of more dollars than anybody wants to count.

<em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Landlord-tenant</span></em> matters and most other civil law matters.