Steve Darty

Steve Darty hung a shingle in 2012 intent on providing a different experience for Montanans looking to preserve both their assets and their family story. With a belief in flat fees and straight talk, he built a practice focused on the client, not the law firm. Those early principals evolved into the firm’s current mission statement: “To utilize every applicable law and opportunity to protect the assets, peace of mind, and the dignity of aging for Montanans”.

Steve writes an Estate Planning column for The Missoulian, is a frequent speaker on the topics of Estates and Elder Law, and is a member in good standing with many highfalutin organizations. However, his greatest pride and joy is his 10 year old son Gus. The two of whom can often be found chasing adventures in the great Montana outdoors. And despite the older of the 2 getting outwitted by much of Montana’s fish and game, the 2 never fail to score their endeavors as a success beyond reproach! A family man first, and lawyer second, Steve is proud to call Missoula home and always welcomes the opportunity to make a new friend.

Tracie Behr

Tracie first experienced Missoula, Montana when her husband, Ryan, played a playoff college football game against the Grizzlies and although her team was defeated, she fell in love with the area and vowed to return. Montana was easy to fall in love with due to the beautiful terrain and welcoming people. She was accustomed to a friendly way of life growing up in a small Iowa farming community and always hoped to return to an area that had that same atmosphere. Iowa afforded Tracie the opportunity to grow as a professional in a variety of industries while sharpening her business skills. She worked tirelessly to create and run her own companies, managed and trained a large staff in the financial sector, drafted and lobbied to pass laws for farmers through the Iowa General Assembly, directed large teams of engineers, contractors, and outside counsel on a national level to ensure leasehold interests were intact and financial due diligence was perfected during mergers and acquisitions for renewable energy projects ranging from $100 -$350 million, and operated as a member of the executive team while she was the COO/CFO for a statewide not for profit law firm that handled a plethora of civil legal issues for low-income Iowans. She received her Master’s in Public Administration from Drake University while simultaneously earning her Juris Doctor with a legislative emphasis from Drake Law School in Des Moines, Iowa. She is licensed to practice law in Iowa. Tracie and Ryan have four children, Halie, Lexie, Rylie, and Griffin.  While their daughters are grown, their son is still in high school.  Her son plans to take full advantage of all Montana has to offer as a true outdoorsman. Tracie is overjoyed to be part of the Montana Elder Law team where she can continue her mission to help others in the community while also affording her family a beautiful new area to explore.

Stefan Kolis

Stefan Kolis, Esq, got his start in the law through his AmeriCorps services, helping low income Montanans file civil cases on their own at the Self-Help Law Center in Great Falls and Kalispell. Discoveringpersonal value helping others, he went to work for Montana Legal Services Association for two years, until he decided he could do more to help those in need with a law degree. During his law school career at the University of Montana School of Law, he was a Volunteer Hearing Officer for Missoula Housing Authority, ex officio board member of the Montana Justice Foundation, on the Montana Supreme Court’s Access to Justice Commission’s Law School Partnership Committee, and organized law students to volunteer for Missoula’s End of Life Document Clinic. Stefan graduated in 2017, and received the 2017 Equal Justice Works Public Interest Law Award.

Born in Illinois, but growing up in Havre, MT, the mountains and open space always demanded his attention; he grew up fishing, hunting, camping, and generally living on the Hi-Line. When his family moved to Wisconsin, he knew he would always return to the West. Stefan went to college at Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota, was Captain of the Men’s Soccer Team his senior year, and graduated in 2010 with honors with a degree in Sociology and Anthropology. After college, Stefan moved back to Montana, where he taught himself how to fly fish, telemark, mountain bike, and backpack. He now spends as much time as possible exploring Montana’s wild areas.

Stefan was hired at Montana Elder Law in the spring of 2017, and specializes in writing estate plans for Montanans. He writes plans for folks which allow middle class families to pass on their most cherished assets, while ensuring they get the care and assistance they will need. He views this work as protecting families from sliding into poverty. Stefan also drafts Special Needs Trusts, which allow disabled individuals to receive supplemental income while still receiving government benefits such as Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid. Finally, Stefan works on probate matters, assisting families administer their loved one’s estate in what is often the most difficult period of life.

Sarah Corbally

Sarah Corbally has been practicing law since 2003, when she began her career as a Deputy County Attorney and Assistant Attorney General in Montana, seeking justice for vulnerable victims. With an undergraduate degree in Social Work from the University of Montana and a law degree from the University of Denver, Sarah has focused her entire career on helping others. Prior to joining Montana Elder Law, Sarah also worked in government administration and private solo practice assisting families and children in civil legal matters. Sarah’s prior experience has prepared her well for working with the complex laws and regulations that underlie much of Montana Elder Law’s practice.

Sarah is married to a third generation Montanan. They met during undergraduate school in Missoula and have been married for 18 years. Together, they have two children, both girls. Sarah’s youngest child also has Down Syndrome, which has led Sarah to be particularly interested in helping families with special needs children plan for their futures. When not at work, Sarah loves to spend time in the outdoors with her family skiing, hiking, or just relaxing.

Eric Hettinga

Eric Hettinga has practiced law since 2005 with the purpose of helping others by providing clients the legal tools and mechanisms required to accomplish their goals.  Eric values relationships and his practice focuses on Asset Protection, Medicaid Planning for Long Term Care, and assisting Veterans in obtaining maximum benefits.

Before joining Montana Elder Law, Eric served on Active Duty in the U.S. Army for over 20 years as a Field Artillery Officer and Army JAG Attorney, including a combat tour in Iraq.  Upon completing his military service, Eric returned with his wife and three daughters to their family’s hometown of Kalispell, Montana to be close to relatives and friends, and to put down permanent roots in the state they love.  Eric has an undergraduate degree in American Legal Studies and Systems Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point; a Master of Public Administration Degree from the University of Oklahoma; and a Law Degree from Arizona State University.  He is licensed to practice law in Montana, Arizona, and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Danielle Shyne

Danielle Shyne is a Bozeman Montana native and a Magna Cum Laude graduate of the Gonzaga University School of Law, in Spokane Washington. Prior to joining Montana Elder Law, Danielle clerked for the Honorable Chief Justice Mike McGrath and the Honorable Michael Wheat of the Montana Supreme Court. Danielle is licensed to practice law in Montana and Washington.

Danielle’s professional life has been dedicated to helping others through her work at the Montana Governor’s Office, the Montana Governor’s Office of Community Service, and the non-profit Thrive. During law school, Danielle supported the Gonzaga Public Interest Law Project and the Women’s Law Caucus. Additionally, Danielle fought for her clients at the Unemployment Law Project and interned for the Chief Justice of the Washington State Supreme Court, Mary Fairhurst.

Danielle has two wonderful children and a miniature schnauzer with her husband of 8 years, whom she met while earning her undergraduate degree at the University of Montana. She enjoys hiking and swimming, spending time with her large extended family in Bozeman, and exploring the small towns of Montana.

Chelsea Sweeney

Chelsea Sweeney is fairly new to the Montana life and she is enjoying every minute of it. Growing up in a small farming community in Southern Minnesota, she always had a passion for the outdoors which she brought with her when she attended Gustavus Adolphus College. Graduating in 2013 with a degree in Biology, with a focus on native plants, she knew she had to live somewhere that offered both easy access to the outdoors and the big town life. Moving here just over 3 years ago, Missoula became the perfect place to call home. She started working for Target as an HR Team Member and then was hired on at Montana Elder Law in the Summer of 2017. On days off you will find her, along with her dog Kringle, either hiking new trails or fly fishing on the river. They will take any excuse to explore what the State of Montana has to offer.

Elizabeth Simpson

Elizabeth Simpson grew up in a small Texas town with her 4 brothers and sister. Her first job was working with individuals with disabilities, it was because of this job that she developed a strong passion to help individuals in need. When she moved to Montana she began working as a Director for an In-Home Care Agency working with the elderly and disabled. Through this position, she had become extremely familiar with a variety of different insurances as well as Medicaid and VA benefits. She has extensive experience working with families as well as individuals from different financial backgrounds, and helps find the best options for their long term care. She prides herself in her ability to listen and find new and creative ways to help ensure individuals’ needs are met. She loves living in Montana, and when she has free time you can find her hiking with her pack of dogs, or just relaxing with her family.

Tammie Lund Smith

Tammie Lund Smith graduated from the University of Great Falls with a degree in Paralegal Studies in 1986. Since that date she has been practicing primarily in Elder Law, Probates, Trusts, Social Security Disability, Real Estate, Estate Planning, VA Pension, Indian Law and some Family Law. Prior to this area of law, she handled bankruptcy cases, various litigation cases, and handled criminal investigations. What she realized early in her career is she loved working with people directly and she wanted to make sure someone would be there for them as a listening ear during some of their more difficult times in their lives, that is why her focus was probates and trusts.  Tammie was the President of the Paralegal Section of the Montana State Bar Association for many years until she decided to step down to Vice President for several years.  Tammie sat on the Access to Justice Committee when it was initially formed.  Tammie testified in front of the Legislature regarding the Unauthorized Practice of Law in relation to a specific case; Tammie was instrumental in drafting a bill and getting it passed into law.

Tammie and Dwayne married in 2013 and together have 7 children (5 spouses), 3 grandchildren and more on the way.  Tammie's parents moved in to live with her in April 2017 to get the medical caretaking they needed. She remains the Caretaker for her mom. Tammie enjoys getting to know her clients.  When Tammie isn’t working, she is with her family boating and camping.

Suzanne Voss

Suzanne Voss graduated with high honors from Missoula College with a degree in Paralegal Studies in 2012. Suzanne grew up “in the saddle” on the Little Big Horn River at the foot of the Big Horn Mountains on a ranch surrounded by family. Her first experience with Wills and Probates was when her father died suddenly leaving a large ranch and her mother, her siblings and herself behind. He had gotten his estate put together beforehand, thankfully. Soon after, her paternal grandmother passed away. The complexities of family dynamics and figuring out how to divide heirlooms and a large estate “in equal shares” between surviving heirs and descendants set the stage for Suzanne’s desire to figure out how to help others who are facing the same difficulties. She is a widow and understands the difficulties and complex issues people face in carrying out their loved one’s last wishes.

Suzanne has been practicing in Estates, Elder Law, and Indian Law and is excited to now add Probate. She is dedicated to the elevation of her fellow human beings and finds that working in the field of law is an excellent vehicle.

In her time off, Suzanne loves to create and she enjoys drawing landscapes or abstracts using pastels or making collages with different mediums and papers. She also plays the piano for a bit of fun and relaxation and enjoys getting out into nature in the Blackfoot River Valley. She has two wonderful children who live nearby – in Montana terms!

Joyce Statton

Joyce Statton worked for Montana state government for 30 years; retired from Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. After retirement, Joyce began working with elderly patrons in need of assistance and, most recently, with Medicaid applications and court appointed conservatorships. Joyce’s multi-situational and intensive work experiences, plus her compassionate nature, make her a valuable and knowledgeable resource. She is married, has grown children, and many beloved grandchildren. Her favorite pastimes are jigsaw puzzles, cross stitch, and spending hours outside in her yard and garden.

Kate Strauss

Kate began her career as an electronics technician in the Navy. She completed her Associate of Arts with the University of Maryland while on active duty. Separating from service in 2003, she moved back to Virginia, where she completed her Registered Nursing degree. Not quite yet satisfied, she returned to school while working full-time and earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with Old Dominion University.

Kate’s passion for community advocacy is an ongoing thread throughout her career. While on active duty, she volunteered thousands of hours as a Sexual Assault Victim Advocate, as well as an Equal Opportunity Representative. She later became certified as a Pediatric Forensic Nurse Examiner, responsible for physical evidence recovery, physical and emotional assessment, and patient/family education. Kate has a particular love for older adults and has worked as a hospice volunteer, as well as a volunteer driver for the senior homebound. She joined Montana Elder Law in the fall of 2018, a role which has facilitated her dedication to empowering and maintaining the independence of our valuable older adult community members.

Most importantly, Kate is grateful for her husband of twelve years and their son, Nathan, who is currently in graduate school pursuing a degree in Veterinary Medicine. After seizing the opportunity in 2017 for a hiatus and traveling the country for 18 months in their vintage 1970 Avion travel trailer, Kate and her husband fell in love with The Last Best Place and are so thankful to call Missoula their new hometown.