New Mexicans are special.
Those of us who call the Land of Enchantment home are highly entrepreneurial and often have small businesses or unusual assets. We have strong family ties. Our firm is deeply rooted in this state and we are attuned to the unique needs of the people here.
Our approach is one of respect and caring. Death can be quite devastating to families. The depth of our experience enables us to prepare our clients for this eventuality and guide them to outcomes that make financial sense, as well as sense for their family.
Albuquerque Office
8804C Washington St NE
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87113
phone: 505.883.2702
fax: 505.883.2734
Farmington Office
2117 E., 20th Street
Farmington, NM 87401
phone: 505.325.1802
Our Practice
Knowledge and compassion
To me, there’s no greater honor than someone selecting me to assist them through the legal process associated with a death. I’ve sat down with hundreds of people over the years. I’ve seen a wide variety of situations, but I will not ever tell you I know how you feel because it’s different for everybody.
The loss of a loved one is never easy, but we strive to make it less overwhelming by making the legal ramifications as straightforward as possible.
As a small firm, we have the opportunity to get to know our clients and their families personally. In some cases, we have worked with three generations of the same family over an extended period of time. Our collaborative process ensures that our clients have the information and guidance they need to proceed confidently with their estate planning decisions.
I believe that being a lawyer is about serving. All of us at this firm chose the estate-planning field because we see it as an opportunity to have a positive impact on people’s lives at a difficult moment of transition.
-- Ken Leach
A Proactive Approach
Estate planning is a bit like ranching. It’s easier to prepare and do the work up front than it is to solve problems down the line. Rather than be the ranch hand who has to gather animals all over the range after they have escaped from the coral, we prefer to keep them in the coral, and keep things orderly.
We do everything we can to prepare our clients so the difficult decisions are made in advance and the plans for the disposition of the estate are up to date.
This proactive approach fosters clear thinking and leads to decisions that make the most sense for your family and your finances. We believe that while tax efficiency is an important part of estate planning, the most important component is the effect on the family. We help our clients make informed choices well in advance so that a plan is in place for any eventuality.
Our Team
Kenneth C. Leach, Attorney
For more than 40 years, Ken has maintained his own practice, enabling him to be uncompromising about his client-focused approach. In addition to his strong client base in Albuquerque, Ken frequently travels throughout the state to serve smaller cities and more remote areas of New Mexico.
Fellow: The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC)
Listed: Martindale-Hubbell’s Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers
Member: University of New Mexico Law School Alumni Association (President, 1992); Albuquerque Bar Association; New Mexico Estate Planning Council; Southern New Mexico Estate Planning Council; The New Mexico Board of Legal Specialization, An Agency of the Supreme Court of New Mexico; Estate Planning, Trusts & Probate Law Specialty Committee; San Juan College Foundation Board; Member of Board of Trustees of Albuquerque Community Foundation; United Way of Central New Mexico Planned Giving Committee
Past Member: University of New Mexico Foundation Board (1995-2003); Gift Acceptance Committee, UNM Foundation (Chairman of Committee, 2000)
Recognitions: Selected for 19 consecutive years (1996-2015) for listing in the prestigious “The Best Lawyers in America” publication (Trust & Estates section); Received the Excellence in Charitable Gift Planning Award for 2006, awarded by the Albuquerque Community Foundation; Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico advisor of the year for 2013
Paralegals & Legal Secretaries
Our paralegals have more than 30 years of experience in estate planning, probate, real estate and business law.
Marilyn A. Marsh, Paralegal
Susan A. McEntee, Paralegal
Donna R. Sowers, Paralegal (Farmington Office)
Michelle Martinez, Legal Secretary
Jessica Quezada, Legal Secretary