Darby Kolter & Roberts, LLP

A culture of service to clients and community


Discover

Preparation and Results


Darby Kolter & Roberts, LLP offers premier legal services and personalized attention to each client. Our team has the skill and experience to handle even the most complex legal matters to achieve the results our clients need.

ABOUT US

Practice Areas


Family

Law

Whether you are considering divorce, have questions about the division of marital assets, or are months into a custody battle, the skilled legal team at Darby Kolter & Roberts, LLP can help. 

Workers'

Compensation

Dealing with the legal system after a work injury doesn’t have to be a nightmare. We have the experience and track record to help. Ask your neighbors about us.


Real

Estate

Vermont is one of the 21 states in which a real estate lawyer is required as part of the closing process. Hiring an attorney to represent you in any real estate transaction is also a very good idea.

Personal Injury

If you’ve been injured due to another's negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for any damages suffered.

Estate Planning

Without proper planning, important decisions about your health and finances could be left to chance.



Business & Corporate

Our business and corporate law attorneys help from the transfer and wind-up all types of businesses



Our Blogs

19 Oct, 2023
If a work injury happens to you, Workers’ Compensation benefits are usually available to help. Two tips to protect your right to benefits: 1. Report Your Injury. Whenever you are hurt at work, report it to your employer as soon as possible. Even if you believe it’s not going to be a serious or lasting injury, report it! You may lose your right to Workers’ Compensation if you fail to report your injury within 6 months. This rule has many exceptions, but, to avoid problems, always report your injury in writing, and keep a copy for your records. 2. Know the 5 Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits Available in Vermont. There are five different kinds of Workers’ Compensation benefits available here in Vermont: 1. Medical Benefits. Workers’ Compensation insurance pays for all “reasonable and necessary” medical treatment required for your work injury. You are also entitled to $.655 per mile (2023) for travel to and from treatment. Your right to receive medical benefits generally lasts for your whole life. 2. Wage Replacement Benefits. If you are medically disabled from work because of a work injury, weekly cash “wage replacement benefits” are usually available. You must obtain an “Out of Work” note from your doctor to qualify. 3. Permanent Partial Disability and Permanent Total Disability Benefits. “Permanent Partial Disability” is a cash benefit to compensate you for any permanent physical or mental impairment, or harmful change to your body caused by your work injury. When your medical treatment is ending, and no further significant improvements in your condition are expected by your Doctor, ask yourself and your Doctor: “Did this injury cause any permanent impairment?” Impairment must be measured under the Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, a book doctors use to measure impairment. “Permanent Total Disability” is available for catastrophic injuries which prevent you from performing gainful employment. Since many doctors don’t know much about Workers’ Compensation law, you might consider discussing permanent impairment or permanent total disability benefits with a lawyer. 4. Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits. If your injury prevents you from returning to your job, you may be entitled to vocational rehabilitation benefits to help you find a job, or be trained for a new job that pays as close as possible to the wage you were earning before your injury. 5. Death Benefits. Spouses and dependent children of workers who are killed as a result of a work injury are entitled to death benefits. Remember, no matter how minor the incident or injury, reporting it in writing to your employer is the first and most important step. Consult with an experienced attorney to steer you in the right direction and help you determine a clear path forward with your Workers’ Compensation claim. Darby, Kolter & Roberts, LLP has decades of experience in Workers’ Compensation and offers a free consultation to discuss your potential case.
13 Jun, 2022
It’s a common misconception that estate planning is only for the wealthy. Nothing could be further from the truth. Even if you have minimal assets and a modest income, an estate plan can protect your loved ones from potentially negative consequences upon your passing. In some cases, the consequences of poor (or non-existent) estate planning can be downright devastating, unnecessarily costing loved ones their valuable time and m money. D esignating heirs for your assets, whether for a small savings account, a lake house and a stock portfolio, is key to seamless planning. Planning for your homestead property is the most important, and Vermont law affords mechanisms for exceptional planning to protect your family's interest in your homestead from probate and Medicaid's consideration for long term care. To not use what the law provides for your benefit, is a missed opportunity none of us can afford to miss. Without an estate plan in place, probate will be unavoidable and the court may determine who gets those assets, a costly process that can drag on for years. Furthermore, while nobody wants to think of dying when they have minor children, it happens from time to time. If you have young kids, it’s important to prepare for the unthinkable. This ensures that they are raised and cared for as you wish. Without a named guardian, the courts may decide who raises your kids. Estate planning has become even more important in recent years, as future earnings, investments, medical care, and inflation become increasingly difficult to predict. Consulting with an experienced estate planning attorney can help you determine your options, save money, plan for the inevitable, and preserve your assets for future generations. How an Estate Planning Lawyer Can Help Planning for your death might not be on your top 10 list of fun things to do, but having these plans in place can bring you immense peace of mind. A good estate planning lawyer can help you: Draft a will and appoint executors; Appoint guardians of minor children; Appoint trustees to handle bequests to minors until they reach adulthood; Create advance medical directives for financial and healthcare-related decisions, in the event you become incapacitated; Avoid federal inheritance taxes and allow more money to pass to your beneficiaries; Assemble a list of your assets, including real estate, bank accounts, life insurance, and investment accounts; and Avoid probate. Meeting with an estate planning attorney can protect your assets,, your personal health and financial matters if you become incapacitated, your minor children, and your family from spiraling into a financial feud upon your passing. What Not to Do Do not feel intimidated or overwhelmed by the process — you don’t need to assemble all required information before meeting with your attorney. Putting that kind of pressure on yourself will only delay the start. Your attorney will tell you what additional information you need. Do not expect to complete the process in only one meeting with your attorney. Effective estate planning takes time. Do not expect that your own research is equivalent to the advice and guidance an estate planning lawyer can provide. A good attorney will know Vermont’s constantly-evolving estate planning laws and adapt your planning documents to your goals. The above benefits of creating an estate plan only begin to scratch the surface. You can also dispose of a business or business assets with an estate plan, leave a business to your partner, or direct that it be sold or liquidated with proceeds going to designated beneficiaries. In addition, you can create trusts to reduce income taxes, shelter assets from estate taxes, provide for loved ones with special needs, and reduce personal liability while still alive. Contact Darby Kolter & Roberts, LLP Today If you have estate planning questions, the skilled legal team at Darby Kolter & Roberts, LLP can help. We have been helping Vermonters preserve and protect their family's future for decades, and we can do the same for you. Contact us today for a confidential consultation about your estate planning goals and needs: 802-244-7352 or [email protected]
Show More

Contact Us

Share by: