The ownership and transfer of both real and personal property involve compliance with state and sometimes federal requirements relating to the form of the deed, bill of sale or assignment (depending on the legal nature of the property being conveyed). Many transactions are relatively straightforward but many are quite complex such as those involving the tax free exchange of property under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code. Some require recording in county or state offices and some do not. The need for legal advice is not limited to buying and selling property. Just owning and operating property whether for commercial, residential or agricultural purposes is subject to restrictions such as zoning, restrictive covenants, permits, licenses and other land use and operational limitations. Issues as to water use and availability are critical to many of our clients and the acquisition and retention of both vested and appropriated water rights is tightly regulated and requires close attention to insure valuable water rights are not lost or endangered.