In complicated situations involving a religious property dispute, you may wish to avoid the risk of losing your property and ministry by relying on an illusory promise of help “someday” for some entity. The same is true for those seeking to use “free” legal services by an attorney who has no understanding of the legal issues, or simply going it alone. An experienced and knowledgeable attorney can help get you achieve your goal of property ownership and a flourishing ministry.
Consider the following:
- The Law is Complicated. An experienced lawyer probably has seen cases like yours or at least knows enough to make a calculated guess about how it might get resolved at trial. A solid case can quickly unravel without the help of an experienced attorney. Most non-attorneys don’t personally know the types of professionals who can help with discovery or challenge evidence or testimony by the opposing party. An attorney can also help negotiate a fair settlement with the opposing party
- The Annual Conference has, and relies on, its attorney. Non-attorneys are generally at a disadvantage when facing the attorney for the Annual Conference (called the “Chancellor”). As explained above, the law is complicated and an attorney representing the Annual Conference will take advantage of this inequity
- Peace of mind. Legal cases are expensive, worrisome, and unpredictable. Your ministry, your property, your members and your future is at stake. Hiring an experienced religious property attorney is one way of dealing with the worry. You should be able to rest easy knowing that your case in in the hands of the right person.
At Dalton & Tomich, we focus on religious property law disputes. Representing local church congregations in their goal to leave a denomination, retain their property and help move their ministry forward is what we do everyday across the United States. In 2021 alone, we helped fifty-four local churches out of the United Methodist Church denomination. Remarkably, every local church has grown since leaving the denomination. Below is a list of a few of the Churches we have worked with:
- Asbury Church, Tulsa Oklahoma, The Oklahoma Annual Conference
- Christ Church, Fairview Heights, Illinois, Great Rivers Illinois Conference,
- Douglas Church, Ruston, Louisiana, Louisiana Conference,
- Elevation Church, St. Louis, Missouri, Missouri Annual Conference
- Glide Memorial, San Francisco, California, California Nevada Annual Conference
- Heritage Church, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Mississippi Annual Conference
- Northside Church, Jackson, Tennessee, Memphis/Tennessee Conference
- Quest Church, Augusta, Georgia, North Georgia Annual Conference
- Seeds of Faith, Lester, Iowa, Iowa Annual Conference
- Village Chapel Church, Ashville, Ohio, West Ohio Annual Conference
- Woodlawn Church – Panama City Beach, Florida, The Alabama West Florida Annual Conference
- Zanesville Church (Tower Life Center), Fort Wayne, Indiana, Indiana Annual Conference,
We would love to work with you and your church. Please feel reach out to Dan Dalton to discuss your church and how we can help you leave a denomination, protect your property, and preserve your ministry for decades to come.
