Glossary of Legal Terms & Definitions

- Felony A felony is a serious criminal offense punishable by imprisonment for more than one year or by death.
- Fiduciary A person or company that has contractually agreed, or a court has appointed, to manage the money or property of another. For example, a trustee or an executor of an estate.
- Fiduciary Duty A legal obligation that requires a party to act in the best interest of another party. For example, a trustee has a fiduciary duty to the beneficiaries of a trust.
- Filing Fee The predetermined fee courts require for filing various documents with the court.
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What People Say
Client Testimonials

“Nothing but good things to say about my experience.”
I have nothing but good things to say about my experience working with David Maletta. I was in a very high-stress situation facing a pending DUI charge. He doesn’t know this, but I actually interviewed 5 potential lawyers, and he was the most optimistic of all of them. He took over and handled everything, and now I don’t have to live with a DUI. Thank you so much for everything! Highly recommend them to anyone looking for legal help.
Lauren Koontz - Google Review

“I Highly recommend him for those who need a great attorney “
Darin has been my attorney on a few different matters, over the past five years. He has become like family, as we have communicated he has been known to phone me on his way home, or on the weekend if something comes up. I have always valued Darin for his attention to detail, kindness, and passion for doing “what is right”. I would call Darin time and time again should I need his services. Thank you, Darin, for all you do – I appreciate you!
Karen - Avvo Review

“He is awesome and I do not regret choosing him”
I was very worried after I got pulled over and charged with DUI for impairment by drugs, but, David Maletta had my case completely dismissed. Tempe (and AZ) in general are very harsh with DUI cases but I sat back while Mr. Maletta reviewed the case. I did not think it was winnable due to the circumstances but I got a phone call that the case was thrown out. I would highly recommend David Maletta to anyone seeking a DUI lawyer, he carefully examined all evidence including bodycams and interviewing the arresting officer. Needless to say, he is awesome and I do not regret choosing him.
Brandon - Avvo Review

“She is the best and I could not have gotten through without her”
I cannot recommend Lauren Bostick and her team enough!!! She is a consummate professional and will work harder than anyone to ensure you achieve your goals through the process. It is truly rare to find a lawyer who is not only highly skilled in the field of law in every sense of the word, but also one who cares about the whole person. She is the best and I could not have gotten through without her.
Anna Mudroch- Google Review

“He is the best he got all the charges dropped”
I was assaulted by two drunk bigots who threw anti semitic slurs at me outside of my favorite restaurant. Im 5’8 158 pounds the main guy “William” who assaulted me is 6’2 205 pounds and tattooed up but falsely claimed I hit him so hard his face was swollen up to the point where he couldn’t work for a month and was seeking $7348 in damages. A false police report was filed against me and William’s best friend Taylor who also assaulted me corroborated the bs story to the best of his ability. For a while I lost my faith in humanity because I was being charged with assault for self defense by the state of Arizona. Rather than pay off William with a misdemeanor compromise I did something he didn’t expect and hired David. In court David proved to the judge that William and Taylor were lying through cross examination he found four cases where they contradicted each other or changed their stories. David also brought up police body camera footage of a civilian explaining what happened which was a completely different story than what William and Taylor had told police, the look on the prosecutors face was priceless. If found guilty I would have a criminal record for the rest of my life and probably lose my real estate license so it meant the world to me that David got all the charges dropped.
Michael - Avvo Review

“They are extremely capable and have great instincts”
Two of the partners of this firm supported me in some very contentious divorce issues. Darin and Tim are extremely capable and have great instincts on how to navigate sticky circumstances in a professional manner in front of Judges and court administrators. I found them to be understanding, time efficient, and sufficiently assertive to win my cases. For any Family Law or Criminal Defense situations, I would endorse and highly recommend this firm.
Vern Braaksma- Google Review

“She was a ray of light for me and my children when all hope appeared infeasible”
I appreciate Attorney Lauren Bostick because of all she did for my family, and words cannot describe the joy I feel making a decision to have her as my attorney. She was a ray of light for me and my children when all hope appeared infeasible. She was available to walk me through and was very kind to help with my questions. Thanks a lot from the deepest part of my heart for all you have done for me and my family and may God bless you. My children and I are eternally grateful and strongly recommend Attorney Lauren Bostick.
Nuli G - Google Review

“He treated us as individuals with unique circumstances and emotions”
I had an incredibly positive experience with Colburn Hintze Maletta’s firm, especially thanks to attorney Henry Álzate. He played a crucial role in guiding my mother’s case, especially regarding financial support after her unexpected divorce. Henry demonstrated a profound commitment, ensuring to pursue of the best possible outcome with dedication and empathy. One of Henry’s standout qualities is his genuine care for individuals. Despite my mother’s language barrier, Henry facilitated communication, ensuring she comprehended every step of the legal process. This made a significant difference in our comfort and understanding throughout the case. His ability to convey complex legal matters in a clear and compassionate manner is truly admirable. Throughout our interactions, Henry’s charisma and warmth made us feel valued beyond just being clients; he treated us as individuals with unique circumstances and emotions. His support and determination to achieve favorable results for my mother were evident from start to finish. I highly recommend Henry Álzate and the Colburn Hintze Maletta firm for anyone seeking legal assistance, especially in family law matters. Henry’s professionalism, empathy, and dedication are exemplary, ensuring that clients receive not only exceptional legal representation but also genuine support during challenging times.
Yajaira Magana - Google Review

“He exceeded all of my expectations”
I cannot recommend Mr.Castillo enough. As a survivor of domestic violence, I needed an attorney who was not only knowledgeable and experienced but also compassionate and understanding. Mr. Castillo exceeded all of my expectations. He listened to my story with empathy and kindness and guided me through the legal process with clarity and expertise. He was always available to answer my questions, address my concerns, and offer support when I needed it most.Thanks to Mr.Castillo, I received the justice and protection I deserved. If you’re going through a similar situation, please don’t hesitate to reach out to them.
Danna Mendoza - Google Review

“She handled our case masterfully”
We had a great experience with Juanita. She handled our case masterfully, the process was smooth. Highly recommend.
Charne Gibson - Google Review

“They are truly the best in the business!”
Colburn Hintze Maletta is an absolute game-changer! Their expertise in both family and criminal law is unparalleled. From the moment I stepped into their office, I felt heard, understood, and confident in their abilities. Their team is incredibly knowledgeable, compassionate, and dedicated to achieving the best possible outcome. They went above and beyond to guide me through a complex legal process, providing clear explanations and unwavering support. I wholeheartedly recommend Colburn Hintze Maletta to anyone facing legal challenges. They are truly the best in the business!
Alex Morales - Google Review

“They provide outstanding legal services”
Colburn Hintze Maletta PLLC provided outstanding legal services. Their expertise and dedication were evident from our first consultation through to the successful resolution of my case. They were attentive to my needs, responsive to inquiries, and navigated complex legal issues with confidence. I highly recommend them for anyone seeking reliable and knowledgeable legal representation.
Izac - Google Review

“They were incredible”
I cannot say enough good things about this place. I had them take care of a few different things for me and they were incredible. Everything was submitted quickly and it was so easy on my part. Jessica kept me updated every step of the way and was very thorough. David was great, he walked me through the process and gave me an estimate of how long the whole process would take. The best lawyer I’ve ever had. I will use them for anything I need in the future.
Luz Jimenez - Google Review

“His patience and professionalism are above reproach”
Don Colburn’s years of experience was a tremendous asset to my case. It truly showed that my process was lengthy and exhausting. His patience and professionalism are above reproach. Without Jen Bone, I truly feel my case would have gone in a very different direction. The time and energy she put into my case is something I am very thankful for. This law team understood my main focus was my children and they adhered to that focus for the entirety of my case. Thank you Jen and thank you Don!
Shayne Tuchfarber - Google Review

“She exceeded my expectations”
Lauren Bostick is exceptional! She took the stress and worry out of the divorce process and completely put me at ease. She exceeded my expectations and fought to protect my kids and me. I would highly recommend her and cannot thank her enough for the impact she has had on our lives.
Carmen Waggoner - Google Review

“Their service exceeded all expectations”
I recently had the pleasure of working with CHM, and I must say, their service exceeded all expectations. From their expert legal knowledge to their proactive communication and genuine empathy, every interaction with CHM was professional and supportive. They navigated my case with precision and kept me informed every step of the way, making a potentially stressful experience remarkably smooth. I highly recommend them for anyone seeking dedicated and effective legal representation.
Yadirha- Google Review

“I couldn’t be more impressed with the professionalism and expertise”
I couldn’t be more impressed with the professionalism and expertise. From the initial consultation to the resolution of my case, they demonstrated a deep understanding of the law and a commitment to achieving the best outcome for me. Their communication was clear and timely, and I always felt well-informed and supported throughout the process. I highly recommend for anyone seeking reliable and effective legal representation.
Ashley Showell - Google Review

“I was convinced they were the best firm for the job”
After learning my spouse was filing for divorce, I found CHM Law on both Google and Yelp. After my initial consultation, I was convinced they were the best firm for the job. My team of lawyer Judie and paralegal Whitney were incredible, to say the least. They ensured an incredibly smooth process during a very difficult period and obtained a settlement above and beyond my wildest expectations. If I ever get remarried and divorced again, they will be my first call.
Richard Moser - Google Review

“Very Impressive”
Dave was very impressive he helped me a lot with his knowledge and helped me with the process.
Ana Dalay Vega - Google Review

“The entire process was very efficient and smooth and it put me at ease”
I worked with Juanita to prepare a will and other legal documents for me. The entire process was very efficient and smooth and it put me at ease, and also they were very helpful in answering all of the questions I had. I highly recommend Juanita for your legal needs.