Common Questions About Working With Our Firm
Direct answers to what Southern Utah clients ask most about our firm, our process, and Utah law. Don't see your question below? Call (435) 635-7737 — we respond within one business hour during office hours.
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About the Firm
Background on Ruesch Reeve Werrett & Jones, PLLC — our history, our attorneys, and how we serve Southern Utah.
How long has Ruesch Reeve Werrett & Jones been in business?
Ruesch Reeve Werrett & Jones, PLLC was founded in 2009 by Ben Ruesch and Nathan C. Reeve and has been serving Southern Utah for over 16 years. The firm officially became Ruesch Reeve Werrett & Jones, PLLC in January 2025 when Anthony Werrett and Tony Jones joined as name partners. The firm is registered with the Utah Division of Corporations as a Professional Limited Liability Company.
Meet the Attorneys →How many attorneys does the firm have and who are they?
The firm has six attorneys:
- Ben Ruesch — Founding & Managing Partner, MDAF Life Member, Spanish & Portuguese, UT + AZ licensed
- Nathan C. Reeve — Founding Partner, Spanish-fluent, criminal & immigration
- Tony G. Jones — Senior Associate, 20+ years bankruptcy, Japanese
- Anthony P. Werrett — Name Partner, practicing since 2003, Spanish-fluent
- Travis Dunsmoor — Personal injury, MDAF Life Member, UT + NV licensed
- Debra Stillman — Cedar City-based attorney, broad practice
Ben Ruesch and Travis Dunsmoor are both Life Members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum — a distinction held by fewer than 1% of U.S. attorneys.
Where is the firm located? Does it serve Cedar City?
The firm's main office is at 86 N 3400 W, Building C, Suite 101, Hurricane, UT 84737. Attorney Debra Stillman is based in Cedar City and serves Iron County clients in business law, civil litigation, criminal defense, estate planning, municipal law, and real estate matters. Other attorneys travel to Cedar City and surrounding areas as needed.
We represent clients throughout Washington County, Iron County, and Kane County.
Contact Us →What languages do the attorneys speak?
The firm offers services in four languages: English, Spanish, Japanese, and Portuguese.
- Spanish — Ben Ruesch, Nathan C. Reeve, Anthony P. Werrett
- Portuguese — Ben Ruesch
- Japanese — Tony G. Jones
Bilingual services are provided at no additional cost to the client.
Consultations & Fees
How to get started, what consultations involve, and how legal fees work at our firm.
What does a consultation cost?
We offer a Confidential Case Review for prospective clients. During this initial conversation, an attorney evaluates your situation and discusses whether and how we can help.
Specific consultation policies vary by practice area and case type — call (435) 635-7737 or submit a contact form to discuss your specific matter. All consultations are confidential and protected by attorney-client privilege.
Request a Consultation →Are consultations confidential?
Yes. All consultations with our attorneys are confidential and protected by attorney-client privilege — from the moment you begin discussing your matter, whether by phone, in person, or through our contact form.
This protection applies even if you ultimately do not hire the firm. Confidentiality is fundamental to how attorneys can effectively evaluate your situation and discuss options.
Do you accept MetLife Legal Plans or ARAG legal insurance?
Yes. Ruesch Reeve Werrett & Jones is a participating provider for both MetLife Legal Plans and ARAG legal insurance.
Many employees receive legal insurance through their employer's benefits package. If you have coverage through either provider, certain legal services may be covered with little to no out-of-pocket cost.
Learn About MetLife/ARAG Coverage →How quickly will I hear back after I submit a contact form?
We typically respond to contact form submissions within one business hour during office hours (Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Mountain Time). After-hours submissions are addressed the next business morning.
For urgent personal injury matters, call (435) 635-7737 directly and leave a voicemail with details — we return urgent calls as quickly as possible.
The Legal Process
What to expect when working with our attorneys — from consultation through resolution.
What happens during a consultation?
A consultation is a focused conversation between you and one of our attorneys about your specific legal situation. The attorney will:
- Ask about the facts and listen carefully
- Identify the legal issues at play
- Explain how Utah law applies to your situation
- Discuss possible strategies
- Explain the likely process, timeline, and costs
You'll leave the consultation with a clearer understanding of your options. Bringing relevant documents (contracts, court papers, correspondence, medical records, photos) helps the attorney evaluate your matter more accurately.
Will my case have to go to trial?
Most cases resolve before trial — through negotiation, settlement, mediation, or pre-trial motions. However, our attorneys prepare every case as if it will go to trial.
This serves two purposes: it protects you if trial becomes necessary, and it improves your settlement leverage. The opposing side knows we're ready and willing to litigate, which often produces better settlement outcomes. The specific likelihood of trial depends on the practice area and circumstances of your case.
How long do legal matters typically take?
Timelines vary dramatically by practice area:
- Estate planning documents — usually 2-4 weeks
- Real estate closing — typically 30-45 days
- Uncontested divorce — can resolve in 30-90 days
- Chapter 7 bankruptcy — typically 4-6 months
- Personal injury case — a few months to several years depending on injury severity and liability disputes
- Complex business litigation — can take 1-3 years
During your consultation, your attorney can give you a realistic timeline estimate for your specific matter.
Utah Law Basics
Quick answers on key Utah law topics — with links to detailed practice area pages for full coverage.
What is the statute of limitations for personal injury in Utah?
Utah's general personal injury statute of limitations is four years from the date of injury under Utah Code § 78B-2-307.
Shorter deadlines apply to specific case types: two years for wrongful death, two years for medical malpractice, two years for product liability, and one-year notice of claim for cases against government entities.
Personal Injury Page →How does divorce work under Utah Code Title 81?
Effective September 1, 2024, Utah's family law statutes were renumbered into Utah Code Title 81. Divorce is now governed by Title 81 Chapter 4.
The substantive law is largely the same as the old Title 30, but every court filing now uses the new section numbers. Utah is an equitable distribution state (not community property) — meaning marital property is divided fairly but not necessarily equally.
Divorce Page →What is Utah's new 2026 DUI law?
Effective January 1, 2026, Utah enacted significant changes to its DUI law under the Interdicted Person Amendments (HB 437). The law expands enforcement, adds new categories, and increases penalties for extreme DUI situations.
Combined with Utah's existing 0.05% BAC limit — the lowest in the nation — Utah maintains some of the strictest DUI laws in the United States.
Criminal Defense Page →Does Utah have an estate tax?
No. Utah does not impose a state estate tax or inheritance tax. The federal estate tax exemption applies (currently in the millions of dollars), so most Utah estates do not owe federal estate tax either.
However, Utah's probate process still requires court supervision for many estates. Utah's small estate affidavit procedure under Utah Code § 75-3-1201 allows estates valued under $100,000 to skip probate entirely under certain conditions.
Estate Planning Page →What is the Virgin River Adjudication?
The Virgin River General Adjudication is an active court-supervised proceeding under Utah Code Title 73, Chapter 4 to determine and quantify every water right in the Virgin River drainage area — covering Washington County, Iron County, and Kane County.
Water rights owners who fail to file claims or respond to Proposed Determinations risk having their rights permanently reduced or disallowed. The Utah Division of Water Rights is actively processing claims through 2026.
Water Law Page →Local & Logistical
Where we practice, who we serve, and other logistical questions about working with us.
Which Utah courts do your attorneys appear in?
Our attorneys regularly appear in:
- Utah's Fifth District Court — covering Washington, Iron, Beaver, Kane, and Garfield counties
- Justice Courts throughout Southern Utah
- U.S. District Court for the District of Utah (federal)
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Utah
Ben Ruesch is admitted to practice before the Utah Supreme Court, Arizona Supreme Court, and federal district courts in both Utah and Arizona. Travis Dunsmoor is licensed in both Utah and Nevada.
Do you serve clients in Washington, Iron, and Kane counties?
Yes. We serve clients throughout:
- Washington County — St. George, Hurricane, Washington City, Ivins, Santa Clara, La Verkin, Toquerville, Springdale
- Iron County — Cedar City, Enoch, Parowan, Paragonah, Brian Head
- Kane County — Kanab, Orderville, Big Water, Glendale
Our main office is in Hurricane and Debra Stillman is based in Cedar City. We also handle some cases statewide depending on the matter.
Do you offer legal services in Spanish?
Yes. Three of our attorneys are fluent in Spanish: Ben Ruesch, Nathan C. Reeve, and Anthony P. Werrett.
We serve Spanish-speaking clients in criminal defense, immigration, family law, personal injury, and business matters at no additional cost. Nathan Reeve regularly handles cases for Spanish-speaking clients across criminal and immigration matters.
Contáctenos →Request a Confidential Consultation
Some questions need a direct conversation. Tell us briefly about your matter — we respond within one business hour during office hours. All inquiries are protected by attorney-client privilege.
🔒 Your information is confidential and protected by attorney-client privilege.