Susie Germany
Owner and Principal Attorney
Ms. Germany is the principal attorney and owner/manager of The Germany Law Firm, P.C., an elder law, estate planning, and probate boutique firm. She is licensed in Alaska, Wyoming and Colorado and has practiced in the areas of domestic law, elder law, probate, and estate planning.
An active member of the Colorado Bar Association (CBA), Ms. Germany is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), an American College of Trusts and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) fellow, and former co-chair of the CBA Elder Law Section. She is a frequent speaker and lecturer and past adjunct faculty to paralegal programs and has taught Colorado Legal Education courses in Colorado. She frequently teaches continuing legal education courses to attorneys and various groups at national conferences on topics including special needs planning, guardianship, elder fraud, and financial exploitation/abuse. Ms. Germany has also served as a Deputy Public Administrator. She and her team are passionate about helping you and your family prepare for the future.
Education
BA from Pacific Lutheran University
J.D. from University of Arkansas. Little Rock, also attended University of Denver Sturm College of Law
Licensed
Susie Germany is admitted to practice law in Colorado, Wyoming and Alaska
Patricia Rankin
Senior Associate
Patricia Rankin practices primarily in the areas of estate planning, elder law, estate administration, probate, guardianships, and conservatorships. Prior to focusing on elder law and probate, Ms. Rankin practiced in the areas of Equal Employment Opportunity Claims, family law, and insurance subrogation. Ms. Rankin spent several years working for the probate court of the 17th Judicial District Court and has seen a wide variety of simple and complex matters for elder law and probate.
Ms. Rankin’s interest in estate planning stems from courtroom observations of guardianships, conservatorships, and estate administration disputes. In many instances, the families experience long-lasting effects from their grief. She is focused to assist families in creating estate plans to prevent the family anguish which occurs when there is no plan in place to care for aging family members or for managing an estate when they become deceased. She has experienced firsthand from her own family the challenges which arise for a family in making care decisions when the elderly are diagnosed with debilitating diseases such as Parkinson’s and Dementia.
Ms. Rankin is an active member of the Colorado Bar Association, Elder Law Section, and Trust and Estates Section. Ms. Rankin is currently serving on the Elder Law Section Executive Council and the 17th Judicial District Senior Law Committee. Ms. Rankin has taught numerous classes on estate planning basics, conservatorships, and common law marriage.
Education
BA in Social Sciences from Colorado State University with a double minor in Political Science and History
J.D. from Creighton University School of Law
Licensed
Patricia Rankin is admitted to practice law in Colorado
Bryan Benbow
Of Counsel Attorney
Bryan is an of counsel attorney at The Germany Law Firm and has over 20 years’ experience as an attorney practicing in Colorado. His practice focuses in the areas of fiduciary representation, special needs planning, elder law, guardianships and conservatorships, trust and estate planning, probate, and trust administration. Bryan is a fourth-generation Colorado native. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Denver and his J.D. and LL.M. law degrees from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, MI. He is a member of the Denver Bar Association and the Elder Law and Estate Planning Sections of the Colorado Bar Association. He has volunteered at Senior Law Days, held in various counties throughout Colorado and has been a presenter to peers and the public on numerous topics related to Estate Planning and Medicaid. He is a current volunteer with Metro Volunteer Lawyers and with the Colorado Supreme Court Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel as Inventory Counsel.
Kate Martinez
Paralegal/Office Administrator
Kate Martinez is an Estate Planning Paralegal, Notary Public and Office Manager at The Germany Law Firm, where she plays a key role in supporting attorneys and clients through all stages of estate planning and office administration.
Kate specializes in drafting wills, powers of attorney, and other essential estate planning documents.
As Office Manager, Kate oversees the daily operations of the firm, managing scheduling, workflow, and administrative systems to keep the practice running smoothly.
With a strong commitment to client services, and confidentiality Kate is dedicated to making the estate planning process as stress-free as possible, offering support, and communication every step of the way.
Education
Arizona State University, Bachelor of Arts in Communication
Melanie Bailey
Probate Paralegal
Melanie Bailey is a Probate Paralegal at The Germany Law Firm, where she supports attorneys and clients through each stage of the probate and estate administration process.
Melanie assists with estate administration matters as well as guardianship and conservatorship proceedings, helping prepare and organize the legal documents required to move cases efficiently through the court system.
With more than fifteen years of legal experience, Melanie provides dependable support to attorneys by coordinating case materials, maintaining organized records, and ensuring that matters progress smoothly from initial filing through resolution.
Committed to professionalism, accuracy, and confidentiality, Melanie works to ensure that clients navigating probate and elder law matters feel informed and supported throughout the process.
Education
University of Central Arkansas
Bachelor of Science in Education, Early Childhood Education
Tara Sprawka
Legal Assistant
Tara Sprawka joins our team as a Legal Assistant, bringing more than 20 years of experience in customer service. Her extensive background in client relations has developed her strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills—qualities that make her an excellent addition to our firm.
Outside of the office, she enjoys spending time outdoors and seeking out new experiences that inspire her both personally and professionally.
Sawyer
Our Adorable Office Pet
Sawyer would love to say hi during our meetings!
