Category Archives: Estate Planning

When you are facing a legal challenge that impacts your family, you are also likely to feel stressed and anxious. You may feel the need to hire a family lawyer quickly, but there are a few things you should take the time to consider before jumping into a legal relationship. Cost Cost is an important...

Introduction Advance Directives are estate planning documents that allow someone to make decisions regarding healthcare.  Advance Directives include primarily Advance Directives for Medical/Surgical Treatment and the Medical Durable Power of Attorney as well as less commonly used documents called a Do Not Resuscitate Order, and a Directive Relating to Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.  The Medical Durable Power...

If the business owner doesn’t want her spouse to have control over inherited assets, or if she simply wants to ensure that the spouse can’t leave the inherited assets to a new spouse should he remarry after the business owner’s death, the business owner can establish a marital trust to receive the spouse’s share of...

Introduction How your property is distributed upon your death depends on what you do.  You can choose to do nothing. This will allow the state to make the decision for you.  Options include the following: Drafting a will Using beneficiary or transfer-on-death (also referred to as beneficiary deeds) designations to transfer certain assets Joint tenancies...

Are you planning your estate?  Wondering what a trust is and if you need one?  A trust is an agreement that allows for property to be distributed in various ways.  In essence, a trust is a vehicle to hold property and control its distribution.  The settlor is the person putting property into the trust.  The...

Introduction Power of attorney documents allow you to appoint someone (an agent) to make decisions concerning your property and finances or your healthcare.  The standard and default power-of-attorney is the durable power of attorney.  Durable powers of attorney allow your agent to make decisions even if you become incapacitated. Powers of attorney should be part...

Are you thinking about starting a new business? Have you already started it? Many business owners start businesses without ever thinking about the end. When they get to the end, they are left unsure of what to do and sometimes without great options. Planning an exit strategy ahead of time will save many business owners...

Colorado permits the use of beneficiary deeds to avoid probate in the transfer of real property. (Beneficiary deeds are also known as transfer-on-death deeds.)  A beneficiary deed does not take control of the property away from the grantor.  The grantor can change the beneficiary of the deed or revoke the beneficiary deed at any time...