Contact Us
free consultation
(303) 713-9147
November 10, 2026 Posted In Colorado will and trust differences
If you don’t come home, who will get your benefits and who will raise your children? Service members don’t like to ask, but this is important. The military estate planning needs in Colorado Springs are different than a civilian’s. Federal benefits are governed by their own laws, and a will does not govern them. The repeated movements and deployments increase the risk. A solid plan helps to ensure your spouse, your children, and your peace of mind. Here at Colorado Estate Matters, we assist military families in the area of Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, and the Air Force Academy. Plan with confidence! To schedule a free consultation, please call (303) 713-9147.
Things in the military move quickly. You can set up quickly, relocate every few years, or have assets in multiple states. Your family could rely on benefits and pay you never see from the federal government. These details are not captured in a generic plan.
These are some of the issues that military families may experience:
You may also have a different legal jurisdiction than you are stationed in. A good Estate Planning Lawyer in Colorado verifies to you what state’s law is applicable.
Beneficiary forms are just one aspect of the package. There also must be legal documents that are interdependent. These are the various tools that Colorado Springs Families Trust uses with SMART Military Estate Planning. It’s important to have them drafted to fit your family and your assets. The documents should correspond to your beneficiary papers. If you use your SGLI points elsewhere, it can cause the trust to fail. All are checked for non-interference.
There are lots of young families whose lives are impacted by members of the military. That escalates the score. You can designate a guardian for your young children through your will. It is the courts that determine what is in the child’s best interests. Clear nomination provides a judge with guidance. If no plan is established, a court can establish a conservatorship to oversee one. This increases costs, paperwork, and supervision in the courts. There is a better way with a trust. You make a choice of who will hold the trust and establish the guidelines for spending. Your children do not have to be 18 to receive the money; they can be any age you choose. A trust can also be established to benefit a child with special needs without affecting benefits.
Military Legal Assistance Offices provide free legal aid, including basic wills. This is a great resource, and we hope you take advantage of it. There are still many families that need more. A private attorney may be called for trusts, blended families, rental property, and business interests. An independent company will also have more time to devote to your situation. We explain your options in layman’s terms. Some families utilize both services. They begin with the low-level help and then request that we check the overall plan.
So, what Colorado Springs Estate Lawyer, Estate Planning Lawyer Colorado families recommend? Our staff treats you like a family member. No stuffy or legal jargon. Our employees are professional, knowledgeable, and approachable for our clients. Video Meetings are on schedule. The documents can be signed within the community.
A strong military estate planning Colorado Springs family can rely on will safeguard your benefits, your spouse, and your children. It ties together your will, your trust, and your federal beneficiary forms. Update prior to each deployment, and whenever there is a significant change. A short meeting today provides your family with definite answers when they need them. This is provided for general information only and not as a legal opinion.
Are the funds allocable to SGLI subject to the laws of my will?
The beneficiary named on your beneficiary form receives the funds from No. SGLI. It cannot be changed by your will.
What is a DD Form 93 and why is it important?
The Record of Emergency Data is the DD Form 93. It designates who is to benefit from your death gratuity. Keep it up to date following life changes.
Can active duty members also have a will?
Yes. A will designates your personal representative, your heirs, and your guardian. It also includes assets other than federal benefit forms.
Do you need a power of attorney before going to deployment?
Most of the time, most service members do. It enables you to assign someone else to manage your finances on your behalf while you are gone. Your family may experience delays if they don’t have one.
If I utilized some base legal help, can I use another attorney?
Yes. A large number of families use both. You can get a private attorney to look at your plan, and you can include a trust or other mechanism.
Talk to Our Colorado Estate Planning Team Today
Your family needs a plan for military life. Colorado Estate Matters will provide a complimentary consultation and no pressure to hire us. Call (303) 713-9147 to schedule a video meeting, or visit our office at 12600 W Colfax Ave., Suite C-480, Lakewood, CO 80215. Make an appointment for a free consultation today.
Contant Us Form