Top Estate Planning Tips & Resources from Colorado Estate Matters

Afraid of Death? Focus on The Paperwork When Planning Estates

February 27, 2013 Posted In Estate Planning

There are many reasons why Coloradoans fail to adequately plan for the end of their lives, chief among them being the topic of death. If you’re skittish when it comes to talking about what will happen when you die, chances are good that you don’t have an estate plan in place. Or perhaps you have…

Heirs to $1 billion Must Wait for Inheritance Until Age 21

February 14, 2013 Posted In Estate Planning,Firm News,Probate, Estate, & Trust Administration,Trust Administration

Doris Duke was a wealthy philanthropist who died leaving a fortune worth around $1 billion. Her heirs are teenage twins, a 15-year-old boy and girl, each of which stands to inherit $500 million. The money was left in a trust, however, and the trustees are evidently so hesitant to administer funds from the account that…

Don’t Forget About Digital Assets in Your Estate Plan

January 30, 2013 Posted In Asset Protection,Estate Planning,Trusts,Wills

Colorado residents who make the wise decision to map out an estate plan are likely to find themselves juggling both paperwork and digital files. It is likely that the older people are, the more paper records of accounts they’ll have. Younger estate planners, meanwhile, may be wondering how to organize their computer files so that…

Estate of Fatally Poisoned Lottery Winner Tied Up in Probate

January 15, 2013 Posted In Creditors and Probate,Estate Planning,Firm News,Probate, Estate, & Trust Administration

It reads like the script of a crime drama or even a soap opera: A man wins a fortune in the lottery, only to be poisoned shortly thereafter. Soon the victim’s family members begin pointing fingers, accusing each other of ulterior motives while the coroner tries to have the victim’s body exhumed. If he can…

How to Choose An Estate Planner or At Least One Way To.

December 21, 2012 Posted In Estate Planning

The world is not coming to an end today so it is time to make some plans for 2013. Top of my list, getting my Estate Planning done. Well not really but this is the year I am going to get around to it. Every day you see reasons to do Estate Planning. Drunk driver…

How Should Heirs’ Potential Divorce Figure Into Estate Planning?

December 12, 2012 Posted In Asset Protection,Estate Planning,Firm News,Trusts

There are many reasons Colorado residents continually put off making plans for their estate. Some, of course, have a hard time believing they will need those plans in place anytime soon. But even those who realize the importance of estate planning may feel bogged down by the number of details involved. That can be enough…

Colorado Family’s Estate Litigation Offers Lessons For Others

December 5, 2012 Posted In Asset Protection,Breach of Fiduciary Duty,Estate Planning,Firm News,Probate, Estate, & Trust Administration,Trust & Will Contests

If you are from a close-knit family, you may not be able to imagine what it is like to be embroiled in a feud that pits you and your siblings against each other. But when it comes to handling the family estate, personal and financial issues can tear apart families with astonishing force. In Aurora,…

Same-Sex Couples in Colorado Have Special Estate Considerations

November 14, 2012 Posted In Creditors and Probate,Estate Planning,Firm News,Probate, Estate, & Trust Administration,Trust Administration,Wills

A recent poll of randomly selected households across Colorado found that the majority of the state’s residents support some form of legal recognition of same-sex relationships, either through marriage or civil unions. Residents over 65 were less likely than younger Coloradans to support gay marriage, but almost half support civil unions. Voters under 34 were…

Assumptions Should Not Stop You From Planning Your Estate

October 31, 2012 Posted In Asset Protection,Creditors and Probate,Estate Planning,Firm News,Probate, Estate, & Trust Administration,Trust Administration

There are plenty of reasons why people fail to plan what will become of their assets and possessions after death. Some are uncomfortable thinking about the end of their lives. Others assume that their lack of descendants or valuables means that there will be nothing to sort out after they die. Still others are so…

Do Not Be Caught Off-Guard by Estate Planning Myths

October 17, 2012 Posted In Estate Planning,Firm News

It is Estate Planning Awareness Week, a perfect occasion to clear up some widespread misconceptions about the importance of making plans for the future. Just about every Colorado resident can benefit from estate planning, from millionaires to children of low-income parents. The only difference is in the individual choices you make about your assets, health…

Relative, Conservator Battle Over Colorado Man’s Estate

October 3, 2012 Posted In Estate Planning,Firm News,Guardianships & Conservatorships,Powers of Attorney

We often discuss the importance of estate planning. While most people do not like to think about their own death, none of us is immortal. But estate planning is not just about what happens after you die. If you become incapacitated in some way and care not able to make decisions for yourself, you may…

Dennis Hopper’s Daughter Inherits $3 Million

September 21, 2012 Posted In Estate Planning,Firm News,Trust Disputes,Trusts

After a couple has finalized a divorce is always a very good time to review one’s estate plan. Changing beneficiaries and ensuring that any children are properly provided for will make certain that one’s wishes are carried out upon one’s passing. Sometimes this is not always possible, especially if one of the divorcing parties dies…