Estate Planning Blog by Colorado Estate Matters: Wills, Trusts & More

What Happens If I Die without a Will?

June 5, 2015 Posted In Estate Planning,Wills

Having a will in place can protect you and your family in the event of a catastrophic injury, incapacitation or even death. However, if you end up passing away without having a legal will in place: Your estate will be passed on to your relatives via Colorado intestate laws. The nature of your estate, as…

Five Tips for Agents of Financial Powers of Attorney

May 25, 2015 Posted In Powers of Attorney

Agents or “attorneys in fact” are people who have been designated by another individual (i.e., the principal) via a financial power of attorney to manage the principal’s finances. While stepping into the role of agent for someone else is completely voluntary, when people do agree to take on this role, they accept certain legal responsibilities.…

Where Should I Keep My Will?

May 15, 2015 Posted In Wills

After creating a will, one of the next important decisions you will make is where to store that will. The reason this is so important is that, if your personal representative or beneficiaries cannot locate the original copy of your will in the future, it can create significant (and unnecessary) challenges for them, costing them…

Essential Estate Planning Documents for Special Needs ChildrenHow to Create an Inventory of Assets for Colorado Probate: Eight Steps (Pt. 2)

April 15, 2015 Posted In Asset Protection,Creditors and Probate,Probate, Estate, & Trust Administration

Resuming How to Create an Inventory of Assets for Colorado Probate: Eight Steps (Pt. 1), we will point out the next steps to take as you continue compiling a comprehensive inventory of a decedent’s estate. The Next Steps to Take in Creating an Inventory of Assets for Colorado Probate 3 – Detail all personal property…

Five Main Types of Advance Medical Directives: An Overview (Pt. 3)

April 5, 2015 Posted In Estate Planning,Medical Directives,Powers of Attorney

Here’s the conclusion to our blog series Five Main Types of Advance Medical Directives: An Overview. Final Type of Advance Medical Directive – Organ and Tissues Donation Declarations When you are ready to develop advance medical directives or any estate planning documents, please call us and schedule a free estate planning consultation. We are skilled…

Five Main Types of Advance Medical Directives: An Overview (Pt. 1)

March 25, 2015 Posted In Estate Planning,Medical Directives,Powers of Attorney,Wills

While every adult in the U.S. is entitled to refuse or consent to medical care, knowing what a specific adult individual would prefer for health care can be difficult in the event that adult becomes incapacitated. Do you know what advance medical directives are and how they can be important? If you are unsure or…

Colorado Wills: Seven Facts You Should Know (Pt. 2)

March 15, 2015 Posted In Wills

Resuming Colorado Wills: Seven Facts You Should Know (Pt. 1), here we will continue highlighting some essential information to know about wills in Colorado. More Important Info about Colorado Wills Fact 3 – Colorado wills can and sometimes should be revised. Do you know when Colorado wills should be revised? Or how divorce can impact…

Powers of Attorney FAQs (Pt. 3)

March 5, 2015 Posted In Powers of Attorney

Wrapping up our blog series Powers of Attorney FAQs, below are some more answers about this essential aspect of estate planning. Additional Answers about Powers of Attorney Q: Can I change powers of attorney in the future? When you are ready to take action and put some powers of attorney in place, contact a trusted…

Powers of Attorney FAQs (Pt. 1)

February 25, 2015 Posted In Powers of Attorney

Powers of attorney can be effective and necessary estate planning tools, as they protect people in the event of incapacitation in the future. Given that there are different types of powers of attorney, and that the best options for someone will depend on his situation, in this three-part blog series, we will respond to some…

What to Do after Someone Dies: 10 Steps to Take after a Death (Pt. 2)

February 15, 2015 Posted In Firm News,Probate, Estate, & Trust Administration,Trust Administration,Wills

Picking up from What to Do after Someone Dies: 10 Steps to Take after a Death (Pt. 1), we will identify the next steps people should take after the most immediate things, such as funeral arrangements, have been completed. What to Do after Someone Dies: The Next Steps to Take Are In the weeks following…

Estate Planning for Your Special Needs Child: Here’s What You Should Know (Pt. 3)

February 5, 2015 Posted In Asset Protection,Estate Planning,Powers of Attorney,Trusts,Wills

Concluding our blog series Estate Planning for Your Special Needs Child: Here’s What You Should Know, below we will take a closer look at what estate planning documents you may want to put in place now if you do not already have them. Estate Planning for Your Special Needs Child: What You May Need in…

Estate Planning for Your Special Needs Child: Here’s What You Should Know (Pt. 1)

January 25, 2015 Posted In Estate Planning,Trusts,Wills

While estate planning for you and your family is always important, it can be especially critical if you have children and/or if you have a child with special needs. Depending on your child’s needs, as well as your wishes for the future, there can be a few different estate planning options to protect a child…