Colorado Estate Matters Blog: Probate, Estate & Trust Administration

How Lakewood Families Can Avoid Jefferson County Probate CourtColorado Probate Administration: A Step-by-Step Guide for Executors and Beneficiaries

February 26, 2026 Posted In Probate, Estate, & Trust Administration

Navigating Colorado probate can be daunting. This guide offers vital steps to simplify the process, ensuring peace of mind during a challenging time.

How to Contest a Will in Colorado: Grounds, Process, and Deadlines

February 26, 2026 Posted In Breach of Fiduciary Duty,Claims,Firm News,Probate, Estate, & Trust Administration,Trust & Will Contests,Trust Disputes

Navigate Colorado’s will contest process with confidence. Learn key deadlines and expert tips to successfully contest a will. Secure your rights today!

How to Appoint an Executor and Manage an Estate in Colorado

February 26, 2026 Posted In Estate Planning,Probate, Estate, & Trust Administration

Appointing an executor can be challenging. Learn the steps to manage an estate confidently and ensure your loved one’s wishes are honored with care.

For Lakewood Families: A Guide to Avoiding the Jefferson County Probate Court

December 9, 2025 Posted In Probate, Estate, & Trust Administration

Avoiding probate in Colorado ranks among the top priorities for families planning their estates. Many Lakewood residents want their loved ones to receive inheritances without having to navigate the court system in Golden during an already difficult time. The good news is that Colorado law provides several straightforward tools for keeping assets out of probate.…

My Parent Just Died in Lakewood: The First 5 Steps for Colorado Probate

November 17, 2025 Posted In Probate, Estate, & Trust Administration

Losing a parent brings a flood of emotions, and figuring out what to do when someone dies in Colorado often feels impossible during those first difficult days. Many Lakewood families find themselves suddenly facing unfamiliar legal territory while still processing grief. Colorado’s probate process follows a logical sequence. Understanding the first five steps gives you…

The “Personal Representative’s Handbook”: Your Duties in a Jefferson County Probate

November 15, 2025 Posted In Probate, Estate, & Trust Administration

Understanding your personal representative duties in Colorado becomes essential the moment a court appoints you to manage a loved one’s estate. Many Lakewood residents find themselves suddenly responsible for complex legal obligations they never anticipated handling. The role carries significant responsibility, but breaking it into manageable steps makes the process less overwhelming. Knowing what Colorado…

Who Should Be My Trustee?

March 25, 2025 Posted In Probate, Estate, & Trust Administration,Trust Administration,Trusts

The answer to this question is important to consider, as your choice of trustees can have significant impacts in the future. For instance, while a good trustee can ensure that assets are distributed according to your wishes (i.e., the terms of the trust), an unethical or untrustworthy trustee may compromise the interests of your beneficiaries.…

Ten Mistakes to Avoid When Estate Planning

August 10, 2021 Posted In Asset Protection,Estate Planning,Powers of Attorney,Probate, Estate, & Trust Administration

Planning your estate is an important undertaking, which is why you want to avoid making mistakes to prevent future hardships for your family after you are gone. Several common issues can easily occur if you do your estate planning haphazardly. The best way to properly undertake this important task is by hiring a Denver estate…

Six Hidden Costs of Administering a Will

August 28, 2016 Posted In Asset Protection,Creditors and Probate,Probate, Estate, & Trust Administration,Trust & Will Contests,Wills

Six Hidden Costs of Administering a Will When it is time to settle an estate and administer a will, there may be some obvious costs like court filing fees and estate taxes that will need to be covered as you proceed. Those may not be the only costs, as there are common other, less obvious…

Trusts & Taxes: FAQs about Tax Obligations for Trusts & Trustees

July 15, 2016 Posted In Estate Taxes,Trust Administration,Trusts

Trusts & Taxes: FAQs Taxation for trusts can be complicated, as there are special rules in place for filing and paying for trust-related taxes (as opposed to personal or business taxes). Understanding the obligations and requirements for the taxes related to trusts is important to properly managing and administering trusts and to avoiding future complications,…

Colorado Probate 101: What are “Small” Estates?

April 30, 2016 Posted In Estate Planning,Probate, Estate, & Trust Administration,Trust Administration,Trusts

How Colorado laws define small estates? Small estates, according to Colorado law, are estates that are not exclusive to real estate assets and that are valued at less than $64,000. Contact us to get details on what can be included in the $64,000 worth of assets. When estates qualify as being “small” in the eyes…

Essential Checklist for Estate Executors

March 21, 2016 Posted In Probate, Estate, & Trust Administration,Wills

Essential Checklist for Estate Executors The death of a loved one can be a great loss. For those who are named as executors of the estate however, the death can mean that it’s time to get to work carrying out the loved one’s final wishes and getting the estate settled. Because there can be a…