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Keeping Estate Planning Current

December 19, 2013 Posted In Asset Protection,Estate Planning,Wills
by Justin Blow

Wills are not the only estate planning documents used in Colorado that provide for a transfer of assets after the death of the owner. Many types of accounts include beneficiary designations that will govern the disposition of the property in those accounts, even where contrary provisions are made in the will. This would include bank…

Updating Estate Planning Documents After a Divorce

December 11, 2013 Posted In Estate Planning,Wills
by Justin Blow

Once a divorce is final, both parties are likely to want to move along and think about things other than the endless paperwork that was involved in the process. However, it is important to take the time to deal with estate planning concerns that may result from a newly single status. One of the first…

Personal Representative’s Guide

December 4, 2013 Posted In Estate Planning,Probate, Estate, & Trust Administration
by Justin Blow

The Colorado Bar Association has created a Personal Representative’s Guide to help people understand the process and the duties of a PR in estate administration. In Colorado, a person appointed by the court named to administer an estate is known as the Personal Representative. This position used to be called an executor (male) or executrix…

The Estate Planning Puzzle

November 27, 2013 Posted In Estate Planning,Firm News
by Justin Blow

Think of your Estate Planning like a puzzle. Some of us have 100 piece puzzles and others have the 5,000 piece puzzle. Many people come to our seminars and office focused on either tax savings or probate avoidance. Both can be important pieces of the Estate Planning puzzle but for a large majority of clients…

Michael Jackson Estate Sued

November 7, 2013 Posted In Claims,Creditors and Probate,Estate Planning,Firm News,Probate, Estate, & Trust Administration,Trust & Will Contests
by Justin Blow

Colorado residents may have heard that Quincy Jones is filing a lawsuit against the estate of the late Michael Jackson. Jones claims that the estate owes him production fees and royalties for many of Jackson’s hits. According to the Jackson Estate, Jones worked with the pop singer for 35 years, and the man helped produce…

This is the best financial advice for 50-year-olds you should know

October 23, 2013 Posted In Estate Planning
by Justin Blow

In Colorado and throughout the nation, those in their 50s feel younger and more vibrant than they did a few generations ago. This false sense of security causes many in their 50s to make financial decisions that could negatively impact them as they age. Those in their 50s should make attitudinal changes to ensure a…

Spendthrift Trusts and Asset Protection

October 11, 2013 Posted In Asset Protection,Trust Administration,Trusts
by Justin Blow

While trusts are commonly regarded in Colorado and elsewhere as estate planning tools, they can also be useful as a way for people to protect their assets while they are still living. An asset protection trust, also known as a spendthrift trust, places assets into a living trust under which the trustor is also the…

Estate Planning Should Be Done Early

September 24, 2013 Posted In Asset Protection,Estate Planning,Powers of Attorney,Wills
by Justin Blow

Estate planning is often associated with retirement, but getting affairs in order earlier in life can ensure that an individual is prepared for life’s uncertainties. Regardless of how much a person is worth, they should begin the process of estate planning as soon as possible. Especially for those with young children, setting a financial plan…

Certain Documents Should Accompany Every Estate Plan

September 13, 2013 Posted In Asset Protection,Estate Planning,Estate Taxes,Medical Directives,Powers of Attorney,Trusts,Wills
by Justin Blow

Planning for one’s death is never pleasant; however, as many Colorado residents may already know, it is often a fact of life. This is especially true when there are numerous assets that must be given away as part of one’s estate. An authority on the subject in a recent piece provided some guidance on which…

Make Sure Beneficiary Designations Are Current

September 5, 2013 Posted In Asset Protection,Estate Planning,Probate, Estate, & Trust Administration
by Justin Blow

Beneficiary designations play a big role in determining the disposition of assets upon a Denver resident’s death. Typically, these beneficiaries are named in the paperwork of financial assets such as investment accounts, IRAs and insurance policies. If there is a conflict between who is named in a will and who is named as a beneficiary…

How to help aging parents financially

August 28, 2013 Posted In Elder Law,Estate Planning
by Justin Blow

Navigating financial discussions with your aging parents doesn’t have to be daunting. At Colorado Estate Matters, we’re here to guide you through these sensitive conversations with compassion and expertise. Let’s make this journey smoother for you and your family. Call (303) 713-9147 to schedule a free consultation with a Denver elder law attorney and discover…

Include Provisions for Aging in Estate Planning

August 23, 2013 Posted In Asset Protection,Estate Planning,Medical Directives,Powers of Attorney,Wills
by Justin Blow

People in Colorado who are engaged in their estate planning might want to include provisions denoting how they want their estates handled if they become unable to make financial decisions themselves in their living wills. Because more and more Americans are living longer, it is more important than ever now for people to plan for…