Your Essential Estate Planning Checklist

June 30, 2015 Posted In Estate Planning,Firm News
by Colorado Estate Matters

When you’re ready to put an estate plan in place, knowing where to start and what you need to do can be confusing.

To help you initiate this process with a mind towards the various aspects you may need to consider.  We  have provided an essential estate planning checklist. Do not hesitate to contact us when you want experienced help. We can develop a comprehensive estate plan tailored to your needs and wishes.

Your Checklist for Estate Planning

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  An experienced Denver estate planning attorney provides an essential checklist to facilitate the estate planning process. Contact us when you’re ready to develop an estate plan.

  Create a will – Your will should outline your assets, chosen beneficiaries and who you would like to inherit your assets.

• Figure out if you need to develop a trust – Trusts can help loved ones avoid probate for certain assets. To make sure that a loved one inherits certain property without having to deal with probate, setting up a trust is a good idea. Trusts can be beneficial for other reasons or situations. Be sure to consult with an experienced lawyer to find out if this would be beneficial for you and your loved ones.
• Develop powers of attorney – Specifically, you may want to develop financial and medical powers of attorney. While a financial power of attorney can ensure that your assets, property and businesses are taken care of should you become incapacitated. A medical power of attorney can ensure that your health care and end-of-life decisions are made by a person whom you trust (in the event of incapacitation).
• Make your final arrangement plans – Your final arrangement plans should be in separate document from your will.  It should detail things like whether you want to be buried or cremated. Or if you would want a ceremony prior to being laid to rest.
• Name beneficiaries for certain accounts – For retirement accounts and bank accounts you can designate a beneficiary to inherit these upon your death. By doing this, you can prevent these assets from having to go through  probate.
• Make plans to protect your business – If you have a business, then your estate plan should include arrangements for protection.  Do you know how your shares in the business will be passed?
• Store your estate planning documents – Once you have developed an estate plan, the final step will be to store these documents in safe place (like in a safe, a safety deposit box, with a lawyer, etc.). When you do be sure to inform your loved ones of where these documents are.

Denver Estate Attorney at Colorado Estate Matters, Ltd. can go over your current estate plan to make sure it is complete.

Are you ready to put a comprehensive estate plan in place? If so, you can turn to the Denver estate attorney at Colorado Estate Matters, Ltd. We provide a thoughtful, comprehensive approach to our clients’ estate planning, elder law and other legal needs.  We take pride in helping each of our clients and their families find the best solutions for them.

Contact Us

We can discuss your estate planning needs and different options during our consultation. To schedule this meeting, call us at (303) 713-9147 or email us using the contact form at the top of this page.

From our offices in Denver, we serve clients throughout the southwest and southeast Metro Area, including (but not limited to) people in Highlands Ranch, Littleton, Castle Rock, Parker, Aurora, Greenwood Village, Englewood, Centennial, Wheat Ridge, Golden and Arvada.