When a loved one dies, there are often matters of probate, estate, or trust administration for grieving family members to deal with. An experienced Denver probate lawyer at Colorado Estate Matters, Ltd. in Colorado can provide compassionate, knowledgeable representation to guide you through the probate litigation legal process. Contact us today at (303) 713-9147 to get the legal help you need in a difficult time. You may also reach us through our online contact form.
Probate is the legal process by which a deceased person’s estate is distributed to designated beneficiaries or heirs of the decedent and debts owed to creditors are paid off. If a valid Last Will and Testament exists, the property of the estate is distributed according to the will. If the decedent died intestate (with no will) the property is distributed to the heirs according to state law.
Probate is required whenever someone dies with assets that did not pass automatically to beneficiaries (such as those held in living trusts, joint tenancy, beneficiary designation, payable on death and transfer on death), probate is required. At the law firm of Colorado Estate Matters, Ltd., we are experienced in both esstate (for someone who died with a valid will) and intestate (for someone who died without a will) probate. Our Denver probate lawyers and Denver elder law attorneys practice in all counties in the south Denver metro area and elsewhere in Colorado. We are also experienced in administering estates held wholly or partially in living trusts.
Not all assets have to go through the probate process. Some transfer automatically upon the death of the owner. Examples include:
Most Colorado probate court proceedings are informal, wherein heirs and beneficiaries are in accord and there are no creditor problems to resolve. To begin the process, you file an application to serve as a personal representative of the estate with the probate court. When your application is approved by the court, you receive a document known as Letters Testamentary granting you legal authority to act for the estate. There are a series of actions the Personal Representative must take and documents that must be filed with the court before the property can be distributed, the debts and taxes can be paid, and the probate closed with a final accounting and closing statement.
Formal probate can be unsupervised or supervised. Both are court proceedings.
Our probate lawyers bring to the estate and probate process not only significant experience and competence but also compassion and counseling to help families through this difficult period.
From simple situations to complex technical issues, and from good family relations to bitter squabbles, we have guided many families through the legal minefield as well as the difficult personal relationship issues that may arise during the probate litigation process.
Call Colorado Estate Matters, Ltd. law office today at (303) 713-9147 to speak with a Denver probate attorney. You can also fill out the contact form on this website to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.
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.
Wonderful and helpful staff. Very happy with the service. Will highly recommend Justin Blow and staff. Victor and Barbara DeLauro
-Barbara D.