Protecting Clients, Their Families And Their Legacies
For many people, "family" includes more than just blood relatives. If you have a "chosen family", such as a long-term partner, close friends or other community members, you may want to provide for them. Without a specific legal plan, Colorado's laws will likely...
Probate proceedings often involve a personal representative following the deceased person's instructions or state intestate succession statutes. They repay debts, communicate with creditors and distribute property to beneficiaries. However, sometimes, estate...
A will has significant legal authority. It helps clarify who should inherit from an estate and even which assets the decedent wanted them to receive. Wills can name guardians for minor children and personal representatives to oversee estate administration. Creating a...
Naming a health care proxy or medical decision-maker is one of the most important parts of making an estate plan. It helps ensure that the person you trust most can advocate for you when it matters. However, if you identify as LGBTQ, Colorado law may not automatically...
Powers of attorney are among the most useful estate planning documents. They take effect when people experience incapacitation. Financial powers of attorney grant an agent or attorney-in-fact authority to access resources, manage a small business and pay an...
Drafting a will puts the average adult ahead of the curve. Quite a few people do not have any estate planning documents in place. However, stopping with just a will may not be the best decision. Wills are better than nothing, but they only take effect when the...
Same-sex couples in Colorado have many of the same rights and legal protections as any other couples. However, the one area in which their marriages differ from heterosexual relationships is the inability to share biological children. Same-sex couples sometimes use...
Creating an estate plan is important for everyone, regardless of family circumstances. Yet, some estate plans are certainly more straightforward than others due to one’s family situation. If you don’t have close loved ones—such as children, a spouse or nearby...
Quite a few adults do not have wills. Those who have drafted wills generally expect their loved ones and the probate courts to uphold their wishes. Most of the time, testamentary instruments play a key role during estate administration. However, there are scenarios in...
People often understand that wills protect them and their loved ones. However, it is still relatively common for people to procrastinate about creating estate plans. Recent research indicates that roughly two-thirds of adults in the United States do not have even a...