For Wills, Powers of Attorney, Living Wills, and Trusts, you should request the initial packet of information to review and fill out, and schedule an initial meeting.  Usually, we send this information via email to keep our costs down.  We would be happy to email you our Estate Planning Questionnaire and forms for you to review in preparing your estate plan.  Jennifer will assist you in deciding which documents are the best ones for you and your situation and completing those documents.

Please consider requesting our initial packet of information be sent to you via email (it helps keep your costs down). 

Will

A Will is a legal document that directs how your assets will be given away after your death. It allows you to give away some or all of what you own, including your real estate, cars, business holdings, money and personal property. Your property may be given to anyone you choose, with certain exceptions, after your estate debts are paid. You may name whom you want to act as Guardian for a minor or disabled adult child. You also can appoint a Personal Representative to handle your affairs after your death.  A Personal Representative is known as an Executor or Executrix in other states.  Colorado has specific requirements to make a Will valid and make any modifications to the Will valid. 

Powers of Attorney

A Power of Attorney is a legal document in which you give another person legal authority to act for you.  There are different types of Powers of Attorney and also specific ones for Health Care (Medical) and Financial issues. 

Living Wills

A Living Will has three purposes: it gives your doctor your instructions about life sustaining procedures, artificial nourishment and organ donation.

Estate Planning

An estate plan is a written expression of how you want your assets to be owned, managed and preserved during your lifetime and how you want them disposed of upon your death.  Estate planning may include wills, trusts, business interests, life insurance, Social Security benefits, long-term care, charitable giving, special needs for disabled or elderly, taxes, and estate administration expenses.

Trusts

A Trust is a legal arrangement where one person (the Grantor) gives control of his or her property to a Trust.  A Trust is administered by a Trustee for the Beneficiary's benefit.  You can create a Trust to manage assets upon your death for your children, other individuals or charities.  Many clients are interested in a Revocable Trust or Living Trust.  A Living Trust is created while you are alive and allows you to control the distribution of your estate.  You transfer your assets into the Living Trust and appoint yourself or someone else as Trustee.  There are certain situations where Trusts, including Living Trusts, are appropriate – and other situations where Trusts, including Living Trusts, are not appropriate.      

Probate

Probate is the process of formally distributing a person’s possessions after death.  Some assets are considered Probate assets and some are considered Non-Probate assets.  Probate assets can be handled by Affidavit, Informally, or Supervised by the Court.