Need for Probate
Need for Probate

Planning Objectives
Planning Objectives
Family Education
Family Relations
Asset Protection
Incapacity/Heath
Married Couple
Second Marriage
Single Person

Disclaimer Provisons
Need for Disclaimer

Spouse Claims
Spouse Elective

Probate Tax Planning
Income Tax
Estate Tax
Gift Tax

Elder Law
Elder Law
Medicaid

Asset Protection

Intrafamily Business
Gift of Business Int.
Farms & Ranches

Re-Marriage
PreNuptial Agrmnt
PostNuptial Agrmnt

Estate Admin.
Fiduciary Duty
Dispute Litigation

Real Estate
Joint Tenancy
Tenants in Com
Avoid Probate



Family Business
Family Business

Annuities & Insur.
Annuities
Life Insurnace
Long Term Care

Retirement Money
IRA
401(k)
Pensions
Annuities


Post Mortem Plans
Disclaimers
Fiduciary Fees
Distribution Agmnt

Court Protection
Guardianship
Conservator

Practical Colorado Probate Court & Administration

(This web site will be revised by June 12, 2011.)

Probate court Proceedings in Colorado Do Not Have to be Expensive

If you need to probate Colorado estate assets, the probate process can be completed with a minimum of expense.

Simple estates can be probated for attorney fees of $1,500 to $2,500.

Avoid Expensive Family Disputes

A poor estate plan, or a total lack of estate planning, often results in disputes between family members. These disputes can result in damaged family relationships where one or more family members withdraws and then engages in dispute litigation. Family dispute litigation can needlessly cost a lot of money.

Avoid Unnecessary Expenses, Such as Taxes and Other Expenses

Your estate plan should result in reduced income tax and other estate administration expenses. Capital gain income tax is fully eliminated. Don't convert capital gain assets to ordinary income. Ordinary income is fully taxed.

Avoid the cost of court-supervised incapacity proceedings, probate, and similar expenses.

All Trust Plans Must be Funded With Asset Transfers to Trust

All trust plans must include asset transfers to the trust. If the transfers are not done, the trust plan is ineffective. This is especially true with out-of-state real estate ownership.

Some attorneys charge additional fees for asset transfers. We don't charge any additional and we require that we do the asset transfers. Otherwise they don't get completed.

All Estate Plans Should Have Testamentary "Safety Net" Trust Provisions

All estate plans should have trust provisions such as disclaimers to protect your estate from the reach of beneficiary creditors and protect your beneficiaries from court-supervised proceedings.

This is true especially for wills as well as trusts.

Asset Protection Should be a Part of Every Estate Plan

Asset protection techniques should be reviewed as a part of every planning analysis. In some cases, business entities, such as limited liability companies (LLC), should be used. And sometimes a corporate entity should be converted to an LLC.

Medicaid Planning Should be Used in Some Plans to Protect Assets

An understanding of our long-term care Medicaid laws is necessary in order to protect family assets, particularly for the stay-at-home spouse. However, the Medicaid laws continue to change to make qualification more difficult. There is no free lunch with long-term care such as nursing home care.

Free Written Plan at a Free Initial Consultation, to Discuss Your Options

You can find out what options are best for you.  You will receive a free written evaluation and plan when you come in for a free initial consultation.

Free educational materials, including a free copy of our book are provided at every free consultation.

Set an appointment for a free initial consultation by calling (303) 804-9898.  No obligation or pressure.

You can download a map showing our location near I-25 and Arapahoe Road.