Blog
Contesting a will for being left out of it
A Colorado estate owner who signs a last will and testament may make changes, updates or deletions as desired, provided he or she is of sound mind. There are many cases where a person who believed he or she was named as an heir or beneficiary in another person's will...
Helping children cope is often a priority in divorce
Helping children adapt to major changes in their lives can be challenging. When a set of parents decide to divorce, a series of decisions must be made concerning the children, and these decisions may prompt changes that disrupt a child's daily routine. If parents do...
Estate planning after major life events
Creating an estate plan is an important part of planning for your future. However, it is not the only step. Updating your plan is also key, and overlooking this important estate planning step could even have unintended consequences.Regularly reviewing your will,...
Can divorce cause post-traumatic stress disorder?
As 2020 winds down, many married couples have encountered serious challenges in their relationships. On the threshold of a new year, there are likely many people in Colorado and throughout the country who are considering filing for divorce. Even in cases where both...
My Ex Isn’t Paying Child Support. Can I Make Them?
According to the Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE), states across the U.S. collected about $32 billion on behalf of the 14.7 million children served by child support enforcement programs during the fiscal year of 2018. During a divorce or legal...
Probate vs. Trust Administration
According to a 2020 Estate Planning and Wills study by Caring.com, less than one-third (32%) of Americans have a will, trust, or estate planning document in place. Distributing the assets or settling the final affairs of the decedent involves several processes and...
How to Avoid Probate in Colorado
Probate can easily cost about 3% to 7% or more of an estate's total value. It may even cost more if an attorney, executor, and accountant are involved in the process. Moreover, the probate proceedings may take up to two years, and the court will freeze all estate's...
I Don’t Agree with the Executor of a Loved One’s Estate: What Can I Do?
Settling the final affairs of the deceased can be a complicated and emotional process. Family conflicts and disputes may escalate during the estate settlement process. Furthermore, the estate administration is overseen by an executor who may not be carrying out their...
Will and Estate Planning Checklist
Nearly everyone has an estate. Chances are, you do as well. Your estate includes nearly everything you own, including your assets, property, financial accounts, vehicles, or life insurance policy. These are items that you will leave behind when you pass on. The...
Asset Distribution: 4 Mistakes to Avoid When Designating Beneficiaries
Designated beneficiaries are people (though can also be a trust or an estate) whose life expectancy is used to calculate particular features of a retirement plan. These plans can include qualified plans, 457(b) plans for state and local government employees, 403(b)...