Trust / Estate Planning & Administration

At Highlands Ranch Law Center P.C., we know it is difficult to plan for the time when you will not be with your family and friends.  We understand it is unpleasant to deal with such realities and will work with you to prepare for your eventual passing.  While Colorado law allows for intestate succession, where a court is able to divide your inheritance between family members in the event of your passing without a will or trust, we believe it is better to organize your affairs in advance.  Our attorneys will plan your estate to reduce tax implications, fees, and court costs, making sure your estate is divided as you intend.  We have extensive experience with:

• Wills
• Trusts
• Medical Directives
• Power of Attorney

Wills

A will must be executed according to the formal requirements of Colorado laws for it to be valid.  Having an attorney assist you when you make your will reduces the time your loved ones will spend putting your estate in order.  We can also help you keep your will up to date as you live your life, ensuring your inheritance is kept in an orderly fashion.  

Trusts

Trusts are beneficial techniques for reducing estate taxes as well as affording asset protection from creditors of beneficiaries. They can hold cash, personal property, and real property and can be named the beneficiary of life insurance proceeds.  Trusts can also be used for management and investment of assets and work in addition or conjunction to wills when planning your estate.  They are helpful in a variety of situations:

• Managing assets for beneficiaries who are too young or irresponsible
• Managing assets for someone who is incapacitated by old age or severe injuries
• To pass assets to beneficiaries without going through probate
• To shelter estates of high net worth from federal estate taxes
• To avoid unnecessary probate expenses for real estate owned in multiple states

Topics to address when considering your estate plan include:

• How to treat children fairly
• How to lessen the pain of taxes
• How to keep assets out of the wrong hands
• How to transfer value, not just money
• Choosing the right people to handle your assets – upon your incapacity or a disability, and at your death
• Considering how your assets should be managed

Medical Directives

A medical directive (also known as a living will) is a record of your wishes regarding medical treatments you wish to accept or refuse, such as resuscitation, artificial feedings, or life support, should you become mentally incompetent or seriously injured.  You can also use a medical directive to appoint a proxy—someone to make medical decisions for you if you are unable to do so.  Establishing a medical directive solidifies any verbal opinions you may have expressed and will solve any well-intentioned disagreements between loved ones regarding your care.

Power of Attorney

Power of Attorney is when you authorize someone else to make business or legal decisions on your behalf in the event of your incapacitation.  Though Colorado law does not require a witness to the power of attorney, it is recommended that multiple witnesses are present and the document is notarized.  Power of attorney ends when you pass. 

Our attorneys have the skill and knowledge to walk you through all estate planning procedures.  We take a simple, straightforward approach to maximize and protect the inheritance you leave behind. 

Our estate planning services include:

• Wills
• Testamentary Trusts
• Revocable Trusts
• Irrevocable Trusts
• Special Needs Trusts
• Lifetime Appointment of Guardian
• General Powers of Attorney
• Medical Powers of Attorney
• Living Wills
• Charitable Planning
• Planning for Persons with Disabilities or Special Needs
• Life Insurance Planning and Life Insurance Trusts

We can also review any existing estate planning documents you have.