What should I bring to my first estate planning meeting?

You don’t need to arrive fully organized. A basic list of your assets such as your home, bank accounts, retirement accounts, and insurance policies is helpful. It’s also useful to think about who you trust to make financial or healthcare decisions for you. Any existing estate documents should be brought along as well. An estate planning lawyer in Harvey Park can guide you through the rest.

Do I need a trust or is a will enough?

It depends on your assets and goals. A will is essential and works well for many families. A trust may help avoid probate or provide more control over how assets are distributed. The right approach depends on your property, family structure, and long-term intentions.

How long does it take to set up an estate plan?

For most families, the process takes a few weeks. It depends on how quickly information is gathered and whether the plan is simple or more detailed, such as including a trust.

What if I become incapacitated and can’t make decisions?

Without powers of attorney and medical directives, your family may need to go to court to gain authority to act on your behalf. Proper estate planning in Harvey Park allows someone you trust to step in immediately if needed.

When do you need a probate?

A probate is required when the deceased person held real estate in his sole name, and his estate also included personal property valued over $80,000.

What are the types of probate in Colorado?

In Colorado, you will find informal and formal probate proceedings. Informal probates occur when there is no dispute, and how assets should be distributed is clear. There will be minimal judicial supervision. On the other hand, formal proceedings are required if there are disputes, contested wills, and other complex matters. In this case, there will be significant judicial supervision. Whatever the process may be, as your probate lawyer in Harvey Park, Whitcomb Selensky PC is here to help.

What is the “Small Estate” exception in Colorado?

In Colorado, small estates, where the total value of personal property is $86,000 or less, can avoid the full probate process. Instead, they can use a Small Estate Affidavit (JDF 999) to expedite the process. This will allow heirs to collect assets 10 days after presenting the affidavit. This exception only applies to personal property, not real estate.

How long do you have to start the probate process?

In Colorado, you have a three-year window from the date of death to start the probate process. If no probate is filed, the estate may be distributed in accordance with Colorado intestacy law. If the probate application has not been filed within three years, initiating formal proceedings can be difficult. As your probate lawyer in Harvey Park, Whitcomb Selensky can help you get the probate started immediately.

Is there a waiting period for probate in Colorado?

Yes, the court cannot immediately act on a probate application. Colorado law requires the court to adhere to a waiting period of 120 hours (5 days) after the passing of the deceased to act on the probate application.

Probate Lawyer Harvey Park

Many of us are unsure where to begin or whether the current plan is truly enough when it comes to protecting families and making sure our wishes are honored. Working with an experienced estate planning lawyer in Harvey Park can answer all your property questions. With the right support, you can create a structured plan that aligns with your long term goals for protecting assets with no rushed decisions that were never your intention in the first place. This, in turn, will reduce stress for your loved ones when the time comes.

Understanding What an Estate Plan Actually Includes

Estate planning is not a single document. A complete plan usually includes several pieces that work together. Most plans start with a will, which outlines how assets should be distributed and who should be responsible for carrying out those instructions. Just as important are powers of attorney and medical directives, which allow trusted individuals to make financial or healthcare decisions if you are unable to do so yourself.

Do You Need a Will or a Trust in Your Estate Plan?

Every estate plan usually includes a will, even if a trust is part of the structure. A will allows you to name guardians for minor children and serves as a backup to transfer any assets not placed into a trust.

A trust, on the other hand, helps avoid probate for assets titled in its name and provides more control over how and when beneficiaries receive property.

The right choice depends on how your assets are titled, whether probate avoidance is important to you, and how much control you want over distributions. There is no one-size-fits-all answer, and that’s why professional guidance from an experienced estate planning lawyer in Harvey Park matters.

How Your Estate Planning Lawyer at Whitcomb Law Helps You Set Up a Trust

Setting up a trust starts with a simple conversation. We begin by reviewing what you own, including your home, bank accounts, investments, and other assets. We also take a look at how they are currently titled. This helps us determine whether a trust is appropriate for your situation.

Next, we prepare the trust document and any related paperwork, such as a will and powers of attorney, so everything works together as one clear plan.

After the documents are signed, our estate planning lawyer will guide you through transferring the right assets into the trust. This step, called “funding,” is what allows the trust to actually work and helps your family avoid probate later.

What to Expect From a Free Case Review

A free case review is an educational conversation. We start by learning about your family, assets, and concerns. From there, we explain your options clearly and identify any gaps or risks. You’ll leave knowing whether your current estate plan works or what steps make sense next.

If you’re ready to stop wondering whether your plan is good enough, a free case review is a simple way to get answers. An experienced estate planning lawyer in Harvey Park can help you protect your family as well as your intentions with your assets.

Ready to Talk Through Your Options?

If you’re considering estate planning and want clear guidance, the team at Whitcomb Law is here to help. Our approach focuses on understanding your goals and explaining your options in plain language so we can work together to create a plan that reflects your wishes. Document your expectations for your hard-earned assets on time and save your loved ones from confusion.

Schedule a free case review to get started right away.

With more than 100 years of combined military service and legal experience, the diverse team of litigators have settled successful cases, often against formidable odds and high stakes.

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Colorado
300 Union Boulevard
Suite 200
Lakewood, CO 80228

(303) 534-1958 (local)

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RELIABLE ESTATE PLANNING LAWYER IN HARVEY PARK

Your assets, your legacy, your wishes protected.

Understanding What an Estate Plan Actually Includes

Do You Need a Will or a Trust in Your Estate Plan?

How Your Estate Planning Lawyer at Whitcomb Law Helps You Set Up a Trust

What to Expect From a Free Case Review

Ready to Talk Through Your Options?

Common Estate Planning FAQs

What should I bring to my first estate planning meeting?

Do I need a trust or is a will enough?

How long does it take to set up an estate plan?

What if I become incapacitated and can’t make decisions?

3 EASY STEPS

Get Started in

3 EASY STEPS

Request Your Free Consultation Today

Or Call (866) 433-4116

The Whitcomb Selinsky Law Group Also Includes:

RELIABLE ESTATE PLANNING LAWYER IN HARVEY PARK

Your assets, your legacy, your wishes protected.

Understanding What an Estate Plan Actually Includes

Do You Need a Will or a Trust in Your Estate Plan?

How Your Estate Planning Lawyer at Whitcomb Law Helps You Set Up a Trust

What to Expect From a Free Case Review

Ready to Talk Through Your Options?

We're Here for You

Common Estate Planning FAQs

What should I bring to my first estate planning meeting?

Do I need a trust or is a will enough?

How long does it take to set up an estate plan?

What if I become incapacitated and can’t make decisions?

3 EASY STEPS

Get Started in

3 EASY STEPS

Request Your Free Consultation Today

Or Call (866) 433-4116

The Whitcomb Selinsky Law Group Also Includes: