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Colorado Estate Planning Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Colorado on
Q: My mom's will was made by an attorney in El Paso County who has since died. There were two witnesses and a notary.

She has died in Oregon where that is not a sufficient will, and requires an Affidavit of Witness/Genuine Sig. Since the attorney who witnessed has died and I can't locate the notary (may also be gone, since it was 1998), is there any way to track down legal records/proof from a now-closed law... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Aug 24, 2022

Contact a competent OR attorney and see if Probate is needed, and if so, whether the alleged Will would make a difference. If necessary, you may be able to Probate somewhere the Will is valid. But most likely she will die intestate, probate or not.

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Family Law for Colorado on
Q: What do i do to object to my brother trying to become my dead dad's personal rep.

His son is already dad's personal rep.. Dad told him he didn't want him to be his rep. And dad said another nephew would be acceptable. I got court papers from utah.

Kevin Michael Strait
Kevin Michael Strait
answered on Jul 26, 2022

In Colorado, the most common ways to be personal representative ("PR") for the estate of someone that passed away are (1) to be nominated as PR in the will, or (2) to be a relative of the deceased person who applies to be PR.

In the first method, the will might name a PR and...
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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for Colorado on
Q: Hi there. This is a Colorado question. General or durable financial POA. Thank you kindly!

Can someone in Colorado who is a financial POA with no restrictions contact the principal's insurance company to find out if the principal has paid their premiums?

Kevin Michael Strait
Kevin Michael Strait
answered on Apr 13, 2022

In Colorado, a general power of attorney (PAO) gives broad powers to the "agent" allowing the agent to do things on behalf of the "principal". Common tasks are financial transactions, real estate transactions, paying bills, opening mail, and signing documents. The agent only has... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Colorado on
Q: How do I write a will and give one daughter 90% of my estate and the other daughter 10%,

My husband passed away in November of 2021. When he died he left everything to me, which included 5 income properties, 2 businesses and several antique vehicles. I need to do a will for myself now. I have 2 daughters, but one of my daughters is living on public assistance and she’s disabled. I... View More

Kyle Grabulis
Kyle Grabulis
answered on Mar 15, 2022

For your two daughters, specifying how much you would like to give each of them (90% to one, and 10% to the other in this case) is almost as simple as saying just that in a properly executed will. Wills can leave what are called "bequests" to different individuals, and you can specify... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Collections and Health Care Law for Colorado on
Q: If my husband died in the hospital, in Colorado, am I responsible for his medical bills?

All the bills are in his name only - I had not signed anything.

Kyle Grabulis
Kyle Grabulis
answered on Mar 11, 2022

Generally speaking, you are not responsible for the debts of another person, even if its your husband's medical bills as in this case. Since they are in his name only and you did not sign anything personally guaranteeing payment, you are not responsible for that debt.

However, your...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Family Law for Colorado on
Q: If I inherited money and placed that money in my husbands bank account that only has his name on it.

Then give that money to his mom to buy us a house. Now separated and she sold the house and we are goin through a divorce. Am I entitled to all the money back. Or do I need to split it with my ex husband. Do inheritance laws prevail or are they trumped once I deposited that money into his account

John Hyland Barrett III
John Hyland Barrett III
answered on Feb 11, 2022

That money has become marital property. It is now subject to an "equitable" distribution. This means a "fair" division, not necessarily an "equal" division. You should get lawyer to help you with this.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Colorado on
Q: How do you remove someone from a deed and car title that you no longer want them on it and they want to contest it.

My dad wants to remove my son from deed and titles. He has had to get a protection order against him. My mom wanted him on the deed and titles. My mom has passed and my dad wants to cut him out of everything.

Kevin Michael Strait
Kevin Michael Strait
answered on Feb 11, 2022

Colorado recognized joint ownership of vehicles. Check with the rules for your county; try typing in the name of your county/state and "joint vehicle registration" for help. For example, our office is in Larimer County, which posts this information:... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Colorado on
Q: When my husband dies do our assets need to go through probate?

Live in Colorado. Assets worth $130,000. All jointly owned. No real property. He has 1 child from another spouse. No will or trust

Kristine Evers Stinson
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Kristine Evers Stinson
answered on Feb 9, 2022

As with so many answers about estate planning issues, the answer is "it depends", and how to proceed depends on you and your spouse's wishes. It is very possible to avoid probate or be able to use a much simplified process of probate but it generally depends on what those assets... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Colorado on
Q: I want to change my trust document to give my corporation to a person upon my death.

I want to change my trust document to give my corporation to a person upon my death. How do I complete the sentence?

If assets of XYZ Consultants are a part of the Trust Estate Trustee shall

Kevin Michael Strait
Kevin Michael Strait
answered on Feb 3, 2022

Closely-held corporations in Colorado own assets in the name of the company even if the company is owned and operated by one person or a family. To use your example, the assets of XYZ Consultants would remain in the business if the owner of a single-member LLC died. Only if the business is... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Colorado on
Q: With no will , if I pay off my brothers truck loan will the truck become mine or does it have to go to his estate?

His estate is in probate and nobody was beneficiary on truck loan . But has 2 kids that dont want the truck and cant pay off the loan.

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Jan 23, 2022

You can make an offer to buy the truck from the estate for an amount equal to the amount to pay off the loan. Make sure the estate does in fact use the cash to pay off the loan, of course.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Colorado on
Q: Must a living trust mention future proceeds from accounts where the trust is the beneficiary (life ins, POD acct, etc.)?

I understand that a living trust must be funded, for example, by assigning interest in tangible property, assigning vehicle title, changing ownership of financial accounts to the trust, and that these items are listed as the property of the trust. My question is about assets that would transfer to... View More

Kevin Michael Strait
Kevin Michael Strait
answered on Jan 22, 2022

In Colorado, all trusts have four moving parts: a creator, a manager, a beneficiary, and some valuable assets. The valuable assets in the trust (called the "res" in some legal reference materials) are often just listed as "a dollar, and any other assets transferred in the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Colorado on
Q: In Colorado, a Will can be notarized without being signed by witnesses. Is such a will considered "self-proving"?
Kevin Michael Strait
Kevin Michael Strait
answered on Jan 17, 2022

In Colorado, a self-proving will must conform to Colorado Rev. Statute § 15-11-504 and does require two witnesses. Any will, notarized or not, that did not have witnesses is not self-proving. While it is possible to form the self-proving feature after a will is otherwise formed, it is most common... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Tax Law for Colorado on
Q: are trusts of estate required to be registered? And if so, is there an index number, or how can I find if registered?

are trustees required to submit forms proving powers of appointment?

D. Mathew Blackburn
D. Mathew Blackburn
answered on Dec 18, 2021

Irrevocable trusts are required to be registered as are estates subject to probate. Revocable trusts and estates under the probate requirements are not required to be filed with the district court, probate court in Denver County.

The best way to find out is to go to ICCES...
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Estate Planning and Probate for Colorado on
Q: I am a heir and a beneficiary on my grandfather's will I was sent info on estate and have no clue on what any of it mea

I would like a lawyer to explain to me in layman's terms what's really going on with my grandfather's estate and my inheritance

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Aug 6, 2021

Hire a competent CO attorney to look at the documents and give his assessment. You may need to examine the Probate Case File at Court, or at least call the Clerk.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Colorado on
Q: People staying on property no leases.

Husband and I were separated I left the house, husband has since past away, I take over the property. There's 2 people I've never met staying there, no leases. We found meth and other drug paraphernalia. Can I kick them out immediately

Sabra M. Janko
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answered on Jun 18, 2021

You can evict them through the formal eviction process if they will not leave upon your request.

3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for Colorado on
Q: My mom passed away in 2020. She had a sizable estate and a number of beneficiaries.

Her will stipulates that if any of her children passes away before the final distribution is made, that child's share is divided among the remaining living beneficiaries. Is it possible to put a provision in my will so that if I die before the final distribution is made, my share will go to my... View More

Sabra M. Janko
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answered on Jun 16, 2021

Your will can not override her will.

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Colorado on
Q: Mom & Dad passed away. 2 homes 4 siblings. 1 brother is living in 1 homew/other peole, need 2 sell how do you get him o

The brother has several people living in there & it's a mess. we can't find a will. There are no other known assets Mom passed away Nov. 2019. Can we legally get him out in order to sell the property. He is back & forth & both. We have changed the locks & he changes them.... View More

John Hyland Barrett III
John Hyland Barrett III
answered on Jun 15, 2021

One option: Have one of the children file for probate and ask to be appointed personal representative of the estate. The PR can bring an eviction action if necessary. The PR can then sell the properties and administer the estate by paying any liabilities and distributing the proceeds among the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Colorado on
Q: My husband and I only have our home, bank accounts and retirement accounts. No minors, do we need a willl or a trust?

Our life insurance policies have beneficiaries as do our retirement accounts. We will name each other as agents/beneficiaries and another family member as a secondary agent.

Sabra M. Janko
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answered on Jun 6, 2021

It is always a good idea to have a will to ensure that your property passes as you wish rather than by state law. Additionally in your will you appoint a personal representative to handle the estate. Certain retirement accounts may be passed to the other spouse if you have a survivor benefit plan... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Colorado on
Q: Do I need a will? I own a home, but am not married or have any children
Nina Whitehurst
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answered on May 25, 2021

You don't "need" a will if you don't care who inherits your real and personal property after you die. You can just let the chips fall where they may. A lot of people do care, however.

Are your parents still alive? Are you OK with them inheriting everything? If your...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Colorado on
Q: Can my husband try to fight me to get half a house if I plan to but it? We don't share any accts. leave abusive marriage

^*buy.

I have been planning to leave an emotional and verbally abusive marriage. I am making a safe plan to leave. I got a job and have been pre-approved to buy a home. Will my husband tried to fight for the house if he finds outs? I am sincerely doing this for my safety and my kids. We... View More

Sabra M. Janko
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answered on May 23, 2021

I am sorry to hear about your situation. In your situation, if you would like to purchase a home before the dissolution is final, it may be best to file for legal separation or wait until after a dissolution to purchase the property. Anything that you purchase after a decree of legal separation is... View More

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