The Hidden Costs of Probate—and How to Avoid Them The hidden costs of probate can take grieving families by surprise. What seems like a simple process of distributing assets often turns into a lengthy, expensive, and public ordeal. Probate is the court-supervised...
I Did My Powers of Attorney Years Ago — Should I Redo Them? Power of attorney documents are vital tools in your estate plan — but if you created your financial and health care POAs years ago, you might wonder whether they still do the job. After all, you planned ahead...
Dying Without a Will or Trust: Protect Your Legacy Today Dying without a will or trust creates uncertainty for your family and puts your estate in the hands of state law. Most people avoid thinking about death, but failing to plan can lead to long delays, court fees,...
Estate Planning on a Budget: Why You Still Need a Plan A common misconception is that estate planning is only for the wealthy. But the truth is, estate planning on a budget is just as important—maybe even more so. Everyone, regardless of income or assets, should have...
I Just Finished My Estate Plan — Who Should I Give My Power of Attorney To? Congratulations — completing your estate plan is a major step toward protecting yourself, your loved ones, and your legacy. But now that the documents are signed and notarized, you may be...
What’s the Difference Between a Revocable Trust and an Irrevocable Trust? Control matters. Revocable trust vs irrevocable trust—when you’re setting up an estate plan, one of the biggest decisions you’ll face is choosing between the two. While both are powerful tools...
Transferring your home to a revocable living trust is a key estate planning strategy to ensure your property passes smoothly to your loved ones without the delays, costs, or publicity of probate. This guide explains how to deed your house to your trust, outlines...
Famous End-of-Life Disputes That Could Have Been Avoided With a Living Will When someone becomes unable to make their own medical decisions, having a living will in place can prevent confusion, delay, and painful conflict among loved ones. A living will provides clear...
Guardian Selection: 8 Critical Factors to Consider Guardian selection is one of the most important decisions parents can make. When professionals—estate planners, attorneys, and family counselors—help clients choose a caretaker for their minor children, they emphasize...
What Does “Dying Intestate” Mean? Dying without a will in Colorado means passing away without a will, resulting in a situation called dying intestate. In this case, the Colorado Probate Code, not your personal wishes, determines who receives your property. These laws...