Secure Your Family’s Future With The Help of An Experienced Estate Planning Attorney
No matter how large or small your estate, you have the right to decide what happens to your assets when you pass away. Estate planning is an important way to protect yourself and provide for your loved ones in the future. Because you won’t be around to provide clarity or answer questions, however, it is critical to work with an attorney who can ensure your documents are clear, unambiguous and legally sound.
When you work with Peter Rogers Family Law, you will receive guidance from an attorney with more than 50 years of experience. Our firm has been helping individuals and families in Boulder and surrounding areas of Colorado secure peace of mind for decades.
What Will Be Included in Your Colorado Estate Plan?
Each estate plan can and should be customized to an individual’s needs, goals and circumstances. However, many plans contain similar documents and legal instruments, including:
- A will: This document allows you to specify how you want your assets distributed after your death. You can also name guardians for your minor children.
- One or more trusts: These are legal entities that give you considerable control over how and when your assets are distributed to intended beneficiaries.
- Durable financial power of attorney: If you become incapacitated, you want someone you trust to make important decisions on your behalf. Granting someone durable power of attorney gives them the legal authority to do so.
- Durable medical power of attorney: appoints someone to make medical and health care decisions for you.
- An advance health care directive: Also known as a living will, this document outlines your preferences for medical treatment if you become terminally ill or are in a persistent vegetative state.
- Beneficiary designations: Ensure that your retirement accounts, life insurance policies and other financial accounts have up-to-date beneficiary designations.
Some clients need little more than a well-drafted will, while others may want to engage in asset protection strategies and plan in a manner that avoids the need for probate. During your free initial consultation, estate planning attorney Peter Rogers will discuss these and other options in greater detail and help you choose the documents and instruments appropriate for your plan.
Answers To Common Estate Planning Questions
Below, we’ve provided answers to frequently asked questions from prospective estate planning clients.
What are revocable and irrevocable trusts?
A revocable trust, also known as a living trust, can be altered or revoked during the settlor’s lifetime. An irrevocable trust cannot be altered or revoked after being created.
As the creator and trustee of a living trust, you can transfer your assets into the trust and manage them during your lifetime. The Settlor is the person who creates a trust. When you pass away, the trust becomes irrevocable and the assets will be distributed to beneficiaries without going through probate.
What is the difference between a conservatorship and a guardianship?
Both conservatorships and guardianships are legal arrangements designed to protect individuals who cannot manage their own affairs. A conservatorship grants someone the authority to handle financial matters for another person who has become incapacitated (unable to make or communicate decisions for themselves). A guardianship gives someone the responsibility to make personal and health care decisions for the incapacitated individual. The Court makes the appointment of the Conservator, and/or the Guardian.
Designating power of attorney can prevent the need to create a guardianship or conservatorship, saving considerable time, stress and money. However, if a loved one has become incapacitated without designating power of attorney, Pete can help you petition the court to appoint you or someone else as a guardian or conservator.
Discuss Your Needs With an Experienced Estate Planning Attorney For Free
Peter Rogers Family Law serves clients throughout Boulder County and surrounding areas of Colorado. To take advantage of a free initial consultation about your estate plan, call our Boulder office at 303-879-8431 or submit an online contact form.