Estate Planning That Works
For Real People
Protecting Your Legacy and Providing Peace of Mind
What Sets Our
Estate Planning Services Apart
You work hard toward your life's accomplishments. Whether that includes some measure of wealth, a business legacy, or raising a family you are proud of, the way you pass it all on to the people and causes you care about is an important part of your life's plan.
We can help you express your wishes for what happens to you and your estate when you no longer can express them.
- Personal Attention: Your plan is customized to your unique situation and goals.
- Practical Solutions: We focus on what works in the real world, not just theory.
- Proactive Planning: We help you anticipate and prevent problems before they arise.
- Plain Language: We explain complex legal concepts in terms you can understand.
- Ongoing Support: Estate planning is a process, not a one-time event.
Why Estate Planning Matters
Protect Your Family
Ensure your loved ones are provided for and avoid family conflicts over your assets. Designate guardians for minor children and dependents with special needs.
Preserve Your Assets
Avoid probate costs, protect your assets from creditors and minimize taxes. Ensure your hard-earned wealth goes to your chosen beneficiaries.
Healthcare Decisions
Make your healthcare wishes known through advance directives. Appoint trusted individuals to make medical decisions if you're unable to do so.
Our Estate Planning Process
We've developed a streamlined, client-friendly process to make creating your estate plan as simple and stress-free as possible.
The Life and Legacy Education Session
Our process begins with a free educational session where we help you understand your options and the importance of estate planning.
This no-pressure conversation allows you to:
- Learn about different estate planning tools and strategies
- Discuss your specific concerns and goals
- Understand our process and pricing
- Ask any questions you have about estate planning
- Make an informed choice
This session typically lasts 60-90 minutes and can be conducted in person or virtually.
Choose Your Path
After your education session, you'll decide which plan path is right for you:
- Always Documents: Essential documents everyone needs including healthcare power of attorney, living will, HIPAA authorizations, and general durable power of attorney
- Quick Plan: An efficient solution using streamlined features, including all core documents plus either a Quick Will (for estates without real estate) or Quick Trust (for estates with one real property)
- Will-Based Plan: Suitable for simple estates without real estate succession complexity, including asset distribution provisions, executor nominations, and basic tax planning
- Trust-Based Plan: Recommended for real estate owners and families seeking probate avoidance, including a revocable living trust, pour-over will, and transfer deed for primary residence
- Tax-Planning Trust Plan: Advanced options including QTIP or A/B separate trust analysis and irrevocable trust options
We respect your timeline and will never pressure you to make a decision before you're ready.
Plan Design
If you choose to move forward, we'll schedule a design session to create the blueprint for your estate plan:
- More homework, we have a planning workbook to help guide the process
- We'll discuss your family structure, assets, and goals in detail
- Together, we'll determine which tools (wills, trusts, etc.) are appropriate for your situation
- We'll address specific concerns such as minor children, blended families, or beneficiaries with special needs
Information Confirmation - CIMI
Accuracy is critical in estate planning. Our Confirm, Inventory, Modify, and Inform (CIMI) process ensures your plan is built on solid information:
- Confirm: We'll verify all the information gathered during your design session
- Inventory: We'll create a comprehensive inventory of your assets
- Modify: You'll have the opportunity to make any necessary adjustments
- Inform: We'll explain how your plan will address your specific goals
This step helps prevent errors and ensures your plan truly reflects your wishes.
Drafting
Using the confirmed information, our attorneys will draft your customized estate planning documents:
- Each document is tailored to your specific situation
- We use clear, understandable language whenever possible
- All documents comply with Colorado law and best practices
- We complete most drafting within 1-2 weeks of your CIMI session
Signing Ceremony
Once your documents are prepared, we'll schedule a signing ceremony:
- We'll review each document with you to ensure you understand its purpose
- All documents will be properly executed according to legal requirements
- We'll serve as witnesses and provide notary services as needed
- Since we like to create multiple originals of most documents, the signing typically takes about an hour and can be scheduled at your convenience
Delivery and Training
After your signing ceremony, we'll prepare your final document package. Once everything is ready, we'll schedule a delivery and training session where:
- You'll receive organized physical and digital copies of all documents
- We'll explain how to properly store your documents
- You'll learn how to communicate your plan to relevant family members and healthcare providers
- If you haven't chosen our Plan Funding option, we'll provide guidance on any necessary asset retitling or beneficiary designations
Maintenance
Estate planning is an ongoing process, not a one-time event:
- We recommend reviewing your estate plan at least every 3 years or after major life events
- We offer annual check-in options to ensure your plan remains current
- Our team is available to answer questions as they arise
- Subscribe to our newsletter for updates when legal changes affect your estate plan
This ongoing relationship helps ensure your estate plan continues to serve your needs as your life evolves.
Some Estate Planning Tools We Offer
Wills
A will is the foundation of many estate plans. It allows you to:
- Name beneficiaries for your assets
- Designate guardians for minor children
- Appoint an executor to manage your estate
- Provide instructions for asset distribution
Trusts
Trusts offer additional benefits beyond wills:
- Avoid probate and maintain privacy
- Provide for minor children or beneficiaries with special needs
- Control asset distribution over time
- Can be joint plans for both spouses
Specialized Trusts
We offer specialized trusts for specific situations:
- Gun Trusts for firearm owners
- Special Needs Trusts for beneficiaries with disabilities
- Pet Trusts for beloved animal companions
- Spendthrift Trusts for beneficiaries who need protection from creditors and predators
Concierge Trust Funding
Creating a trust is useless unless you put something in it. We offer:
- Complete asset transfer management, eliminating the frustration of DIY trust funding
- Professional handling of complex property titles, financial accounts, and investment transfers
- Regular progress updates throughout the transfer process to keep you informed
- Peace of mind knowing your trust is properly funded and will work as intended when needed
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Protect Your Legacy?
Schedule your Life and Legacy Planning Session today and take the first step toward peace of mind.