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Colorado Prenuptial Agreement

Colorado Prenuptial Agreement A Colorado prenuptial agreement allows couples to agree in advance about how property is to be split upon divorce. Without a Colorado prenuptial agreement, the Colorado courts decide how property will be divided upon divorce. Colorado is a separate property state. In a separate property state, property is typically “owned” by the […]

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Stand Alone Retirement Account Trusts

I have been drafting estate plans for about twenty years. For about twenty years, I have successfully avoided making trusts the beneficiary of retirement accounts, save for a few occasions. However, recent federal court cases stripping the asset protection benefits of inherited Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) have put an end to that streak. Protecting retirement accounts from a beneficiary’s creditors requires a stand-alone retirement account trust.

The (Dreaded) Estate Planning Questionnaire And Why It Is So Important

Short answer: It’s about the money. Little longer answer: The estate planning questionnaire tells your estate planning attorney what type of plan may be best for you and can save many hours in attorney time upon your death.

Deceased Spouse Estate Tax Exemption Portability (DSUEA) – Friend or Foe?

Along with other temporary estate and gift tax changes in 2011 and 2012, Congress made a deceased spouse’s unused estate tax exemption portable. At first glance, this sounds like a good thing. However, most married couples would be better off just pretending that this so-called benefit doesn’t exist. Here is why.

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Custodial Account Or Trust? Which Is Best For Children?

At least once a year we get a frantic call from a parent with a slightly out of control minor or adult child. The question from the parent is, “Can the child get at the money in the custodial account”? The answer is usually a simple yes or no, but it underscores a more important question. How should parents make cash gifts to children? The answer is pretty easy. Use an irrevocable trust and not a 2503(c) or minors trust.

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Twelve Common Misconceptions About The Colorado Probate Process

[Misconception #12] Our office routinely handles the same questions or misconceptions about the Colorado probate process. Twelve of the most common Colorado probate misconceptions are listed in this 12 part series…

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Twelve Common Misconceptions About The Colorado Probate Process

[Misconception #11] Our office routinely handles the same questions or misconceptions about the Colorado probate process. Twelve of the most common Colorado probate misconceptions are listed in this 12 part series…

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Twelve Common Misconceptions About The Colorado Probate Process

[Misconception #10] Our office routinely handles the same questions or misconceptions about the Colorado probate process. Twelve of the most common Colorado probate misconceptions are listed in this 12 part series…

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Twelve Common Misconceptions About The Colorado Probate Process

[Misconception #9] Our office routinely handles the same questions or misconceptions about the Colorado probate process. Twelve of the most common Colorado probate misconceptions are listed in this 12 part series…

Wills And Children From Prior Relationships

Everybody knows they should have a will, but is it really necessary? The answer is pretty easy if there are children involved from a prior relationship. The answer is a definite yes. Here is why.