Search

303-494-3000

Home » Estate Planning » Page 2

Clearing Title When Tenant-in-Common Owner Dies

Clearing Title to Real Estate When a Tenant-in-Common Owner Dies Q:  How is title to real estate cleared when someone dies owning property as tenants in common with other owners? A:  Through a probate proceeding. I frequently hear from sellers or real estate brokers when they discover the following closing Requirements on Schedule B-1 of their title … Continue Reading

Special Needs Trust: Farrah Soudani – Fundraising Press Release

Farrah Soudani Irrevocable Special Needs Trust Press Release VOLUNTEER RAISES MORE THAN $150,000 FOR FRIEND’S DAUGHTER, CRITICALLY INJURED IN AURORA SHOOTING Money will help Farrah Soudani pay for her medical expenses and continued care WHAT: A press conference with Farrah’s mother, Heidi Soudani and Farrah’s father, Sam Soudani, to thank University of Colorado Hospital, doctors, … Continue Reading

When Isn’t Probate Necessary?

I recently wrote a piece that discusses the probate administration process and explains why it’s necessary when someone dies. But an estate doesn’t need to be opened for every person who dies. This article examines those situations where a decedent’s property can be transferred to rightful beneficiaries without a probate proceeding. In order to determine … Continue Reading

What is Probate Administration?

What is Probate Administration and Why is it Necessary? In order for someone to give or sell something to someone else, they must have the legal authority to make the transfer. When a person is alive, they have the legal right to transfer something they own because they hold legal title to that property. But … Continue Reading

Federal Estate Tax and Carryover Basis

Federal Estate Tax and Carryover Basis in 2010 – The Unthinkable With its priorities elsewhere last year, the U.S. Congress failed to address a major problem with the 2001 federal estate tax law that may wreak havoc with estates of people who die in 2010. Under the 2001 law, the federal estate and generation-skipping taxes … Continue Reading

Joint Revocable Living Trust

Joint Revocable Living Trusts: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly A revocable living trust is an estate planning tool that basically serves as one’s “alter ego” during lifetime, holding legal title to assets but having no separate tax identity. The creator of the trust, known as the “grantor,” “settlor” or “trustor,” also typically serves … Continue Reading

Determination of Heirs Proceedings

Determination of Heirs Proceedings: Clearing Title in a Decedent’s Unadministered Property When someone dies, their probate assets are typically distributed through a probate proceeding. However, if a probate proceeding is never commenced, or if certain assets are not distributed through probate, those assets remain titled in the name of the decedent. In order for the … Continue Reading

Wills and Advance Directives

Simple Wills and Advance Directives Our firm receives frequent inquires related to the preparation of “simple wills.” Simple wills are sometimes sufficient instruments for clients to direct the disposition of their probate property. However, other clients may need more complex planning tools. This article discusses circumstances for which a simple will may be appropriate, then … Continue Reading

Beneficiary Deed

Co-Author:  Miriam Abrams Goodman, Esq. Question:    What is a “beneficiary deed” and how are they useful in Colorado? Response:   A beneficiary deed is a legal document to pass title to real property to a “grantee-beneficiary” at death, without the need for probate administration. In Colorado, probate can be avoided if the decedent’s estate consists … Continue Reading

Call Now Button