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Probate & Trust Attorneys in Arvada, CO: Probate Litigation & Trust Lawyer Services

Probate and trust related litigation refers to the legal proceedings used to resolve disputes between or among beneficiaries, heirs, devisees, creditors, trustees, executors, personal representatives, administrators, guardians, or conservators, typically after the death of a decedent. will and trust attorney play a vital role in managing and distributing assets after death for residents of Arvada, CO. Probate is the legal process of validating a deceased person's will, settling debts, and distributing remaining assets to beneficiaries under court supervision. Probate litigation attorneys at McFarland & Lord LCC in Arvada, CO specialize in resolving disputes that may arise during this process, ensuring fair distribution of assets. Trust lawyers assist clients in Arvada, CO in establishing trusts to hold and manage assets during their lifetime and distribute them to designated beneficiaries upon death, bypassing the probate process.

Protect Your Legacy With Our Probate and Trust Attorneys in Arvada, CO

McFarland & Lord LLC offers probate and trust services tailored to clients' needs in Arvada, CO. Our probate administration services guide clients through the legal process of validating wills, settling debts, and distributing assets to beneficiaries. Trust administration services ensure that trusts are managed effectively during the grantor's lifetime and distributed according to their wishes after death, providing a seamless alternative to probate. Our probate litigation attorney helps finalize all financial and legal matters, ensuring a smooth transition of assets to heirs. With the expertise of our trust lawyers and wills and trusts attorneys, clients in Arvada, CO can navigate complex legal matters easily.

Estate Administration and Trust Services in Arvada, CO

With the assistance of a trust lawyer in Arvada, CO, clients can establish trusts tailored to their specific needs and goals, protecting assets and minimizing tax liabilities. Wills and trusts attorneys at our law firm help clients create comprehensive estate plans, including wills and trusts, to provide for their loved ones and ensure their wishes are carried out effectively in Arvada, CO. Also, our probate litigation attorneys specialize in resolving disputes that may arise during the probate process, protecting the interests of beneficiaries, and ensuring fair distribution of assets.

What People are Saying...

“My wife recently passed away, and I have three teenage daughters. Not having an estate plan was a big worry to me and kept me up at night. Gabe and Kim made the process very easy and stress-free. Gabe listened to what I wanted, brought up scenarios that I hadn't thought about, and then tailored an estate plan exactly as I expressed it to him. Hopefully, I will live a very long time, but now I have the peace of mind that my girls will be taken care of in the way that I have decided.”

-Lyle

“Prior to departing this earthly plane, it is important, as daunting as it may be, to have one's financial and personal affairs in order. Gabe McFarland's estate planning experience, knowledge, and ability to explain the estate planning components in layman's terms provided me with the confidence to successfully achieve my estate planning goals. I highly recommend Gabe and his office assistant Kim Schmad, as they both are competent and approachable.”

-Alaya

“Gabe is a careful listener and an intuitive person. He quickly understood our concerns such that he was able to design a new set of documents that perfectly translated our wishes into an updated estate plan. We are now very comfortable knowing that every contingency has been anticipated. We came away entirely confident that we are in good hands, and that he will be available to us for any future needs. We are so grateful for Gabe's expert and friendly help.”

-Doug and Rita

“I am 90 years young. I recently moved to Colorado and needed to revise my estate plan. After a thorough search, I found Gabe McFarland in Berthoud. Throughout the estate planning process, the consultations with Gabe were clear and understandable. He converted all of my desires into the legal terms needed for my will-based trust to be implemented for its future purpose. I highly recommend Gabe regarding any estate planning needs.”

-Helen

“After my husband passed away, I was bereft and grieving while raising our daughter, and I needed help making sense of everything. Gabe McFarland provided legal expertise AND emotional support, especially with matters I did not understand. What I did very clearly understand was that my family's well-being was dependent upon them. Gabe McFarland has provided my family with security when we needed it most, and we will be forever grateful.”

-Erica

FAQ

  • What happens if someone dies without a will in Colorado?

    If you die without a will, or intestate, the administration of your estate typically requires oversight by the probate courts, which will designate beneficiaries and distribute your assets, pursuant to Colorado law. Colorado's intestacy laws assume that you would want your assets to pass first to your spouse and children. But, it can become complicated if you have a blended family, for example. Colorado law contains very specific terms to provide amounts to the surviving spouse or to children from a current or prior partner. If you do not have children or a surviving spouse, generally your assets would be inherited first by parents, if living, and then siblings and other relatives. The way to ensure that your desires are known and followed is by creating an estate plan-which may use wills, trusts, or both-with the help of an experienced attorney like Gabe McFarland. If you are a personal representative of someone who died without a will, you may find yourself facing a myriad of confusing financial and legal situations. Gabe has over 30 years of comprehensive legal experience that allows him to guide you through it, giving you peace of mind throughout the process and in years to come, knowing that it was settled properly.

  • I've been named a personal representative...what does that mean?

    In Colorado, a personal representative, known in some states as an executor or administrator, is the individual chosen to administer the estate of a deceased person. If the deceased person, or decedent, had a will, they may have nominated a personal representative in the document. If the decedent died without a will, the process to be appointed as personal representative is governed by Colorado law. A personal representative carries out the wishes of the decedent regarding distribution of their assets and completes the administration of the estate, and assets are distributed either according to the terms of the will, or by Colorado law. A personal representative may be responsible for a wide range of tasks in a relatively short period of time. They can be faced with making funeral arrangements, securing death certificates, notifying heirs, gathering and transferring assets, and paying bills and taxes, among other duties. If you are a personal representative, working with an experienced probate attorney like Gabe McFarland can significantly lessen your load and alleviate the stress of the situation. Gabe uses a unique seven-step estate settlement program to make the administrative process as simple, painless, efficient, and cost-effective as possible. We are here to help.

  • What are the responsibilites of a trustee?

    A trustee invokes great responsibility and importance. In addition to carrying out the instructions in the trust agreement, trustees are usually responsible for managing, preserving, and administering someone else's assets for the benefit of the named beneficiaries. Trust agreements generally provide the trustee with guidelines related to the scope and duration of their authority, how assets are to be managed and distributed, and when and how to work with the beneficiaries. While direction may be provided to the trustee, trust agreements can often be complicated and may even have ambiguous or conflicting terms. Under Colorado law, a trustee is deemed to be a fiduciary, and as such, held to a very high standard, so it is important to work with a skilled trust settlement attorney to help you through all the steps of the administration process.

  • What if an estate settlement is contested or conflicts arise?

    Most estate/trust administrations are uncontested. And, we can and often do prevent legal complications by developing practical solutions to difficult problems. Some disagreements, however, cannot be resolved amicably. That is when Gabe's decades of litigation experience is invaluable.

Seamless Legal Services that Protect Your Business and Personal Interests

McFarland & Lord LLC is a solution focused law firm in Arvada, CO that specializes in providing customized estate planning services, skilled trust administration and probate guidance, and a trusted partner to help navigate the treacherous waters often associated with litigation. Gabe McFarland, one of the founding members of McFarland & Lord, has practiced law for three decades. He has been a Colorado Super Lawyer (reserved for the top 5% of lawyers), has received the highest ratings in the Martindale Hubbell AV Rating, and AVVO Superb Attorney Rating. When representing clients in Arvada, CO , we offer thoughtful advice and guidance, prioritizing your best interests at all times.

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