Probate & Trust Attorneys in Littleton, 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 Littleton, 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 Littleton, CO specialize in resolving disputes that may arise during this process, ensuring fair distribution of assets. Trust lawyers assist clients in Littleton, 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 Littleton, CO
McFarland & Lord LLC offers probate and trust services tailored to clients' needs in Littleton, 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 Littleton, CO can navigate complex legal matters easily.
Estate Administration and Trust Services in Littleton, CO
With the assistance of a trust lawyer in Littleton, 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 Littleton, 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...
FAQ
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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