When you lose a loved one, you want to carry out their final wishes and lay their memory to rest as soon as possible. Unfortunately, any challenges to the will can lengthen this already difficult process. Colorado is seeing a dramatic increase in the probate filings...
Probate
Colorado law dictates who will inherit in the absence of a will
Some people in Colorado may intend to execute a will someday, but simply never get around to it. Other people may put off executing an estate plan because they don't want to think about their own death. Whatever the reason, people in Colorado sometimes die without...
Don’t let the probate process overwhelm you
The term probate may be confusing to some in Colorado, while others may have a very negative opinion of it. Probate is simply the process through which the deceased's assets are gathered, creditors are paid and then what remains is passed on per the terms of the...
What are the duties of a personal representative in Colorado?
In both informal and formal probate proceedings in Colorado, if a person does not designate a personal representative in their will, the court will assign someone to this role. Personal representatives have many duties regarding the winding up of the decedent's...
Does every estate need to go through the formal probate process?
Many people in Colorado may have heard of the term "probate" and they may envision it to be a long, complicated process. However, there are actually three types of estate administration processes here: those involving small estates, those involving uncontested...
Probate does not have to be overwhelming
People in Colorado may have heard of the term "probate" and may not have a very favorable impression of it. Some people choose to take measures to avoid probate through estate planning, in order to save their loved ones' time and preserve their estate. However, with...
Are Coloradans responsible for the debts of a deceased loved one?
In today's economy, many people in Colorado carry some form of debt. For example, they may have a mortgage, an auto loan or a credit card account. When a person who has debts passes away, the question who is responsible for paying back these debts arises?The...
Are there ways to bypass the probate process?
Many Coloradans may wish to avoid having their estate go through probate upon their death. After all, the probate process takes time and costs money, thus diminishing the value of their estate. However, there are certain ways property can be passed on to your loved...
What are the duties of a personal representative in Colorado?
When a person in Colorado dies, any assets that are not placed in a trust, do not have a designated beneficiary and are owned solely by the deceased must go through the probate process. When this happens, a personal representative will be assigned by the court. This...
Don’t try to handle the probate process alone
If a person in Colorado dies without having a will or trust in place, this is known as dying "intestate." When this happens, the Colorado Probate Code will dictate who will inherit the deceased's assets. This is done through the probate process.Many people may have...