People in Colorado may have executed a written will that meets all the necessary legal formalities, including being witnessed and signed by the appropriate number of individuals. However, not everyone takes this essential step. Sometimes, a person hand-writes a will...
Wills
Three holographic wills uncovered in late music legend’s home
Music fans in Colorado Springs may remember the death of music legend Aretha Franklin last August. At the time of her death, it seemed that Franklin passed away without executing a will. However, three holographic wills were recently uncovered in her home. These wills...
Can you disinherit your spouse in your will?
Relationships between spouses in Colorado can be interesting, to say the least. Some are very traditional, while others could be described as unconventional. The same can be said when it comes to estate planning and your spouse. Many people want to include provisions...
On what grounds might a person contest a will?
Losing a loved one is never easy. Learning that your loved one left behind a will may initially be a source of comfort. However, this relief may soon be extinguished if an heir believes that the will was improperly executed or should otherwise be invalidated. However,...
What are some common clauses included in wills?
When a person in Colorado wishes to create an estate plan, oftentimes the first document they execute is a will. In general, a will can be divided into four parts, with each part having several main clauses. We will review these clauses, but as always, readers should...
Are “no-contest” clauses enforceable in Colorado?
Personal relationships between spouses or between parents and children can be complicated. Sometimes, for a variety of reasons, a person in our state may wish to make sure their final wishes are honored by their spouse or child by inserting a "no-contest" cause in...
Executing a will can bring peace of mind, among other benefits
Many people in Colorado find the idea of death to be unpleasant or even frightening. For this reason, they may not put much thought into what will happen after they die, and specifically, they may put off executing a will. However, there are many advantages to having...
Wills can be typewritten, holographic or nuncupative
Many people in Colorado may have seen people in movies or on television reciting, "I, being of sound mind and body..." to execute their last will and testament. However, in general, there are three types of wills that a person could execute: typewritten and witnessed...
Wills in Colorado must be executed with the proper formalities
People in Colorado Springs may have seen scenes in movies or on television where a dying person makes a will, often with the phrase, "I, being of sound mind and body ..." However, these portrayals of executing a will aren't always accurate. First, an adult of any age...
What assets cannot be included in one’s will?
No one in Colorado Springs truly wants to think of their eventual death. However, death is a certainty no matter what a person's age or wealth. Therefore, it is important to plan for what happens to your assets after you die. Many people choose to accomplish this goal...