Colorado Estate Planning: The Personal Property Memorandum

As a resident of Colorado, it’s essential to have your affairs in order should something happen to you. This practice of estate planning involves many different steps and will help to save your loved ones a great deal of time and effort when handling things when you are unable to. Most of the time, experts will recommend at least having a will in place so that your assets will be able to be dispersed to people of Read More

What Is the Difference Between a Contested and Uncontested Divorce in Colorado?

If you live in Colorado and are thinking about getting divorced, there are two types of divorce for you to heavily consider. While a multitude of logistics are involved, the process can actually be simple if everyone is on the same page. On the contrary, getting divorced can be a more lengthy process if conflict arises. Your options for a divorce are discussed below, with the pros and cons for both. How Does A Read More

Understanding the Key Responsibilities of a Guardian

Legal guardianship typically arises in cases which revolve around a person with a disability or a child that does not have a suitable parent. In either of these cases, a guardian is appointed and, while this can be an extremely rewarding experience, it is also fraught with responsibilities of which every guardian must be fully cognizant. Generally speaking, the guardian takes the ward under their custody and becomes Read More

Colorado Divorce: Equitable Distribution and The Division of Property and Debts

Colorado is an “equitable distribution” state, which means that in a divorce action, marital property is not necessarily divided equally. Unlike some community property states, where there is an automatic fifty-fifty split, Colorado courts have a certain degree of discretion when it comes to property allocation. In this instance, ‘equitable’ should not be confused with ‘equal.’ A more appropriate interpretation would Read More

What Exactly is “Probate,” Anyway?

Probate is a word that is familiar to many people, but only really understood by a relative few.  The word may be mysterious, but the process that it represents is not. Essentially, probate is the process by which the will of someone who dies is executed and the person’s assets are distributed according to the will. Depending upon the size of the estate, probate may be accomplished by a simple affidavit or it may Read More

Taking the “Step” Out of “Stepparent”

You don’t have to be a birth parent in order to serve as a parental figure in the life of a child. We see this every day in communities all over the country in the form of grandparents, aunts and uncles, mentors, coaches, teachers, older siblings, and yes, stepparents who serve as confidants, providers, disciplinarians, supporters, and so much more.   The role of the stepparent is not always an easy one—to step Read More

Understanding the Difference Between a Conservatorship and a Guardianship

When it comes to making financial, health, and other personal decisions in life, adults are typically going to be capable of handling it on their own. In the event that an adult is unable to make sound decisions, however, someone needs to be put in charge of making these types of decisions. Some adults are never able to make these decisions due to mental disabilities, and others become unable due to accident or Read More