Colorado Probate Lawyers

Our Probate Attorneys Are Just a Call Away

No one wants to deal with the probate process after a loved one passes away, yet it is a necessary step in many cases. If you are worried about probate or know you need help to prepare for it, take some stress off your shoulders by coming to The Harris Law Firm for all the legal guidance and support you require. Our Colorado probate attorneys can help if a late loved one’s estate is moving through probate or if you are working on your estate plan and want to minimize the chances of your loved ones getting stuck in a complicated probate process after you are gone. In any situation, we are here to answer your questions, protect your best interests, and be your trusted guides.

For more than 30 years, we have helped clients across Colorado in all sorts of estate planning matters. Call (303) 622-5502 if you have any questions or concerns about probate and ask for a no-cost case consultation.

What is Probate?

Probate is the legal process through which a deceased person's estate is administered and distributed. It involves validating the will, if one exists, settling debts, and distributing the remaining assets to the heirs. Although probate might seem intimidating or complicated, it is an important part of estate administration that allows people to honor the wishes of a late loved one and can provide important support to surviving loved ones through inheritances.

What is the Probate Process?

In Colorado, the probate process will usually include these basic steps:

1. Submit the will to probate court: If a will exists, it's submitted to the probate court for validation. If no will is present, the court appoints someone to manage the estate.
2. Appoint personal representative: The will typically names a personal representative, formerly called “executor” to oversee the probate process. .
3. Inventory and appraise assets: The personal representative compiles a complete list of the estate’s assets and obtains appraisals, if necessary, to determine their value.
4. Pay debts and taxes: Outstanding debts and taxes owed by the estate are paid using the estate's funds, so all financial obligations are settled before distributing assets.
5. Distribute remaining assets to beneficiaries: Once debts and taxes are cleared, the remaining assets are distributed to the beneficiaries according to the will's instructions or state law if no will exists.

It’s important to remember that you don’t have to go through the probate process and its steps, which may be more than listed above, on your own. If you are the personal representative or have a valid interest in how the estate is handled, you have the option to speak to an attorney from The Harris Law Firm to get legal guidance and representation for the probate process. We would be happy to help you. 

Ways to Minimize Probate

Are you concerned about your loved ones getting stuck in a prolonged probate process after you pass away due to the value or complexity of your estate? You should know that there are ways to minimize probate through effective estate planning methods, which our Colorado trusts and estate planning attorneys can discuss with you.

Two common strategies to avoid prolonged probate are:

1. Set up trusts: By establishing a trust, you can place your assets in a legal entity that holds them until they are distributed to the beneficiaries. A trust allows the assets in it to bypass the probate process entirely, as trusts are not usually subject to probate court proceedings. Trusts also offer privacy, as they are not public records, and can provide more control over how and when the assets are distributed.
2. Designate beneficiaries: Naming beneficiaries for accounts like life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and payable-on-death bank accounts allows these assets to transfer directly to the designated people or parties upon your death. This direct transfer process can avoid probate in most cases, allowing beneficiaries to access the assets more quickly and without additional legal hurdles.

Contact Us About Your Probate Case Today

Whether you need help navigating the probate process or want to plan your estate to avoid lengthy proceedings that would frustrate your loved ones, we're here to help. Our Colorado probate attorneys have decades of collective experience in estate law and family law, which often overlap, especially in matters involving probate. Trust our experience and knowledge to get you through probate with a hitch.

Reach out today for a free consultation to learn more about probate in Colorado. You can call us at (303) 622-5502 or use an online contact form.