Michael Bailey - Author at Michael Bailey Law

Basketball and Estate Planning – Why Perspective Matters

I keep writing about basketball lately. Perhaps I do so because it is high school basketball playoff time, and I am refereeing the playoffs at this time. Or, perhaps it is because the Denver Nuggets are playing at a high level and I enjoy watching the Denver Nuggets play. I can appreciate how the Denver Nuggets are playing basketball as a fan, … [Read more...]

You Need a Good Coach to Succeed in Basketball – and Estate Planning

As I have previously mentioned, I referee high school basketball. As a referee, I see many different types of coaches. Some coaches are constantly yelling at their players, or at the officials. Others call out plays and let the players play the game. Some are quiet the whole time and make me wonder why they are even there. And some like to … [Read more...]

What Do Basketball and Estate Planning Have To Do With Each Other?

I have liked basketball for as long as I can remember. I always liked to play the game, and looked forward to the winter, because that is when basketball was played. I was probably not the best player when I started playing in elementary school, but I did develop my basketball playing skills and abilities, and improved enough that I captained my … [Read more...]

Lessons From a Coffee Mug: You Can’t Fix Stupid in Estate Planning

My website designer / web marketing guru / all things concerning my internet presence person has a coffee mug that says “I’m a Lawyer. I can’t fix stupid, but I can fix what stupid does.” I do think the coffee mug may be a bit overzealous and overly optimistic in that saying. I understand that there are many areas of law where this saying might … [Read more...]

Coloradans: You Deserve To Have Your Estate Planning Questions Answered

In November of 2022, we spent Thanksgiving in Kansas City with friends. We drove out the Saturday prior to the week of Thanksgiving and planned to spend the entire week with our friends. Neither I, nor my wife, planned to work during the week of Thanksgiving. However, the Sunday before Thanksgiving, my wife’s second level supervisor called her … [Read more...]

The Year Is Ending, Not You – Get Your Estate Plan Started Now!

Christmas is upon us…in just two days! Christmas carols and songs (like I wrote about in my last blog post) are still playing, but they are soon to end, and we will then all move on to the New Year’s celebration after Christrmas. Sometimes the holidays seem so fleeting and come and go so quickly. I hope everyone has their shopping done, or you … [Read more...]

Santa Claus is Coming To Town and Other Cautionary Tales for Estate Planning from Christmas Songs

Growing up, we sang a lot of Christmas Carols and a lot of Christmas songs in my family, and in other settings. I liked some of them, and others were not my favorites. For instance, the song “Santa Claus is Comin to Town” contains the following lyrics: “He Sees You When You’re Sleeping. He Knows When You’re Awake. He Knows If You’ve Been Bad … [Read more...]

Supporting Worthy Causes in Your Will or Trust…on Colorado Gives Day

For the past few years, my church has set up “Giving Machines” along the 16th Street Mall in Downtown Denver between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The “Giving Machines” are like vending machines that allow people to purchase items or services for those in need. A person can purchase food for a poor family, or socks, shoes, or other items to be … [Read more...]

Why Your Estate Plan Will Work (in Colorado) Even If Someone Doesn’t Like It

My wife likes to talk about love languages, and how everybody’s love language can be different. Some people want physical affection, while others prefer gifts, and still others want you to spend time with them. I am not nearly as into the differences in love languages as she is, or as some people are, but I did get an interesting, almost … [Read more...]

What to Expect When You’re Expecting and Planning…to Die!

My oldest daughter is currently enrolled in an AP United States history class. She took an AP World history class and enjoyed it quite a lot. This year, her AP United States history class has been a little more difficult for her. She has struggled with reading the textbook and taking notes, which seemed to be one of her favorite parts about her … [Read more...]