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As I drive around the Denver Metro Area, I see the bumper stickers that say “Native” on them. I have also seen variations that say “Not Native, But I Got Here As Quick As I Can,” or “Almost Native.” I fall into the “Not a Native, But I Got Here As Quick As I Can” category. I was born in Portland, Oregon, and I lived there with my family for … [Read more...]
What is the Difference Between a Living Trust and a Revocable Trust?
When I was 19 years old, I left the United States and went to live in Russia for two years as a missionary for my church. Over the course of my two years of service as a missionary, I learned to speak Russian. I used to think I was fluent in Russian, but my definition of fluent has changed over time. There are a lot of topics and words that I … [Read more...]
Didn’t You Get The Memo? Leaving Specific Gifts for Specific People in Your Estate Plan
It’s December, and many of us are thinking about giving gifts. I have started asking my children what they want as gifts for Christmas presents, and they are thinking about it. Even harder than that, I am trying to figure out what to ask for as a Christmas present for myself. I tend to purchase what I need or want as the need comes up, so when … [Read more...]
Do I Need An Estate Plan, Will, Or Trust?
I refer to myself as an estate planning attorney, and I prepare estate plans. Oftentimes I will be asked what that means, and I explain that I help people prepare their will, trust, financial power of attorney, medical power of attorney, living will, or other documents related to the end of life. People either understand my further explanation, … [Read more...]
At Home or Virtual: The Benefits of Getting Your Estate Plan Done From Home
I have seen a lot of movies set in the future, where video calls were the preferred method of communication, and apparently that was amazingly cool. In “Back to the Future II” the character Marty McFly (Played by Michael J. Fox) was on a video call with his boss, and then was fired by fax. Apparently this was the futuristic way to communicate in … [Read more...]
Wills vs. Trusts Compared Side by Side (My 100th Blog)
The most common question that I get in my law practice is what is the difference between a will and a trust? I really do wish the question is simple and easy, and perhaps someday I will be able to come up with a satisfying answer that only takes a minute or two. In my experience, the answer to this question can be quite complex, as you can see … [Read more...]
Can You Have Both A Will And A Trust? In Colorado, Yes You Can!
Whenever someone asks me if they need a will or a trust, I tell them that the answer depends on their circumstances. I then offer to discuss their life circumstances during my free hour long consultation to determine what options would fit their needs. Many clients are surprised to learn that even if they set up a trust, they also need a … [Read more...]
