Articles Posted in Estate Planning

Many people are passionate about collecting. Whether stamps, coins, or baseball cards, these collections hold both sentimental, and sometimes, monetary value too. Despite this, individuals may be unaware of how to incorporate these valuables into their estate plan—who will receive these prized belongings once they pass away and how to reduce tension in case multiple family members want the collection. Below are tips that Coloradans should incorporate into their estate plan, especially when thinking about family heirlooms or collections.

Decide Whether Items Will be Kept or Converted

Many antiques and collections have sentimental value. However, because of this, individuals may overestimate their monetary value. When crafting an estate plan, individuals should decide if they would like items to be sold after their death—and the money given to a loved one—or if the item should be kept and passed on to someone. Having an estate planning attorney work with an appraiser can help the client to decide whether it is worth it to sell the collection or not.

After making these choices, the individual must then be clear in their estate plan whether they want the item sold or not. Some estate planning attorneys will also recommend explaining the importance of the collection, so the person receiving the item will know its value, whether monetary or sentimental.

Continue Reading

It’s that time of year again: As the snow moves in, another year is on its way out. Although you may find yourself busy with holiday gatherings and the multitude of outdoor activities that Colorado has to offer each winter, it is also an important time to check in on your estate plan.

Here are some of the main areas of estate planning to review in 2021.

Tax Exclusions

The unified tax credit allows people to transfer portions of their estate without incurring federal gift or estate taxes.

Continue Reading

Recent surveys show that fewer than half of all U.S. adults have a will, let alone a complete estate plan. While those in the minority may rest easier at night, they may still forget an important piece of effective estate planning.

Put simply; it is not enough to draft a will and be done with it. Instead, it is essential to review and update your estate plan at least every few years, as well as whenever you experience a major change in life circumstances.

Whether you have a simple will in place or a more comprehensive estate plan, such as planning documents for end-of-life medical care and documents pertaining to the care of your children should they become orphaned, there are several reasons why you should consider reviewing and updating your plan on a regular basis.

Digital assets have necessitated major changes to estate-planning techniques. Once just a small pocket of the market, the now trillion-dollar-plus crypto market has yielded significant wealth for many individuals and families. For these families, the need to safely secure, transfer, and gift this new type of asset is critically important. Evolving estate planning techniques can help families manage their digital assets effectively to ensure they are neither lost nor devalued as they pass to the next generation.

Protecting Crypto Assets from Loss and Theft

Estate planning can help crypto holders keep their digital assets safe and secure. Cryptocurrency can be purchased, sold, and used through the use of a private key, which is essentially a password known primarily to the owner of the digital currency. Because cryptocurrency can be accessed and manipulated through the use of a password, it is vulnerable to both loss and theft. A fiduciary can help crypto holders maintain their private key in a manner that is safer than storing it personally.

Continue Reading

As a homeowner, you undoubtedly work hard to take good care of your property. This includes things like regular maintenance and repairs. But an often overlooked part of being a responsible homeowner is planning for the future of your property after your death. This includes estate planning.

Fortunately, unlike home maintenance and repairs, planning for the future of your home after your death can often be accomplished in a one-and-done fashion. One legal instrument available to Colorado property owners is the transfer on death (TOD) deed. As its name suggests, the TOD deed is a tool that lets someone designate one or more beneficiaries—often a relative or close friend—to obtain the title to their property immediately upon their death.

Importantly, the TOD deed allows the future owner to skip the probate process entirely. In addition, the passing of title to the new homeowner is not considered a gift, meaning that the gift tax should not apply to the transaction.

For many people, discussing end-of-life costs can be uncomfortable and emotionally daunting. However, despite the discomfort, it may elicit, having a secure and legally sound plan can provide individuals and their families with peace and security. Colorado estate planning attorneys can provide families prepare for the costs associated with dying.

There are many steps that individuals can take to ensure that their wishes are known and properly executed when the time comes. An attorney can assist people with creating and modifying wills and other estate documents to address any concerns and head off any potential issues. Many of the issues involve paying for probate proceedings, bank transfers, and funeral costs. Further, after a loved one’s death, there are many institutions and agencies that must be notified. For instance, families should contact an attorney to discuss how to address loose ends regarding insurance proceeds, Social Security, retirement accounts, car loans, mortgages, and credit card debt.

After one dies, a probate court works to validate their will and confirm the appointment of the deceased’s requested executor. The court can work with the parties’ attorneys to identify assets and liabilities and address any tax issues. Further, specific accounts, such as those held as joint tenants with the right of survivorship, may avoid probate proceedings. However, banking institutions may require substantiating documentation. In other situations retitling, accounts and assets may be more challenging and have specific tax implications.