The Attributes of a Personal Representative for Your Estate
By: Timothy P. Bryntesen, Esq. Attorneys are often asked about the required qualities of the person to put “in charge” of a client’s estate after they die. The Personal Representative (also known as the Executor or Administrator) of an estate plays a crucial role in managing the administration of a deceased person’s estate. The Personal […]
Revocable Living Trusts: What They Do (And What They Don’t)
By Jessica L. Miglarese, Esq. When many people hear the word “trust” or “trust fund”, they envision a tool used by the ultra-wealthy to protect assets, minimize taxes, and provide for future generations. While it is true that certain types of trusts offer these benefits to the trust creator (“Settlor”) while living, these trusts are […]
Otis & Bedingfield, LLC Wins ColoradoBiz’s 2024 Business Choice Award – Best Law Firm for Estate Planning
Otis & Bedingfield, LLC’s estate planning practice encompasses the drafting of wills and trust documents, enhancing asset protection and planning for special needs of a spouse, child, or grandchild, as well as the tax planning required to develop a comprehensive estate plan. The more complex area of this practice involves the use of family limited […]
The Need for Estate Planning
By: Corey W. Moore, Esq. June 4, 2024 Estate planning is not just for the wealthy or elderly; it is a vital task that every adult individual should undertake. At its core, estate planning involves making arrangements for the management and distribution of one’s assets and belongings in the event of incapacity or death. While […]
Probate 101
By: Timothy P. Brynteson, Esq. April 4, 2024 Estate planning attorneys are frequently asked by clients to explain the difference between a “will” and a “trust”. This question is normally asked in the context of planning for the disposition of assets upon a client’s death, so the assumption is that clients are looking for information […]
Taking Advantage of the Estate and Gift Tax Exemption
By: Corey W. Moore, Esq. November 1, 2023 The United States Internal Revenue Code, Subtitle B–Estate and Gift Taxes, provides every taxpayer with the ability to exempt a certain amount of assets from their estate. The Estate and Gift Tax Exemption (“Exemption”) for a single individual in 2023 is $12.92 million, meaning an individual could […]
Simplest Estate Planning
By Jeffrey T. Bedingfield, Esq. Have you ever wondered if there is a simple way to pass assets at death? Maybe for that elderly parent with few remaining assets? Well, there is. It certainly isn’t appropriate for all, but it can work well in the right situation. First, assets that name beneficiaries (IRA’s, life insurance, […]
Revocable Living Trusts for Second Homes
By Timothy P. Brynteson, Esq. Many residents of Colorado own real estate in other states. If you own a condo, townhome or other piece of real estate in such popular destinations as Florida, Arizona or California, you may want to consider holding the property in a Revocable Living Trust located here in Colorado. While many […]
Adverse Possession: Losing the Farm Without Even Knowing It
By Lia Szasz Did you know that, under Colorado statute, someone can obtain title to your land without paying for it? Under the doctrine of adverse possession, if someone uses your land continuously for 18 years, it may become theirs. This doctrine became famous when a retired judge in Boulder obtained title to part of […]
Is Your Property Titled Correctly?
By Timothy P. Brynteson, Esq. Most couples assume that if one them dies, their home or other real estate will pass automatically to their spouse. Normally couples own their home or other real estate “jointly” – in other words they own it together, or both of their names are on the title. While this is […]
