Probate Law in Colorado Springs, CO
What Is a Probate Law?
A probate is a legal process that determines the validity and administration of a last will. When an individual leaves behind assets, the court appoints an executor (if one is not named in the will). In either case, the appointed official collects all remaining assets, pays off any remaining liabilities, and disperses the remaining assets to beneficiaries listed in the will or to beneficiaries designated by the executor (if no will is present), all according to Colorado Springs, Colorado probate law.
How Does Colorado Springs, Colorado Probate Law and the Probate Process Work?
Locating the Will
The first step is determining whether a will even exists. In most cases, the decedent leaves clear direction regarding the location of the last will and testament or files one with a primary attorney. However, sometimes people have to go digging for one. In other cases, there is no will and the Colorado Springs court-appointed executor must handle all assets.
It is also possible that the deceased created a living trust instead. A living trust is a document that places all assets into a trust and transfer to a designated trustee upon death. Living trusts do not require any probation or courts. For this reason, many parties elect to go this route for the sake of convenience and avoiding drawn-out Colorado Springs, CO court battles.
The El Paso County Judicial Building may serve as the location to handle legal hearings related to probate. This Colorado Springs court also has the authority to adjudicate disputes over conservatorships or other matters.
Notifying the Court
Notifying the court to open the estate is the next step. The Colorado Springs, Colorado probate law court clerk can handle this step unless there is a named executor.
After the court receives notification, a scheduled hearing takes place. This officiates the executor appointee and grants him or her legal authority to operate on behalf of the last will.
If there is no will and no designated executor, the court chooses the executor. Making this selection differs from state to state, but generally, the surviving spouse is first in line. After that, any adult children, parents, or siblings receive consideration.
Consolidating Assets
The executor must identify the decedent’s remaining assets. To do this, she or he reviews any related banking or financial documents and any other personal documents that could lead them toward recovering assets. Some examples of documents to collect are insurance records, titles, stock portfolios, and tax returns or filings.
To freeze and later close accounts, the executor must notify any financial institutions with outstanding accounts of the individual’s death in Colorado Springs. If there are any physical valuables in the decedent’s property, it is not uncommon for the executor to collect these items to prevent theft or damage.
The executor then determines the valuation of each item of the estate. This can be a lengthy process depending on the ease of locating all assets, including real estate, stocks, bonds, etc. Notifying creditors is the next step.
Notifying Creditors
The executor of an estate is responsible for notifying creditors so they can file claims for any outstanding debts. Creditors are given a specific timeframe to submit claims, which varies based on state law.
In Colorado Springs, creditors typically have up to one year to file claims against an estate. The personal representative must then review and respond to these claims within 30 days, ensuring all valid debts are addressed according to legal requirements.
Squaring Away Final Payments
The executor pays any funeral expenses (unless the family covers them) and any debts or taxes from the estate. The executor determines which creditor claims are accurate. From there, the executor squares away any outstanding debts to clear the estate of all obligations before being dispersed according to the will.
Proceeding With the Court
After valuing all the decedent’s assets and paying all outstanding debts, the executor submits a report detailing all estate spending to the Colorado Springs, Colorado courts. At this point, a judge reviews the materials. Assuming everything was done correctly, they render a decision to clear the executor to move forward with the final step.
Executing the Last Will and Testament
At this point, the executor disperses the assets to the designated beneficiaries laid out in the will. Depending on how detailed the will is, this could either be a simple process or it may divide the remaining family. A Colorado Springs probate law attorney can help you or a loved one avoid these costly mistakes and counsel you on the best course in the event of a family estate battle.
An estate with a will and without disputes may not require a complicated legal process. A relevant party can file an Application for conservatorships Informal Probate of a Will with the county court. Probate in Colorado Springs may require the following types of activities before closing the estate:
- Swearing an oath to faithfully serve the process
- Contacting a local newspaper to publish a notice to creditors
- Administering an inventory of the estate
- Paying debts to creditors
- Completing and filing taxes
- Ensuring the accurate distribution of assets according to a judge’s orders
If there is no last will and testament, the executor assigns beneficiaries by Colorado state laws. Generally speaking, the surviving spouse is first in line to receive any remaining assets. After that, the decedent’s children come next. Any surviving siblings would be next. From there, the executor works down through the surviving family based on their direct relationship.
Is Probate Law Necessary?
No. There are alternatives to probating a will, but this depends on the circumstances surrounding the decedent. For example, the deceased may have established a living trust that circumvents the probate process. The individual may have not owned any assets, thus simplifying the Colorado process.
Colorado Statutes say that an estate worth less than $50,000 does not have to go through probate. If the decedent has more than this amount in assets, the probate process starts right away.
What Are the Differences Between a Living Trust and a Will?
Living trusts are a way to avoid probation. However, this is one of the primary differences between a living trust and a will. Another main difference is that a living trust is only as good as the assets therein. This means that if you pass away without funding the trust with your assets, it is practically worthless. On the other hand, you do not have to fund a will, as you merely choose where to transfer your assets upon your death.
Setting up where your assets go after you die is an important decision. This is why you should consult with a Colorado Springs probate law attorney to make the correct decision.
Work With an Experienced Local Probate Law Attorney in Colorado Springs, Colorado
Probate law attorneys assist with valuing your total assets and can provide insight into what the best move would be for you. Are you in need of a Colorado Springs probate law attorney who can help you and preserve the future of your family? We can even help you connect with an attorney across Colorado state lines.
Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced probate law lawyer in your area!
About the Author
Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.
With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.
Want to know more about a different area of Colorado Springs law? We have you covered.