The S. M. Moran Law Office, P.C. can help those who have lost a loved one navigate through the probate process. Not every client will need to file for probate. We can help you determine in a free thirty (30) minute consultation if probate will need to be opened.

Probate in Colorado is not as scary as it sounds but we can help make it even easier for the family. Probate is the process of filing with the Court to settle the deceased persons debts and distributing their assets in accordance with their wishes (a will, if written) or according to Colorado law. It is devastating to lose a loved one, and we work hard to take the stress of probate off of you so that you can grieve the loss of your loved one without having to stress over the probate process, which can complicate the grieving process.

Our goal is always to assist with integrity and compassion to make the process as stress-free as possible.

Resolution of estates valued under approximately $65,000.00

Since probate is not always required, Colorado has also designated the small estate administration to allow for the resolution of estates valued under approximately $65,000.00 (this changes with inflation, contact our office for the current value) and with no real estate to be addressed. If this describes your situation, we can help you with this simple filing to be able to resolve the small estate quickly.

When probate is required

If probate is required, probate in Colorado has both a formal and informal process. The Colorado Probate Code provides both paths to allow those without conflicts or competing claims to proceed in the informal process. The formal process provides for the Court to assist more in resolving the conflicts and competing claims. The first step is choosing which of these paths the estate will take. Our office can assist in making this determination with a free thirty (30) minute consultation.

After we determine the best way to proceed, we file with the Court to open the probate and for the appointment of the personal representative or administrator. This role is typically provided for in the will or the Colorado Statutes provide for the order of priority for who is typically best suited to handle the administration of the estate. We work closely with personal representative to adhere to the specific powers and duties outlined in the Colorado Probate Code and to ensure all of their questions are answered in the process.

If you need assistance in filing or resolving an estate, filing a probate, please contact us immediately as 720-460-1476.

Trust Administration

Have you recently become the trustee of your parent’s or someone else’s trust?

Administering a trust requires some expert guidance and legal counsel to ensure it is completed correctly. When you act as a trustee, there are legal requirements and laws which you must adhere to in order to avoid possible legal repercussions. S. M. Moran Law Office, P.C. can ensure that you have the correct legal filings done and that the trust is administered correctly.

Unfortunately, at times, trust administration runs into complaints against the trustee for a failure to act, or actions which are to the benefit of the trustee and not the benefit of the beneficiary. We can assist in claims against the trustee or in assisting a trustee to ensure that they act in the best interest of the trust to avoid claims against the trustee.

If you have questions on your next steps as trustee or how to correctly administer the trust, please contact our office immediately at 720-460-1476.