Probate & Estate Planning Attorney In Colorado Springs
The Law Firm of Tammy W. Akers, LLC was founded in 2008 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Focusing on the law of Estate Planning, Probate, Wills & Trusts, and Family, the experts at Akers Law will treat you and your case with compassion and honesty.
When should I hire an Estate Planning Lawyer? What can an Estate Planning Lawyer do for me?
It is never too soon to hire an Estate Planning Lawyer. If you are an adult who has assets that you would like to pass along to loved ones upon your death, then it is never too early to start creating an estate plan. An Estate Planning Lawyer can work with you to create all documents and directives that might be a part of a comprehensive estate plan.
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When Should I Hire A Family Law Attorney?
Because different attorneys specialize in an array of different areas of law, you might be confused about which type of lawyer you should call on various occasions. family law covers a number of family issues.
- Divorce - The first thing you should do when you consider separation or divorce is speak to an attorney from a Family Law Firm. Divorce is rarely a cut and dry process. Many issues can arise, such as child custody, child support and visitation, and division of property. Hiring an experienced Family Law Attorney will ensure that the divorce goes smoothly.
- Guardianship - Often a parent or parents are not able to adequate care of their children. When this happens, it might be best to select a guardian who can make decisions regarding the child's welfare. A Family Law Attorney will be able to guide you through the legal paperwork and process to appoint the guardian.
- Domestic Abuse - When it has become unsafe to stay with your partner or spouse, a Family Lawyer will help you with the legal procedures to keep you and your children safe from harm.
In addition to assisting with family issues, a Family Law Attorney will also file important family documents and give advice. Documents such as a Power of Attorney are completed by Family Lawyers. They will also help create estate plans and wills, in addition to forming civil unions and domestic partnerships.
If you have a family issue and need advice, an experienced Family Law Attorney at the Law Firm of Tammy W. Akers, LLC will guide you through any of the above processes and so much more. If you live in or near Colorado Springs, CO, call (719) 985-8192 for a consultation.
What Is Included In An Estate Plan?
While an estate plan can range from very simple directives to planning every minute detail of your wishes for your family once you can no longer express them, there are four key elements that should be included in every estate plan. A reputable Estate Planning Law Firm will assist you in revisiting and revising your personalized estate plan throughout your life to reflect any life changes, such as marriage, children, divorce, business partnerships, etc.
- Last Will And Testament - The Will allows you to make clear how you wish for your assets to be distributed after your death.
- Healthcare Power Of Attorney And Living Will - A Healthcare Power of Attorney is a legal document that states who you would like to make your medical decisions in your place should you become unable to do so yourself. A living will gives medical personnel your wishes regarding life support and other life-saving measures should you become incapacitated and unable to speak for yourself.
- Financial Power Of Attorney - The Financial Power of Attorney is a legal document that names the person you would like to make your financial decisions for you should you become incapacitated.
- Establish A Trust - A trust is a legal entity that owns your assets. Those assets are distributed according your wishes stated in the legal documents creating the trust.
Feeling Left Out Of A Loved One’s Will?
Contesting Wills & Estates In Colorado
There’s no doubt that contesting a will or estate can be a complex and emotionally challenging process. Disputes typically arise when a loved one with a large estate—whether in property, finances, or both—passes away, and one family member feels that their inheritance doesn’t reflect the decedent’s true wishes. In many cases, the family member contesting the will is not the primary caregiver and may not be a full-blooded sibling of those who are, adding further strain to an already difficult family dynamic.
At the Law Firm of Tammy W. Akers, LLC, we take on cases where clients are contesting an adjustable claim—meaning there’s a legitimate basis to challenge the distribution of assets. These cases require a careful and detailed examination of the will or estate plan to ensure that it accurately reflects the true intentions of the person who has passed away. However, because every situation is unique, the timeline and outcome can vary depending on the complexity of the claim and the dynamics of the family involved.
How We Can Help
If you believe your inheritance doesn’t match your loved one’s intentions, you need a legal advocate who will carefully review your case and represent your interests with both skill and compassion. With extensive experience in Colorado estate law, Attorney Tammy Akers will guide you through this challenging time, ensuring that your voice is heard and your concerns are addressed. Our firm is committed to helping you navigate the road ahead with the insight you need to make informed decisions along the way.
Client Testimonials
“I worked with Ms. Akers on a very contentious divorce case where I sold their home and she represented the husband. I was so impressed with her level headedness, her expertise, and quick response to every kink that came along during this process. And, believe me, she had everything.."
– Jill M.
Review From Avvo“I feel absolutely confident in hiring Mrs Akers for legal representation. I look forward to all of her help in the case I am currently in with her. She is very knowledgeable and her Paralegal is very helpful as well. The sense of comfort I have knowing she's running things is amazing.”
– Gregg
Review From Avvo“I would recommend her to anyone going through divorce child custody.. great communication. Honest listens to concerns. Helped me through the whole process step by step. Made this process understandable. And made it easier to get through”
– Montana
Review From AvvoBlog
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Simple Ways To Avoid Probate
Probate is a lengthy, stressful process, and many people assume they’ll have to deal with the probate process. However, there are ways to avoid probate, especially when you have a probate attorney on your side. Akers… Read More
How Creditors Can Affect Probate In Colorado
How Creditors Can Affect Probate In Colorado Notifying and paying creditors are central parts of the Colorado probate process. In fact, Colorado probate code establishes very specific rules for how and when an estate’s personal representative… Read More
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Frequently Asked Question
For a truly comprehensive estate plan, it’s best to have either a will in place or a trust to clarify what should be done with your assets once you pass away.
A durable power of attorney appoints someone to handle your finances should you become incapacitated. A living will explains your wishes for medical treatment (such as CPR or life support), while a medical power of attorney gives someone the right to act on those healthcare wishes should you be unable to communicate.
Finally, guardianship documents should be in place if you have minor children, to ensure they’ll be placed with someone you know and trust should the unexpected happen.
If your estate plans are not contested, probate could be finished within six months to one year. Having said that, there is no set timeline, as each estate is different.
Should your estate plans be contested or unclear, probate could take years to resolve. For the least complex probate process possible, it’s crucial to partner with an experienced, thorough estate planning attorney.
Documents drawn up with the help of an attorney are less likely to be contested; they’ll contain precise and unambiguous language, will be properly notarized, and will be complete and comprehensive, making a contested, lengthy probate less likely.
The most straightforward way to avoid probate in Colorado is by placing your assets into a revocable living trust, which will allow assets to be passed on to your beneficiaries without having to go through probate. The asset will then legally belong to the trust, though you can update its terms at any time.
Trusts are especially helpful as they can be carefully worded to reflect unique family circumstances, such as dictating that assets should only be released once a beneficiary graduates from college, reaches a certain age, or maintains sobriety.
Some types of assets, such as life insurance policies, won’t require probate at all and can be quickly passed on to named beneficiaries once you pass away.
If you don’t have a will or any estate plans in place in Colorado, your assets will be passed on to close family members according to Colorado law. Depending on who is in your family, assets will be automatically left to your spouse, children, parents, siblings, or a combination thereof.
The problem is that these distribution parameters may not reflect your wishes at all. Perhaps you had actually wanted to leave your assets to a close friend or a charity. Maybe you no longer speak to your children.
This is why tailored estate plans are crucial. Your assets should be left to the people or causes that matter most to you, not simply distributed according to a legal chart. For help making sure your estate plans truly reflect your wishes, key relationships, and values, reach out to the Law Firm of Tammy W. Akers, LLC today.
A: The cost of estate planning services will depend on the types of documents you select and the size of your estate. Planning ahead and gathering documents that relate to your bank accounts, property, and other assets before you speak with an attorney will also help bring costs down.
For more information about payment options and legal fees, please reach out to me at (719) 985-8192. I’ll be happy to discuss any questions or concerns you have about payment and offer guidance on how to keep your estate planning costs down.
How To Find Us?
We’re Always Here To Help You Every Step Of The Way With All Your Probate, Estate Planning & Family Law Needs. Contact Us Today!
Office Location: 18 E Willamette Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Phone: (719) 985-8192
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday (09:00am - 05:00pm)
(Other times by appointment only)
Schedule A Consultation
Fill Out The Contact Form, Or Simply Stop By Our Office. We’re Always Ready And Willing To Answer Your Questions. Contact Us Today!
When Should I Hire A Probate Lawyer?
The estate. Losing a loved one to death is a very stressful and emotional time, and it might help alleviate some of the confusion of probate court if you hire a probate attorney. An experienced Probate Lawyer already knows the process of probate court and can anticipate the next step.If you have questions about whether you need a Probate Lawyer on your side after losing a loved one, it is best to consult with an experienced Probate Law Firm before deciding to navigate the probate process on your own. It could save you time, money, and frustration. If you live in or near Colorado Springs, CO, reach out to an expert in Probate Law at the Law Firm of Tammy W. Akers, LLC.
What Does A Probate Lawyer Do?
A lawyer who works in Probate will guide the estate executor through any and all paths of probate court once their loved one has passed away. How involved the probate attorney is with the case depends on how extensive the assets are, whether an estate plan had been created, and how detailed the estate plan is. Another incident that could impact a probate attorney’s involvement is whether the estate plan is contested by an outside party, which could lead to possible litigation.
In most cases, the probate law firm will handle the daily activities or processes that are required by law during probate. This will take some of the responsibility out of the executor’s hands. Some of the tasks that your Probate Lawyer might carry out are:
- Managing the estate checking account
- Collecting proceeds from life insurance policies
- Identifying and distributing estate assets
- Getting appraisals completed for the decedent’s property
- Helping to determine how to pay bills and debts of the deceased
- Completing and filing all documents required by a probate court
- Determining any and all estate or inheritance taxes that are due and ensuring those debts are paid
- Resolving income tax issues
- Legally transferring assets to the appropriate beneficiaries
- Making a final disbursement of assets to beneficiaries after all bills and taxes have been paid
The above list are the basic Probate Lawyer responsibilities, not an exhaustive list. If you have other issues that you think a Probate Lawyer might be able to assist with, call an experienced Probate Attorney at the Law Firm of Tammy W. Akers, LLC.
