Estate planning
Protect your family’s legacyDecide now, so your family never has to guess.
Estate planning is not only for the wealthy. It is for anyone who wants to decide who raises their children, who makes medical and financial decisions if they cannot, and who receives what they have worked for. Without a plan, Colorado law makes many of those decisions for you, and your family may face probate, delay, and conflict at the hardest possible time.
At Trust Johnson Law, we approach estate planning the way we approach every matter: prepared. We have seen how disputes start, often from vague documents, outdated beneficiary designations, or a trust that was signed but never funded. So we build plans that close those gaps, explain every document in plain language, and keep your plan current as your life changes.
What a plan does
Control, protection, and clarityA plan that works when your family needs it.
Control
You decide how assets are distributed, who serves as guardian for minor children, and who manages your affairs.
Protection
Trusts and careful titling can help avoid probate, protect beneficiaries, and reduce avoidable risk.
Clarity
Clear documents give loved ones a roadmap and fewer unanswered questions during a difficult time.
Our estate planning services
The core tools, built around your life
Wills
A will directs how your property is distributed, names a personal representative to handle your estate, and lets you nominate a guardian for minor children. A will generally goes through probate. See wills and trusts.
Trusts
A revocable living trust can help your family avoid probate, keep matters private, and provide a smooth handoff if you become incapacitated. Irrevocable trusts and special needs trusts serve more specific goals, such as protecting assets or preserving a loved one’s benefits. Not sure which you need? Read Will vs. Trust in Colorado.
Powers of attorney and advance directives
If illness or injury leaves you unable to act, someone needs legal authority to pay bills, manage accounts, and make medical decisions. Durable financial and medical powers of attorney, along with a living will, put the right people in charge and make your wishes known.
Gun and NFA trusts
Firearms, especially items regulated under the National Firearms Act, need their own planning. A gun trust can set out who may lawfully possess firearms and how they pass to the next generation. Explore gun trusts, NFA gun trusts, suppressor trusts, family gun trusts, and firearm estate planning.
Asset protection and business owners
Business owners and families with significant assets need planning that addresses risk and continuity, not just distribution. See asset protection, estate planning for business owners, and business succession planning.
Probate and estate administration
When a loved one passes away, the personal representative may need to open a probate case, notify creditors and heirs, and distribute property under court rules. We guide families through what is required and help reduce delay and conflict. If you have questions about a specific estate, call us to talk through where to start.
Who needs a plan
More people than you might think
- You own a home or other real estate
- You have minor children or a family member with special needs
- You own a business or have business partners
- You have retirement accounts, life insurance, or investments
- You own firearms or NFA items
- You are a servicemember, veteran, or military spouse
Veterans and military families face unique planning issues. See estate planning for veterans, estate planning for military families, and the Veterans & Military hub.
Avoid common gaps
Where good intentions break down
- Relying on online templates that do not fit Colorado law or your family
- Signing a trust but never funding it with your assets
- Beneficiary designations that contradict the rest of the plan
- Not updating documents after marriage, divorce, a new child, or a move
- Leaving business interests and firearms out of the plan
We recommend reviewing your plan every few years and after any major life change. Our articles on reviewing your plan after major life changes and signs your aging parents need a power of attorney can help you decide when.
FAQ
Common questionsStraight answers about your situation.
How much does estate planning cost in Colorado?
Cost depends on the complexity of your family, assets, and goals. We discuss scope and fees during your free consultation so there are no surprises.
Do I need a trust or just a will?
It depends on your assets, your privacy and probate concerns, and your family. Many people use both. We explain the trade-offs and recommend what fits.
What happens if I die without a will in Colorado?
Colorado’s intestacy laws decide who inherits, and a court may decide who serves as guardian for minor children. The result may not match what you would have chosen.
How often should I update my estate plan?
Review it every few years and after major life events such as marriage, divorce, a birth, a death in the family, a move, or a new business.
Do you help with probate?
Yes. We help personal representatives and families understand what probate requires and work through the process.
Don’t see your question? Call (720) 334-7305 for a free consultation.
Keep reading
Related servicesWhere to go next.
Wills and Trusts Attorney in Colorado
Wills, trusts, and powers of attorney for Colorado families.
Living Trust Attorney in Colorado
Revocable living trusts that avoid probate and protect privacy.
Gun Trusts in Colorado
How gun trusts work in Colorado and when one makes sense.
Asset Protection Attorney in Colorado
Lawful planning that protects savings, property, and business assets.
Estate Planning for Veterans in Colorado
Plans that coordinate VA benefits, property, and firearms.
Will vs. Trust in Colorado
How wills and trusts compare, and how to choose.
Free Consultation
Free Consultation
Tell us what is happening. We will listen, explain your options in plain language, and give you a clear next step. Your consultation is free and confidential.
This page provides general information about Colorado law, not legal advice for your situation. Every case is different, and past experience does not guarantee a particular outcome.