At Jones Law Firm, PC, we help families across Denver and the surrounding Colorado communities handle estate planning with confidence. With 25+ years of experience and more than 3,500 cases behind us, our team brings advocacy and personal attention to every plan we build.
As a Super Lawyers-recognized and AV Preeminent-rated firm, we deliver the strategic depth of a large practice with the responsiveness you deserve.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 12.9% of Denver County residents were 65 or older. Those numbers show that thousands of Colorado families need a plan in place for incapacity, caregiving, and protecting what they have built.
Colorado’s probate process can tie up assets for months without proper planning, and state law provides specific tools like beneficiary deeds and revocable trusts that many families never learn about until it is too late.
Our team takes the guesswork out of estate planning. You will never wonder where things stand. Our Communication Guarantee and secure Client Portal mean you stay informed at every step. As one client shared, “Not a day went by when I did not receive a document, a question, or an answer from them.”
What Is Estate Planning and Why It Matters in Colorado
Estate planning is the process of putting legal and financial documents in place to protect your assets, provide for your loved ones, and make decisions easier if you become incapacitated or pass away. Without a plan in place, Colorado probate courts decide what happens to your property, your finances, and even the care of your children.
A solid estate plan in Colorado typically includes several key documents:
- A last will and testament that directs how your assets are distributed
- A revocable living trust that allows your estate to bypass Colorado’s probate process entirely
- A financial power of attorney that names someone to manage your money if you cannot
- A medical power of attorney that authorizes a trusted person to make healthcare decisions on your behalf
- An advance directive or living will that outlines your end-of-life care preferences
Colorado follows the Uniform Probate Code, which simplifies some aspects of probate. But even a streamlined probate process means delays, court fees, and public records. A properly funded trust avoids all of that.
Estate Planning Services We Offer in Denver
- Prenuptial Agreements
- Wills and Last Testaments
- Revocable and Irrevocable Trusts
- Powers of Attorney
- Advance Healthcare Directives
- Beneficiary Designations
- Asset Protection Planning
- Guardianship Designations for Minor Children
- Probate
Speak With a Trusted Family Law Attorney
For clear guidance through divorce, custody, and family law matters in Colorado, contact Jones Law Firm. Call 303-799-8155 to schedule your confidential consultation.
Why Choose Jones Law Firm for Estate Planning
- Round Table Brain Trust
Your estate plan is never handled by one attorney working alone. Multiple attorneys and staff review your case in collaborative strategy sessions, catching details that a single set of eyes might miss.
- Communication Guarantee
You will never chase your attorney for updates. The team provides proactive communication and secure client portal access so you always know where your plan stands.
- Aggressive Yet Compassionate Advocacy
Estate planning sometimes involves difficult family dynamics and contested interests. The firm brings courtroom-tested confidence to protect your wishes while treating every client with genuine care.
- Recognized Legal Excellence
Lead attorney April Jones holds a Super Lawyers designation (2024-2026), and the firm carries an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell along with an A+ BBB rating. These credentials reflect a standard of practice your family can rely on.
- 25+ Years Serving Colorado Families
Since 2000, the firm has guided families through Colorado-specific estate planning requirements, from compliance with the Colorado Uniform Trust Code to handling probate through Arapahoe, Denver, and Adams County courts.
- Personal Attention at Every Stage
You get the resources of a large firm with the responsiveness of a boutique practice. Your goals drive the strategy, and your questions never go unanswered.
Wills vs. Trusts
Both wills and trusts protect your family, but they work differently under Colorado law.
A will takes effect after death and goes through Colorado probate court. It names who gets your property, who raises your minor children, and who manages the process. It is straightforward and works well for smaller or simpler estates.
A trust takes effect the moment you fund it. It lets your assets pass to beneficiaries without probate, which means faster distribution and more privacy.
In Colorado, where probate can take six months to over a year, avoiding that process saves your family time, stress, and legal fees. Trusts also give you control over how and when beneficiaries receive assets, which matters if you have young children or complicated family dynamics.
Many families benefit from having both. Jones Law Firm helps you evaluate your situation clearly so you choose the right combination for your goals, not a cookie-cutter plan that leaves gaps.
How to Avoid Probate in Colorado
Probate can be slow, expensive, and public. The good news is that Colorado law offers several ways to keep your estate out of probate court entirely, or at least minimize what goes through it.
The most common strategy is a revocable living trust. When you transfer assets into a trust during your lifetime, those assets pass directly to your beneficiaries without court involvement. You maintain full control while you are alive, and your family avoids months of delays after you pass.
Other strategies that bypass probate include:
- Beneficiary designations on retirement accounts, life insurance, and bank accounts
- Transfer-on-death deeds for Colorado real estate
- Joint tenancy with right of survivorship on property or accounts
- Payable-on-death designations on financial accounts
For smaller estates, Colorado offers a simplified path. Under C.R.S. 15-12-1201, an estate made up of personal property with no real estate can be collected by affidavit, without formal probate, if its total value falls under a threshold set by the year of death. That threshold adjusts every year. For deaths in 2026 it is $88,000. Qualifying families can skip formal probate entirely.
About Jones Law Firm, PC
For over 25 years, Jones Law Firm, PC has stood beside Colorado families during some of life’s most challenging moments. Led by Managing Attorney and CEO April D. Jones, the firm brings 250+ years of combined team experience and a track record spanning 3,500+ cases to every client relationship.
April Jones is widely respected across both the legal community and beyond. Her team approaches every case with the same commitment: aggressive advocacy paired with thoughtful, strategic counsel tailored to your unique situation.
If you need a comprehensive estate plan or guidance through a complicated family law matter, no detail gets overlooked.
Your case is never handled in isolation. The firm’s collaborative approach means multiple attorneys and staff review your situation, bringing varied perspectives to protect what matters most to you and your family.
Our Process For Denver Clients
- Free Consultation
You meet with a Client Relationship Specialist for 45 minutes to discuss your goals, family situation, and concerns at no cost.
- Team Assignment and Strategy
We assign your attorney and paralegal team. Your case goes through our Round Table Brain Trust, where multiple legal minds collaborate on the right approach for your estate.
- Document Drafting
Your attorney drafts your wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and any other documents tailored to Colorado law and your specific needs.
- Review Session
We walk through every document with you. You ask questions, request changes, and confirm everything reflects your wishes before anything is finalized.
- Execution and Signing
Documents are properly executed with all required witnesses and notarization under Colorado’s signing requirements.
- Ongoing Support and Updates
Life changes. We stay in touch to make sure your plan keeps up with new laws, family changes, or financial shifts. Your Client Portal gives you secure access to your documents anytime.
Frequently Asked Questions About Estate Planning
Do I really need a will if I don’t own a house or have significant assets?
Yes, a will matters even if your estate feels modest. Without one, Colorado’s intestacy laws dictate who receives your bank accounts, vehicles, personal property, and even digital assets. The court decides, not your family. A will also lets you name a personal representative to handle your affairs and designate guardians for minor children.
Can I write my own will in Colorado, or does it have to be done by a lawyer?
Colorado does recognize holographic (handwritten) wills as long as the material terms and signature are in your handwriting. However, DIY wills frequently fail because of vague language, missing provisions, or conflicts with state law. A single ambiguous sentence can trigger costly probate disputes.
What happens to my assets if I die without an estate plan in Colorado?
Colorado Revised Statutes lay out the intestate succession rules. If you are married with no children, your spouse typically inherits everything. If you have children from another relationship, the distribution splits. Unmarried partners, stepchildren, and close friends receive nothing under intestacy.
How do I keep my family from fighting over my estate after I pass away?
Clear, detailed documents are the best prevention. Vague instructions like “divide everything equally” often create more conflict than they resolve. Naming specific assets to specific beneficiaries, explaining your reasoning in a letter of intent, and choosing a neutral personal representative all reduce friction.
Is a trust worth it if I only have a modest estate in Colorado?
A revocable living trust can benefit even modest estates by avoiding probate entirely, which saves your family time and court fees. In Colorado, probate can take six months to over a year depending on the county. A trust also keeps your affairs private since probate records are public..
What is the difference between a power of attorney and a living will in Colorado?
A power of attorney designates someone to make financial or legal decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. A living will, also called an advance directive, addresses medical treatment preferences when you cannot communicate them yourself. Colorado law treats these as separate documents with different requirements.
How often should I update my estate plan, and what triggers a revision?
Review your plan every three to five years or after any major life event. Marriage, divorce, a new child, a death in the family, significant changes in assets, or moving between states all warrant updates. Colorado law may treat certain provisions differently than the state where your original plan was drafted.
Can I name different guardians for different children in my estate plan?
Yes, Colorado law allows you to designate separate guardians for each child if circumstances warrant it. This sometimes makes sense when children have different needs or when blended families are involved. The court will still evaluate whether the arrangement serves each child’s best interest, but your written preference carries significant weight.
What Clients Say About Working With Jones Law Firm, PC
“She is sharp, quick and strong and we won my case decisively.” – M.K.
Clients consistently describe the courtroom presence at Jones Law Firm as commanding and effective. When you need someone who takes charge, this team delivers results.
“It made a difficult time of life softer while maintaining my dignity.” – B.H.
Family law cases are deeply personal. This feedback reflects the firm’s ability to fight aggressively while still treating clients with genuine care and respect throughout the process.
“April is well prepared and understands the law and court processes well beyond anything I have experienced, ensuring success.” – J.M.
Preparation wins cases. Clients notice the depth of legal knowledge and strategic thinking that goes into every hearing, motion, and negotiation.
“Not a day went by when I did not receive a document, a question, or an answer from them.” – A.A.
The firm’s communication guarantee is not just a promise. Clients experience daily updates, responsive staff, and the confidence that comes from always knowing where their case stands.
“It takes a truly talented firm to represent a father and ensure full custody of his daughter remains intact.” – C.D.
Fathers facing custody battles in Colorado courts need a team with a proven track record. This review speaks to the firm’s dedication to protecting parental rights regardless of gender.
Local Resources in Denver for Estate Planning
- Denver Probate Court – Useful for guardianships, conservatorships, probate filings, and other court matters that often connect to estate plans.
- Denver Probate Court Volunteer Attorney Clinic – Helpful for basic probate and court-process guidance when a family is dealing with filings tied to incapacity or estate administration.
- Denver Clerk and Recorder – Important for recording real estate documents, researching public records, and handling property-related filings that affect estate planning.
- Denver Property Search – Useful for confirming ownership, valuation, tax, and parcel information when planning around a home or other real estate.
- DRCOG Area Agency on Aging – A strong resource for older adults, caregivers, and families who need long-term care planning support, benefits guidance, or referrals that often overlap with estate planning.
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman – Useful when estate planning intersects with nursing home care, resident rights, or concerns about facility treatment of an older adult.
- Denver VA Regional Benefit Office – Helpful when estate planning includes veterans’ benefits, pension issues, survivor benefits, or long-term care planning for veterans.
- Social Security Resources for the Denver Region – Often relevant for retirement income planning, survivor benefits, representative payee issues, and post-death administrative steps.
- Denver Older Adult Resource Guide – A broader city resource that can connect families to aging, caregiving, and support services that often affect estate and incapacity planning decisions.
Get Started With an Estate Planning Lawyer in Denver
Your family’s future deserves a plan, and the right time to start is now. Colorado law gives you powerful tools to protect your loved ones, but only if you use them before a crisis hits.
Call Jones Law Firm, PC today to schedule your free 45-minute consultation. Our team will listen to your goals, answer your questions, and help you take the first step toward real peace of mind.
