Colorado's premier probate specialists.

What is Probate?

The probate process comes into play when a family member or loved one passes away. It’s the judicial process of determining the validity of the will they left behind or settling estate matters should there be an absence of a will.

In a probate process, an individual, called the executor, will be appointed by the court to manage the estate of the deceased. The appointed executor will take charge of making the deceased’s last wishes happen and transfer their assets to the named beneficiaries. Usually, the executor is the surviving spouse or an adult child of the deceased.

Absent a will, the estate of the deceased will be distributed according to the laws of the State, in this case, Colorado. The court will administer the distribution according to law.

The probate process is a very complex one that can be difficult to navigate. Anyone who is in the process of or planning their estate, as well as those who have recently suffered the loss of a family member, need to be aware of the probate process, what their rights are, and what to expect.

Do I Need a Probate Lawyer?

Having a probate lawyer helping you plan your estate or execute your deceased family member’s will guarantee that the probate process will be handled properly and remain as smooth as possible.

Because of its complexity and sensitivity, it is easy for a probate case to get quite confusing. A knowledgeable attorney’s assistance can help iron out the wrinkles and swiftly and effectively overcome the process.

What is the Purpose of Probate?

The probate process is important to help manage the financial affairs and assets of a deceased person. It exists to ensure that their properties and assets are properly distributed to the intended parties without fraud or complications. This smoothes the process of passing estates down to the descendants and beneficiaries.

Probate also helps ensure that all financial affairs that involve the deceased are settled. This includes the payment of outstanding debts that were left behind, taxes, and the like. It’s a very detailed, involved, and complex process to make sure that the estate goes into the right hands and is properly managed and distributed.

After the deceased’s obligations have been met and the remaining amounts have been distributed to the intended heirs, or those set forth by law should a will be absent, the probate is deemed closed.

Why Choose Burnham Law?

With over 200 years of combined experience, our attorneys provide the highest level of excellence and innovation in client representation, giving clients a strong advantage from the outset.

Probate is a specialized area of law and we have specialists that focus exclusively on probate. We provide tremendous value for our clients. We are experts in the field and we handle it better than anyone else. Hire our professionals to do this right.