Becoming a Client of JW Weaver Law

Understanding the Three P’s of Estate Planning

#1 – People

Who are the Important People in your life? Beginning with yourself, they also likely include your loved ones: your spouse if you are married, children and grandchildren if you have any, perhaps your parents, siblings or other relatives. Beyond these, however, "Important People" also could include business associates, employees, charities, special causes, colleges or universities, or churches to which you are committed. For some, "Important People" could even include pets. Spend some time thinking about the impact others have had on your life. Make a list and jot notes if you like. This is where the planning process truly begins.

#2 – Property

By Property we mean your assets in general, whether owned personally or through a business. Make a list of the assets you own or control. At this point, you do not need to identify insurance policy numbers and exact dollar values. Rather think through your assets in terms of their nature (cash, stocks, bonds, real estate, etc.); their value in thousands of dollars; and your ownership interest: Do you own assets in your name only, in joint tenancy with someone else, or through a trust agreement, business entity, or some other arrangement? Be sure to include often-overlooked assets like life insurance (the death benefit, not the cash value), business interests, and any inheritance you may expect to receive.

#3 – Plans

After identifying the Important People in your life and your Property, the next step is to consider the plans you would make for those people (including yourself) and that Property in the event of your own incapacity or death.

Who would you name to make decisions for you if you could no longer do so yourself? Would the same person handle your finances and your personal and health care decisions? Who would care for your minor children? How would you distribute your assets to your heirs? Would you prefer to spare your heirs the potential cost and hassles of the probate process? Would you like to minimize the impact of estate taxes... or maximize the impact of a charitable bequest? Is there someone in your family with special needs for whom you would like to provide? Is there someone who perhaps should not receive a great deal of (or any) money without some outside oversight? Do you have a good Business Succession Plan in place?

These are just a few of the issues to consider when approaching the planning process. They are much more important than the "treasure hunt" for legal documents at this stage.

When You Are Ready

We offer an initial half-hour conference at no charge to allow you time to become acquainted with us and let you decide if you would like us to represent you based upon the procedures, fees, and costs which we will discuss with you at the time of our initial office conference.

When you are ready to schedule a consultation, please call or complete the Request a Complimentary Consultation form and we will give you a call to schedule. Also, go ahead and download any of the following forms that are relevant to your needs:

• Client Information for General Matters - Couples
• Client Information for General Matters - Singles
• Business Matters
• General Estate Planning
• Probate
• Real Estate Sales

Denver Attorney Jack Weaver with the Colorado Estate Planning Law firm JW Weaver Law assists clients with Estate Planning, Wills, Trusts, Revocable Living Trusts, Colorado Probate and Estate Administration, Business Succession Planning and Real Estate Services in the greater Denver metropolitan area including Centennial, Englewood, Greenwood Village, Littleton, Lone Tree, Parker, South Denver and throughout Arapahoe County, Douglas County and Jefferson County Colorado.

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