At The Law Office of Kevin R. Hancock, we consider POAs foundational documents for every adult in Colorado—whether you’re 18 or 80, married or single, wealthy or just starting out.  Here’s what you need to know about how Powers of Attorney work in Colorado and why having them in place is essential.

What Is a Power of Attorney?

A Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows you (the “principal”) to appoint another person (the “agent”) to make decisions on your behalf. In Colorado, POAs fall into two primary categories:

1. Medical Power of Attorney (MPOA)
2. Financial Power of Attorney (FPOA)

Each one serves a different purpose—and both play a critical role in protecting you and your family.

1. Medical Power of Attorney (MPOA)

A Medical Power of Attorney allows your appointed agent, presumably someone you trust, to make healthcare decisions if you become unable to communicate or make those decisions yourself.  Your medical agent may be responsible for decisions about:

• Treatment options
• Surgeries or procedures
• End-of-life preferences
• Medication or pain management
• Choosing healthcare facilities

Unlike many states, Colorado does not automatically assign your spouse or family member as your agent. Without a valid MPOA, family members may disagree, healthcare providers may have limited guidance, and your family may need to pursue a costly guardianship through the Courts.

Learn more about Powers of Attorney.

2. Financial Power of Attorney

A Financial POA allows your agent to manage your property, financial and legal matters, if you are incapacitated.  This may include:

• Paying bills
• Managing bank accounts
• Filing taxes
• Handling real estate transactions
• Overseeing investments
• Managing insurance or retirement accounts

Without a Financial POA, your family may need to pursue a costly and time-consuming court-appointed conservatorship just to access funds or handle bills on your behalf.

Why Every Adult in Colorado Needs a POA

Most people assume POAs are only for the elderly but emergencies do not discriminate by age. Every adult over the age of 18 should have powers of attorney in place, especially if:

• You live alone
• You travel often
• You have children or dependents
• You own property
• You want someone you trust to handle your medical or financial decisions

Life can change in an instant, and your legal preparation should not wait.

When Does a Colorado POA Go Into Effect and How Long Does It Last?

Power of Attorney documents may be:

• Immediate (meaning they are effective as soon as you sign)
• Springing (meaning they become effective only upon incapacity)
• Durable (meaning they remain in effect even when you are incapacitated)

For medical POAs, these are only ever set up to be springing and durable, which means your agent only has authority to make decisions for you upon you being determined to be incapacitated and their authority to act continues when you are incapacitated.  

For financial POAs, they are typically set up to be immediate and durable between spouses, and thereafter, springing and durable for agents other than a spouse.  

Once a POA is in effect because of incapacity, the POA will last until you regain capacity or until you pass.  All POAs cease to be effective when the principal passes. 

Can You Change or Revoke a POA?

Yes. As long as you have capacity, you may:

• Update
• Replace
• Limit
• Or revoke entirely your existing Power of Attorney.

Regular updates are recommended if:

• Your relationships change
• Your agent moves away
• You marry or divorce
• Your wishes evolve

→ If you’re updating, visit our Estate Planning Services page to get started.

Common Misconceptions About Powers of Attorney

“My spouse can automatically make decisions for me.”

Not in Colorado—POAs are still needed.

“I only need one document.”

You need both a medical and financial POA.

“I’m too young for this.”

Once you turn 18, no one—including parents—can legally speak for you without a POA.

“My will covers that.”

A will directs who gets your probate property when you pass.  It has no effect during your lifetime.  POAs required to protect you while you are alive.

FAQ

What are the two most common types of power of attorney in Colorado?

Medical Power of Attorney and Financial Power of Attorney.

Does a POA need to be notarized in Colorado?

Yes.

Who should I choose as my POA agent?

Someone trustworthy, responsible, and capable of making decisions in your best interest.

Can I name different agents for medical and financial decisions?

Yes, many people do.

Protect Yourself and Your Family with Proper POA Documents

A Power of Attorney is one of the simplest—and most important—steps you can take to protect your future. At The Law Office of Kevin R. Hancock, we walk you through each decision to make sure your documents reflect your wishes clearly and legally.

If you need help creating or updating your POA documents, call us or fill out an online form today. We’re here to help you prepare with confidence.

The post Understanding Powers of Attorney in Colorado: What Every Adult Should Know appeared first on The Law Office of Kevin Hancock.

At The Law Office of Kevin R. Hancock, we encourage all of our clients to review their estate plan at least once a year—or sooner if major life changes occur. Below are the most common questions you should ask yourself to know if it’s time to update your estate plan.

1. Does the distribution of your estate still reflect your wishes and goals?

Estate plans are very rarely static – ideally, they grow, develop, and change throughout your life. The structure of your distribution may change – maybe children show more or less maturity than could have been predicted. Maybe you’ve decided to be more charitably inclined over the years. Maybe your intent has changed and you wish to provide directly for grandchildren. 

Regardless of the types of changes, it is important to review documents to ensure your wishes are still reflected as we don’t expect your wishes to stay the same forever.

2. Do you still have the best people involved?

Your personal representative, trustee, guardian, or powers of attorney must be trustworthy, capable, and available. Over time, relationships change or people move away.

If your chosen agents no longer feel like the right fit, updating your documents ensures your wishes will be carried out by the people you trust most.

→ Read about The TAP Method: Choosing the Right Agents for Your Estate Plan

Further, your children may have grown or your guardian preferences may have changed. Maybe your young children are now adults. Maybe the guardian you originally named no longer feels like the right choice. Revisiting these decisions is an essential part of keeping your plan aligned with your family’s needs.

→ Read our guide: Planning for Minor Children

3. Is the current composition of my estate properly reflected by my estate plan?

Have you experienced a major life change?

Life changes quickly. Significant events that may invoke a change include:

• Marriage or divorce
• Birth or adoption of a child
• Death of a loved one
• A new home purchase or sale
• Starting or selling a business

These events may impact who inherits your estate, who serves as guardian for your children, and who should make financial or medical decisions if you can’t.

→ Consider updating after reading our Estate Planning Services.

Has Your Financial Situation Changed? 

If your wealth has increased, decreased, or shifted significantly, your estate plan should reflect it. This includes:

• New investments
• Property or business changes
• Gifting strategies
• Increased tax exposure

A revised estate plan ensures your assets are protected and distributed according to your goals, but more importantly, especially with trust-based estate plans, we want to ensure that you receive the most value from your estate plan knowing the trust is properly structured and funded.

Changing composition of assets also can affect the structure of an estate plan. It is common that when will-based estate plans made sense originally, a shift in the composition of assets starts to make trust-based estate plans the better tool to use in the situation.

Other considerations:

When reviewing your estate plan, there are additional considerations that are important to keep in mind, whether it is simply a structural matter to get the most value from your estate plan, or a consideration that invokes needing to update the documents.

Has your health status changed? 

If your medical needs or conditions have shifted, it’s important to update your Living Will, Medical Power of Attorney, and HIPAA releases. This ensures your wishes are clear, and the person advocating for your care is someone you trust completely.

Are your beneficiary designations up-to-date?

Even the best-drafted will or trust cannot override beneficiary forms on retirement accounts, life insurance policies, bank accounts with TOD/POD designations, and investment accounts. Have you changed financial institutions since you last looked at your estate plan? If these designations are outdated, your assets may go to unintended recipients—regardless of what your estate planning documents say.

Is your estate plan more than 3–5 years old?

Even if nothing major has changed in your life, federal and Colorado laws evolve, and your estate plan should remain current with best practices.

A regular review ensures your documents remain legally sound and fully aligned with your goals.

Why Updating Your Estate Plan Matters

Keeping your estate plan updated avoids:

• Family disputes
• Probate complications
• Outdated or invalid instructions
• Unintended beneficiaries
• Delays in administering your estate

A fresh review each year keeps everything on track and gives you peace of mind—something we believe everyone deserves.

Need Help Updating Your Estate Plan?

At The Law Office of Kevin R. Hancock, we help Colorado Springs families keep their wills, trusts, and incapacity documents current, clear, and legally strong.If you have questions or believe it may be time to update your documents, call us or fill out an online form today. We’re here to make the process simple, supportive, and stress-free.

The post 3 Signs You Should Update Your Estate Plan appeared first on The Law Office of Kevin Hancock.

1. Revocable Living Trust (Yes, optional, but often necessary and/or very strategic)

A revocable living trust is the Swiss army knife of estate planning. With its many and varied

tools, you can avoid probate, protect assets for your beneficiaries (beyond any kind of protection

you can buy, quite literally), plan for multiple and varied contingencies (alcohol/substance abuse, special needs, etc.) as well as manage and distribute your assets privately. Revocable living trusts are almost always recommended if you:

• Have minor (under 21) children (to avoid Conservatorship)
• Own real estate in multiple States (to avoid probate in all of those States)
• Own a business
• Have a blended family
• Want to protect your assets for your beneficiaries

2. Last Will and Testament

A key component of any estate plan in Colorado is a Last Will and Testament (a “Will”). The primary purpose of any Will is to direct who gets your probate property when you pass. If you

set up just a Will estate plan, then you are either setting up your assets to transfer outside of

probate (via beneficiary deed for real estate and beneficiary designations on accounts), or you are wanting your property and estate to go through probate, for whatever reason. If you set up a

revocable living trust estate plan, then a Will is also included for the purpose of capturing and

transferring any probate assets that got missed (i.e. not transferred to the trust during your

lifetime) to your trust.

3. Durable Financial Power of Attorney

Whether you do a Will estate plan or a revocable living trust estate plan (both for the purpose of planning for the event of death), your estate plan should always include powers of attorney to plan for the event of incapacity. The first document for that purpose is a durable financial power of attorney. Durable means the document is created now and endures even into/past your incapacity. The purpose of the financial power of attorney is to name your agents, whoever you choose (though, usually the same people, same order as your personal representative or Trustee), to manage your property and finances in the even you are incapacitated to they can:

• Pay your bills
• Access your bank accounts
• Manage real estate or investments
• File taxes on your behalf

Without a durable financial power of attorney, your loved ones may need to go to court to obtain

a conservatorship over you if you are incapacitated, which is costly, time-consuming as well as

requiring court oversight and annual reporting to the court.

4. Medical Power of Attorney

The second document you need for purposes of planning for incapacity is a medical power or

attorney. In a medical power of attorney in Colorado, you appoint your agent, again whoever

you trust and choose, to make healthcare decisions for you if you are unable to do so yourself

due to injury and/or illness.

Without a medical power of attorney, your loved ones may need to go to court to obtain a

guardianship over you if you are incapacitated, which is also costly, time-consuming as well as

requiring court oversight and annual reporting to the court.

5. Living Will (a/k/a Advance Directive)

The third document you need for purposes of planning for incapacity is a Living Will (also

known as an Advance Directive). The purpose of the Living Will is to direct the removal of life

sustaining procedures (as defined by Colorado law) in the event you are incapacitated and

determined by two doctors to be in a “persistent vegetative state” or “terminal condition” (also as

defined by Colorado law). The Living Will allows you to direct:

• How long you wish to remain on life sustaining procedures, if at all
• When to remove artificial nutrition and hydration after other life sustaining procedures are removed
• Whether you want resuscitative measures during that time (e.g. CPR, mechanical respiration, antibiotics, maximum pain relief)
• Whether you want your wishes to prevail or give your medical powers of attorney authority to override
• Whether you wish to be an organ and/or tissue donor

A Living Will is a gift to your family because it takes the burden off your family to make those

very difficult decisions often in a crisis.

6. HIPAA Authorization Form

While HIPAA Waivers are generally provided for and/or are included in a revocable living trust,

as well as medical and financial powers of attorney, you should always include a stand alone

HIPAA waiver, just in case, as part of a complete estate plan in Colorado. The purpose of the

HIPAA waiver is to give your Trustee and/or agents under your powers of attorney legal access to your medical records so they can communicate with your doctors about determining

incapacity and make informed medical decisions for you.

Bottom Line

Estate planning in Colorado is not just about planning for death and incapacity – it is about living

with peace of mind. When you have these documents in place, you no longer need to worry

about what will happen if something happens to you. That is peace of mind.

If you are looking for peace of mind, let us at The Law Office of Kevin R. Hancock, LLC, help

you create an estate plan and experience that provides exactly that. Schedule a call today and

start checking off your estate planning checklist.

The post Essential Estate Planning Documents Every Colorado Resident Needs appeared first on The Law Office of Kevin Hancock.

A Personal Representative and a Trustee are not merely titles. The individuals you choose to fill these roles will hold significant legal and financial responsibilities, acting as fiduciaries to manage and distribute your assets according to your instructions. Selecting the right person (or institution) is crucial for ensuring your legacy is handled correctly, smoothly and exactly as you intend, minimizing stress for your loved ones and providing peace of mind to you.

At The Law Office of Kevin R. Hancock, we emphasize the profound importance of choosing the right decision makers in your estate planning.

Understanding the Roles: Executor vs. Trustee

While both roles involve managing assets and following your directives, they operate within different legal frameworks:

• Personal Representative: A Personal Representative is appointed by you in your Last Will and Testament (a/k/a Will), but they have no formal authority to act unless and/or until a Court appoints them in probate. A Personal Representative’s primary duty is to manage your estate through the probate process after your death, including identifying assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing remaining assets to your heirs as specified in your Will.

Trustee: If you create a revocable living trust, you will typically be appointing yourself as the Trustee to manage your own assets during your lifetime. You will also need to designate a successor Trustee who steps in upon your incapacity or death. The successor Trustee’s role is to manage the assets held within the trust, distribute them according to the trust’s terms, and manage the trust for beneficiaries, all outside of probate court. Their authority begins immediately upon your incapacity or death, as specified in the trust document.

Key Qualities to Look for When Choosing

Selecting an Executor or Trustee requires careful consideration of several characteristics:

1. Trustworthiness and Integrity: This is paramount because they will have access to all your financial information and control your assets during incapacity and when you pass. Choose someone you trust implicitly.
2. Responsibility and Organization: These roles require meticulous record-keeping, adherence to legal timelines, and careful management of funds. The individual should be detail-oriented and capable of handling administrative tasks.
3. Financial Acumen: While they don’t need to be a financial expert, they should have a basic understanding of financial matters, be able to work with advisors (like attorneys and accountants), and manage a budget.
4. Availability and Willingness: The role can be time-consuming. Ensure the person you choose is willing to take on the responsibility and has the time to dedicate to it. Discuss it with them beforehand!
5. Emotional Stability (during a difficult time): They will be managing your estate during a period of grief for your family. Choose someone who can remain calm, objective, and level-headed.
6. Geographic Proximity (Optional but helpful): While not strictly necessary, having an Executor or Trustee who lives relatively close can sometimes simplify practical matters.

No Conflicts of Interest: Avoid naming someone who stands to gain disproportionately from your estate in a way that could conflict with their fiduciary duties to all beneficiaries.

Who Should You Consider – And Who to Avoid?

• Family Members: Often, family members and/or friends are the first choice as Personal Representative or Trustee, but you must consider whether they possess the necessary qualities. A family member might be trusted, but are they organized? Can they handle potentially volatile family dynamics without bias?
• Professional Fiduciaries/Corporate Trustee: For complex estates, significant assets, or if you do not have a suitable family member, a professional fiduciary or a corporate trustee (i.e. a bank, investment company with a trust department, etc.) may serve as an impartial, experienced Trustee. But, you should be aware most corporate trustees will not act as personal representatives. While they charge fees, their expertise can be invaluable.
• People to Avoid: Individuals with a history of financial mismanagement, substance abuse, severe health issues, or those prone to family disputes. Also, avoid naming someone without discussing it with them first!

The Importance of Successor Appointments

While you are not required to name a second/successor Personal Representative or Trustee to the first one you name, we always recommend naming at least two just in case your first choice predeceases you, becomes incapacitated, or simply declines the role. Having backup(s) ensures your plan will be executed and maintains your peace of mind.

Don’t Make This Decision Alone

Choosing your Executor or Trustee is one of the most critical decisions in your estate plan because it impacts how smoothly your wishes are carried out and how much stress your loved ones will face. The attorneys at The Law Office of Kevin R. Hancock can help you evaluate potential candidates, understand the full scope of responsibilities for each role under Colorado law, and ensure your choices are clearly documented in your will and/or trust. We’re here to provide the insights you need to make the best decisions for your legacy and your peace of mind.

Ensure your estate plan is in the right hands. Contact The Law Office of Kevin Hancock today for a consultation to discuss your Executor and Trustee choices.

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Regardless of the structure of your estate plan (Will-based or Trust-based), one of the most important decisions you must make is to select the agents to make decisions for you during incapacity or in the event of death.  However, selecting agents is also often the most difficult decisions you have to make. 

“TAP” Your Agents. Selecting agents is difficult enough, so as part of our process, we have come up with a three-step analysis for selecting not only who should appear in your documents, but in which order they should appear.

1. Trustworthiness. Trustworthiness is always step one and is key. Things like financial aptitude could be hired into a situation, but trustworthiness can never be hired in. For most people, this is where the list of several hundred people you know gets narrowed down very quickly to who you actually trust.
2. Aptitude. Once we have the list narrowed down to those trusted individuals, then we start to consider, who would actually be good at the job and do they have the bandwidth to do the work? We consider everyone’s talents and time.  Perhaps, a sibling is good with money, a cousin is a nurse, and trusted friends have similar values and would make ideal guardians. 
3. Proximity. In today’s age of technology, most important positions can be accomplished over a long distance, whether that includes administering an estate, or communicating with doctors regarding treatment. However, all things equal, boots on the ground often make things easier. As such, proximity to you is typically what we use to place agents in order, but that is not always dispositive or outcome determinative to selecting agents. When the best person for the job is four states away, then we use that person regardless if the second or third best person is here in town.

Types of Agents. In estate planning, “agent” is an umbrella term that refers to individuals chosen to act on your behalf. While the roles may vary, we approach each category with the same analysis. Generally, agents fall into three key categories: financial, medical, and guardianship.

• Financial agents may include those named in a Durable Financial Power of Attorney, Personal Representatives in a Will, or successor Trustees in a trust.
• Medical agents are appointed through a Medical Durable Power of Attorney to make healthcare decisions if you’re unable to.
• Guardians are named in a Will to care for minor children, offering a court clear direction on your wishes.

Planning for Yesterday. In the estate planning process, we always ask “what if something happened to you yesterday?” While that’s our starting point, most estate planning documents are flexible and evolve over time. Young adults often begin by naming parents as agents. As life progresses—through marriage, deepened friendships, or raising children—documents are frequently updated to reflect those changes. The goal is to ensure your estate plan always aligns with your current life circumstances.

Backups, Please! While only one agent is legally required, we strongly recommend naming two, or preferably three backups. This ensures you maintain control and flexibility, even if your primary agent is unavailable. Though it’s often tempting to create a long list, we’ve found that three well-considered backups strike the right balance between preparedness and simplicity.

We are here to help at The Law Office of Kevin R. Hancock.  Our attorneys help you achieve peace of mind through crafting an estate plan that works best for your family, your property, and your circumstances. Selecting agents is complex with many considerations and legal requirements, and our attorneys are here to take the estate planning journey with you and walk you through the process.

The post The TAP Method: Choosing the Right Agents for Your Estate Plan appeared first on The Law Office of Kevin Hancock.

When Should You Revisit Your Estate Plan?

You should review your estate plan every 3–5 years, or sooner if any of the following occur:

• Marriage or divorce
  
• Birth or adoption of a child
  
• Death of a named decision maker in your documents, other family member or beneficiary
  
• New real estate or business ownership
  
• Move to or from Colorado
  
• Changes in tax laws or estate planning regulations

An outdated estate plan can create confusion, lead to unintended consequences, including unintended or missed distributions, and even invalidate certain legal decisions. Keeping your plan up to date ensures your assets go to the right people and minimizes family conflict.

What Should You Review?

• Your will and any trusts 
• Powers of attorney and healthcare directives
  
• Beneficiary designations (life insurance, retirement accounts, etc.)
  
• Guardianship appointments for minor children

If you need to updated your Estate Plan, please reach out to our team at The Law Office of Kevin Hancock. We’re here to help you every step of the way

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1. Record Any Deeds

If you set up a revocable living trust as part of your estate plan, the next critical step is transferring your probate property into your trust. One of the main advantages of a revocable living trust is to avoid probate for your assets when you pass away. Typically, your home or other real estate is your primary probate asset. Ensure the deed is filed and recorded with the clerk and recorder’s office to transfer the title of your property into your trust.

If you opted for a Will and signed a beneficiary deed to transfer your home to your beneficiaries upon your passing, you must also ensure this deed is promptly filed and recorded with the clerk and recorder. Proper recording is key to protecting your intentions.

2. Update Beneficiary Designations

Whether you created a will or a revocable living trust, you’ll likely need to update the beneficiary designations on your bank accounts, retirement accounts, and life insurance policies. This step is easy to overlook because it can be time-consuming, but it’s vital for ensuring your assets are distributed according to your wishes. At The Law Office of Kevin R. Hancock, we emphasize the importance of updating these details as part of the estate planning process.

3. Inform Your Appointed Representatives

Make sure you inform the individuals you’ve named in your trust, will, and powers of attorney. It may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how often people find out they have been appointed only after an emergency occurs. Communicating your decisions in advance helps your loved ones prepare and reduces confusion during critical moments.

4. Secure Your Documents

Once your documents are finalized (including originals, copies, and electronic versions), ensure they are stored securely to prevent damage or loss. A safe, safe deposit box, or even a freezer can be effective places for protecting these documents. Yes, a freezer can work well as a temporary storage solution! Keeping your estate planning documents safe ensures they are accessible when needed.

5. Create and Include Your Digital Asset List

In today’s digital age, it’s crucial to include your digital assets in your estate planning. Your digital assets may include computers, phones, tablets, documents, pictures, videos, email accounts, and other online accounts or apps. Your digital asset list should have two parts:

1. A list of your devices and their passcodes.
2. A list of your online accounts, usernames, and passwords.

If you already use a password manager or an online spreadsheet to manage your passwords, you can simply provide your family or appointed agents with access to that resource. This step helps your loved ones manage your digital life in your absence.

Congratulations on Securing Your Family’s Future!

By thinking and planning ahead, you’ve taken a significant step toward ensuring your family’s well-being. At The Law Office of Kevin R. Hancock in Colorado Springs, we’re here to assist you every step of the way. If you need help recording deeds, updating beneficiary designations, or creating a digital asset list, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Your proactive efforts today will make a lasting difference for your loved ones in the future.

Contact The Law Office of Kevin R. Hancock in Colorado Springs for expert guidance on managing your estate plan. Your family will thank you for the peace of mind you’ve created.

The post Completed Your Estate Planning in Colorado Springs? Here’s What to Do Next appeared first on The Law Office of Kevin Hancock.

More Than Just Immediate Relief

It’s a relief when that compensation check finally arrives. It’s a tangible testament to the ordeal you’ve been through, and it’s meant to cover your immediate needs: medical bills, therapy sessions, lost wages, and the like. But there’s a broader perspective to consider. This compensation, especially when substantial, isn’t just about the present. It extends to how you plan for your and your family’s future.

Your Estate and Compensation

Having a hefty compensation might seem like a straightforward financial blessing. Yet, without proper estate strategy adjustments, you might find yourself or your heirs facing unexpected pitfalls down the road.

Updating Wills and Trusts: Perhaps you drafted a will years ago, when your financial landscape looked quite different. Now, with this new addition to your assets, it’s prudent to revisit and adjust.

Navigating Tax Nuances: A significant compensation can bring along tax implications. An informed estate strategy can help lessen the tax blow, preserving more for you and your beneficiaries.

Safeguarding Against Future Claims: Compensation from personal injury might be generally safe from prying creditors. Still, integrating this money wisely into your estate can fortify its defenses even more.

When Professionals Step In

You wouldn’t trust just anyone with your health post-injury. Similarly, trusting professionals with the nuances of your compensation and estate is essential. This is where expertise makes a difference. A personal injury lawyer ensures that you get fair compensation post-accident. When it comes to weaving that compensation seamlessly into your estate, the advice of an estate planning lawyer becomes indispensable.

Beyond the Injury

Injuries often come with a mixed bag of emotions: relief at recovery, gratitude for the unwavering support from loved ones, and trepidation for the future, especially when contemplating long-term effects or lifestyle changes. Your compensation, in such scenarios, doesn’t merely serve as a financial cushion for immediate concerns like medical bills or lost wages. It also acts as a catalyst, prompting deeper consideration of your future and how you wish to shape it. Integrating this compensation smartly into your estate doesn’t only reflect foresight but also ensures that, from a financial perspective, the road ahead is mapped out, smooth, and well-planned.

Confronting personal injuries means navigating a myriad of challenges, both immediate and those lurking on the horizon. While compensation is indeed a mechanism to alleviate pressing burdens, its significance goes beyond just the present. Its long-term implications and potential to shape one’s future, especially when strategically planned, cannot be overlooked. Embracing proper planning, making informed decisions with clarity, and leaning on the guidance of seasoned professionals can convert today’s compensation into a robust foundation for tomorrow, ensuring it’s more than just a momentary relief but a lasting legacy.

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“Fear is a four-letter word, gentlemen!”
– Calhoun from “Wreck-It Ralph”

FEAR – Future Events Appear Real. I love that acronym because in moments of fear it helps me realize the worst things I imagine are only that – my imagination. And, when I realize the worst thing I have imagined only appears real, I can more easily slide past the emotion of fear and move on with life. Because, for the most part, the worst things I imagine rarely ever happen.

There is, however, one future event I know will happen, someday – I will die. That event does not just appear real it is real for me, as well as for everyone else in the world. The only unknown in that future event is how. But, regardless of how it happens, it will happen, and the only thing I can do about it is prepare and, in the meantime, live!

“Every man dies, but not every man ever truly lives.”
– William Wallace from “Braveheart”

Ironically, the vast majority of people do little or nothing (legally, spiritually, and/or physically) to prepare for death. According to the AARP, sixty percent (60%) of Americans do not have a will. Why? The fear of death. Yet, when asked, most people fear not living even more. One thing that prevents people from truly living is not knowing what will happen to their family if something happened to them. And, that’s why I love my what I do – I get to help people live by providing peace of mind.

As an estate planning attorney, my job (i.e. the day to day work) is pretty simple – I listen to people talk about their wishes concerning death and dying; I counsel them about the legal aspects (in Colorado) of death and dying; and I draft the appropriate documents (i.e. wills, trusts, powers of attorney, etc.) to reflect their wishes. That’s the end-product most people think about when it comes to estate planning – the documents.

The real end-product is not just a set of inked papers. Rather, when people complete their estate plans, they leave my office visibly lighter than when they arrived because they know and have planned what will happen if/when something happens to them. You see estate planning leads to knowing, and knowing leads to peace of mind (i.e. the opposite of fear). Peace of mind weighs nothing, is priceless, and is what allows people to truly live.

So, if you fear death, do not worry, for you are among friends! But, if you are letting that fear stop you from doing your own estate planning, then make an appointment with me so I can help you live!

The post Why People Delay Getting Their Estate Planning Done – Part 1 appeared first on The Law Office of Kevin Hancock.