Longmont Estate Planning & Probate — planned with Attorney Liken
Attorney Charles E. Liken Jr. builds practical plans that protect your family, your property, and your wishes — and gives steady guidance when it's time to administer them.
Charles E. Liken Jr., Esq. — On the Legal Front Lines · Former Government Investigator, Denver Human Services · Licensed Colorado Attorney · 20+ Years in Private Practice · Former Colorado Deputy District Attorney · Colorado Court-Appointed Child and Family Investigator
Plans that hold up when they're needed
A good estate plan answers the hard questions before anyone has to ask them. Attorney Liken drafts plans that are clear and matched to Colorado law and to your family's situation, rather than generic templates.
Ready when you are — talk it through with Attorney Liken.
Start here: a no-charge 20-minute phone call directly with Attorney Liken.
For every season of life
New parents naming a guardian, blended families balancing obligations, retirees consolidating decades of assets — your plan should fit your life today and adapt as it changes. Reviews and updates keep it that way.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a will if I do not have much?
A will lets you name who inherits, who serves as personal representative, and — critically for parents — who becomes guardian of your minor children. Without one, Colorado's intestacy statute (C.R.S. § 15-11-101) decides who inherits, which may not match your wishes. Even modest estates benefit from powers of attorney and medical directives.
What is the difference between a will and a trust?
A will takes effect at death and generally passes through probate; a revocable living trust can manage assets during your life and pass them to beneficiaries without probate. Trusts cost more to set up but can save time, expense, and privacy later. Which one fits depends on your assets and goals.
Does my estate have to go through probate in Colorado?
Not always. Small estates under the statutory threshold can transfer by affidavit (C.R.S. § 15-12-1201), and assets with beneficiary designations or joint title pass outside probate. Larger or more complex estates typically use Colorado's informal probate process, which is paperwork-driven when the will is valid and uncontested.
How often should I update my estate plan?
Review it after any major life change — marriage, divorce, a new child or grandchild, a death, a large change in assets, or a move to Colorado from another state — and otherwise every few years. An out-of-date plan can be worse than none at all.
Can you help if a loved one just passed away?
Yes. The firm guides personal representatives through Colorado probate — inventory, creditor notice, taxes, and distribution — in the right order to limit personal liability.
Take the first step. We'll take it from there.
No-charge 20-minute phone consultation directly with Attorney Liken.