Littleton Divorce Law Blog

Divorce often results in radical changes in many different areas of your life. The average person can expect their living situation to change, as well as their financial situation. Those are just the most common issues, but there are many other transitions and changes that often take place during and immediately after a divorce in Colorado.

With so much going on, people often overlook important considerations that are not officially part of the divorce process. Your estate plan is a perfect example. Far too many people simply overlook adjusting their estate plan during a divorce. They are so focused on the end of their marriage that they overlook this critical area where adjustments and changes should occur to reflect their new life situation.

You and your spouse have two children under five years old. As you move toward divorce, you worry about the potential impact for the kids. How will it make them feel? How will they adjust?

You do not worry so much about losing the relationship yourself. You can deal with that. You just do not want the kids to suffer.

If you've spent your life building up valuable assets, you probably have strong opinions about what happens to them after you die. After all, bequeathing those assets to loved ones, family and even charitable organizations can be a way to build a lasting legacy after you pass on. Unfortunately, even if you take the time to carefully plan your estate and create a last will, your family members and heirs can challenge your plan and drag your estate through probate court.

There's no reason why you simply have to accept that a will challenge could change your legacy. If you have reason to believe that your heirs or family members may fight over your assets or disagree with the terms of your will, you can take steps now to reduce that risk.

When a loved one dies, the last thing you want to do is focus on money and possessions. Grieving the loss of a family member or spouse may even prevent you from handling practical matters, like bills and other financial concerns. However, over time, you may notice that something simply isn't right as far as the administration of the estate.

For many people, a carefully crafted estate plan is their final legacy, a way to give back to their loved ones, closest friends and even charities. When you believe that the person charged with handling the estate has failed to uphold the responsibilities of the position or if there's cause to worry about undue influence on the final estate plan, it may be time to consider contesting the estate.