Estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy. It’s for anyone who wants to ensure their legacy is protected, their assets are distributed according to their wishes, and their loved ones are spared unnecessary stress and conflict. An estate planning lawyer is the legal strategist behind that peace of mind—a professional who translates your intentions into ironclad legal documents, while navigating the pitfalls you may not even know exist.
At Lewis & Matthews, P.C., we view estate planning as a deeply personal service. You’re not filling out a form—you’re building a legal structure that will stand long after you’re gone. Here’s what that actually involves.
Drafting the Documents That Define Your Legacy
An estate planning lawyer’s job starts with documents—but not just any documents. These are the instruments that will speak for you when you no longer can:
- A Will designates beneficiaries, names guardians, and instructs how assets should be distributed. Without one, the state decides.
- A Trust can help you avoid probate, reduce tax burdens, and control how and when assets are distributed.
- A Durable Power of Attorney appoints someone to handle your financial affairs if you become incapacitated.
- An Advance Healthcare Directive ensures your medical wishes are honored when you’re unable to speak for yourself.
For a deeper look into these core documents, visit our page on Wills and Trusts and Advanced Directives.
More Than Paperwork: Strategy, Compliance, and Risk Mitigation
Estate planning isn’t just about filling in blanks—it’s about making sure your plan actually works. That’s where legal experience becomes essential. An estate planning attorney ensures your plan complies with Colorado law and remains up to date as your life changes. They also advise on ways to avoid probate, reduce estate taxes, and manage complex family or financial dynamics.
As the American Bar Association explains, lawyers play a vital role in identifying legal vulnerabilities and structuring your plan to withstand future disputes or challenges.
When Estate Planning Requires More Sophistication
While every adult should have a basic estate plan, some clients need more advanced strategies. A skilled attorney can help you:
- Set up irrevocable or special needs trusts
- Design charitable giving vehicles
- Coordinate business succession planning
If you’re a small business owner or entrepreneur, integrating your company into your estate plan is crucial. Though not covered in depth here, we explore this in detail in our post on When Should You Update Your Will?.
The Process: From Consultation to Execution
A good estate planning process is collaborative. It begins with a consultation to understand your goals, values, family dynamics, and financial realities. From there, your attorney crafts a plan customized to your situation—not just a boilerplate solution.
Once documents are drafted, your lawyer ensures they’re properly signed, notarized, and—critically—implemented. That means updating beneficiary designations, retitling assets where necessary, and keeping your plan reviewed as your life evolves. Learn more about how we approach this at Estate Planning Services.
Estate Planning for All Walks of Life
You don’t need to be a parent or have a sprawling estate to benefit from professional planning. In fact, Estate Planning for Singles outlines exactly why those without traditional family structures need even more deliberate legal planning.
Similarly, don’t fall for the myths that estate planning is only for the old, the wealthy, or the dying. In our article on Estate Planning Myths: Common Misconceptions Debunked, we break down why that mindset leads to avoidable legal chaos.
The Risks of DIY Estate Planning
In an era where online templates and “legal kits” promise fast, cheap estate planning, it’s tempting to go it alone. But this is one area where DIY can do real damage. One wrong word, one overlooked detail, one unaligned beneficiary designation—and your carefully laid plans unravel in court.
DIY estate planning tools can’t:
- Tailor strategies to complex family or financial dynamics
- Keep your plan compliant with current Colorado law
- Flag issues like unintended tax consequences or probate exposure
Most dangerously, they give a false sense of security. You won’t know it’s wrong until it’s too late—and by then, you won’t be the one dealing with the fallout. Your loved ones will.
If you’re considering the DIY route, we urge you to read Estate Planning Myths: Common Misconceptions Debunked, where we explore this issue in more detail.
Your Lawyer: Not Just a Draftsman, But a Lifelong Advisor
A well-constructed estate plan evolves over time. Marriages, divorces, children, new assets—life doesn’t stand still. Neither should your plan. That’s why we advise clients to schedule periodic reviews and update their documents accordingly. As Kiplinger notes, the most effective estate plans are not static—they’re adaptive.
At Lewis & Matthews, P.C., we take that role seriously. We’re not just preparing your documents—we’re preparing your future.
Estate Planning Checklist
To get the most out of your consultation with an estate planning attorney—and to ensure your plan covers all the bases—review this essential checklist:
- Basic Documents: These are the foundation of any estate plan. They include your Last Will and Testament, trusts, power of attorney forms, and medical directives that ensure your wishes are honored if you become incapacitated.
- Asset Organization: Knowing what you own—and where it is—is critical. Gather and document your financial accounts, titles, insurance policies, and any valuable personal property.
- Beneficiary Designations: Ensure all accounts with designated beneficiaries are accurate and up to date. These designations often override what’s in your will.
- Family & Executor Information: Identify and document the people you trust to carry out your wishes, make medical decisions, and administer your estate.
- Ongoing Plan Maintenance: Estate planning is not one-and-done. Commit to revisiting your plan regularly, especially after major life changes.
This checklist is not a substitute for legal counsel—but it’s a powerful tool to help you get organized and ensure your estate plan does what you need it to do.
Ready to Secure Your Assets?
Estate planning isn’t morbid. It’s responsible. It’s generous. It’s a way to ensure that what you’ve built—financially and personally—ends up where you want it, without burdening the people you love. Let’s make it happen. Contact Lewis & Matthews, P.C. to schedule a consultation and take control of your legacy—on your terms.
