Business Details
40 Years
experience
Your Trusted Estate Planning & Probate Attorneys in Vail
Established in 1986, our firm provides comprehensive legal solutions in estate planning, probate, real estate, and business matters. With over 36 years of experience, we combine deep legal expertise with personalized service to protect clients' assets and simplify complex processes. Our practice spans transactional and litigation matters, informed by experience in Colorado, Arizona, and Wisconsin. We prioritize client education, transparent communication, and practical strategies tailored to individual family dynamics.Our team understands mountain resort community real estate challenges and offers collaborative planning with financial professionals. We emphasize proactive estate management to minimize emotional and financial burdens during difficult times, offering free initial consultations to promote accessible legal preparedness.
Services
Estate Planning
Wills and Trusts
Probate Administration
Real Estate Representation
Business Formation
Details
- Year established: 1986
Highlights and features
- We offer 36+ years of specialized estate planning experience
- Our team provides practical solutions for complex family dynamics
- We combine multi-state legal expertise with local mountain community knowledge
- We maintain transparent fee structures with fair pricing
- Our practice emphasizes proactive asset protection strategies
What people say
Incredibly responsive
Timely responses
Great to work with
Knowledgeable and professional
Fair and reasonable fees
Services
Estate Planning
We create customized estate plans that protect assets and outline clear directives for asset management during incapacity and after death. Our approach minimizes tax burdens and administrative costs while addressing family-specific concerns. Clients receive comprehensive guidance on guardianship designations, healthcare directives, and trust structures to ensure their wishes are honored.
Revocable Trusts
Our revocable trust services help clients avoid probate by transferring asset ownership to trusts while maintaining lifetime control. We implement strategies that streamline post-death administration, protect privacy, and provide for seamless asset management during incapacity. The trusts are tailored to handle multi-state properties and complex family dynamics.
Probate Administration
We guide executors through probate processes for will-based estates, handling document filings, creditor notifications, and asset distribution. Our services include small estate procedures, joint tenancy documentation, and resolution of contested probate matters. We emphasize efficient resolution of title issues and tax compliance during estate settlement.
Real Estate Representation
We represent buyers and sellers in residential and commercial real estate transactions, focusing on mountain resort properties. Our services include title commitment review, contract negotiation, and resolution of title defects. We provide specialized expertise in land development, entitlement processes, and timeshare transactions within Colorado's unique regulatory environment.
Business Formation
We assist in establishing LLCs and corporations to protect personal assets from business liabilities. Our services include drafting operating agreements, advising on tax implications, and structuring governance frameworks. We provide ongoing support for contract negotiations, lease agreements, and business succession planning.
People
Ann Hutchison
Attorney
Practicing since 1986, Ann specializes in estate planning, probate, and mountain real estate law. She combines multi-state experience with deep Vail Valley knowledge to create practical solutions for complex legal matters. Her approach emphasizes client education and minimizing family conflicts during estate transitions.
Questions
What estate planning documents do I really need?
Basic plans include wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. We'll help determine if you need a revocable trust to avoid probate or specific guardianship provisions based on your family situation.
How does a living trust avoid probate?
By transferring asset ownership to your trust during life, the trust becomes the legal owner. After death, the successor trustee distributes assets according to your instructions without court involvement.
Can I handle Colorado real estate probate myself?
While possible, we recommend legal guidance due to complex title requirements and deadlines. We help navigate court procedures, creditor claims, and multi-state property considerations.
What makes mountain property transactions different?
Vail Valley properties often involve unique title issues, HOA regulations, and seasonal usage considerations. Our local experience helps resolve these specialized challenges efficiently.
How do I choose between a will and trust?
Wills require probate while trusts avoid it. Trusts offer better incapacity planning and privacy. We'll analyze your asset types, family dynamics, and long-term goals to recommend the best approach.
What happens if I don't plan for incapacity?
Without legal documents, family members must petition for guardianship. Our durable powers of attorney let you choose decision-makers and avoid costly court interventions during health crises.
