Estate planning, wills and trusts, Chapter 7 bankruptcy, and amicable divorce in Boulder, CO

Since legal issues are stressful, we’ve designed our firm to make clients feel welcome, get answers promptly and achieve the best resolution possible. We encourage our clients to call us with any questions or concerns and we return calls the same day or shortly thereafter.

I strongly prefer to have my clients call or email me with their questions   I also use the services of my assistant whenever appropriate to reduce costs.  Additionally, we offer tea and coffee with a private conference room to make a trip to our office a little more comfortable and we do zoom and calls for those who prefer to skip a trip downtown.

Family law

 Our role is to steady the legal side so you can make good decisions. We help people in Boulder and nearby communities—Louisville, Lafayette, Longmont, Superior, Erie—work through divorce, parenting time, decision-making, child support, protection orders, and post-decree modifications. We begin with your priorities and a clear picture of schedules, finances, and any safety concerns. From there, we choose the narrowest path that still protects you: negotiated agreements when the gap is bridgeable, mediation when a neutral adds value, and court when a judge’s decision is the only way forward.

We talk openly about tradeoffs. Parenting plans have moving parts—pickups, bedtimes, travel, holidays—so we design terms that hold up week after week, not just on signing day. Where a business, house, or retirement account is involved, we line up the numbers before positions harden; that saves time and reduces friction. If safety is in play, we document early, ask for the right protections, and keep the process focused.

Communication stays proportional. Short notes when they do the job. A quick call when it prevents three confusing emails. You’ll know what comes next, who is responsible for each step, and the likely timing. When outside help will speed things along—financial neutrals, appraisers, parenting resources—we bring in trusted professionals and keep everyone rowing in the same direction. The aim is workable orders and routines you can follow without second-guessing, so your family can get back to normal life with fewer surprises.

Estate planning

We help you decide who may act for you during a health crisis, who keeps the lights on if you’re sidelined, and who receives property when you’re gone—then we make that plan easy to carry out. Across Boulder County, many clients choose a will-based plan that also names medical and financial decision-makers. Others need custom language for blended families, closely held businesses, or beneficiaries who shouldn’t receive a large distribution all at once.

We start with a practical conversation about what you own, who depends on you, and how you want decisions made. Then we propose the lightest document set that accomplishes your goals. We draft, review with you, and refine until the plan fits real life. We also check the details that make or break results—beneficiary designations on life insurance and retirement accounts, co-ownership on key assets, and instructions for digital accounts. When a revocable living trust would simplify things, we explain what changes in day-to-day life and guide you through “funding” the trust so it actually works.

Signing is organized and calm. You’ll know who should attend, what to bring, and how to store originals. Afterward, we provide a short follow-up list—small steps that keep everything aligned. Life moves: marriage, divorce, a new child, a move, a sale. When it does, we update. The end result isn’t a binder for the shelf; it’s a plan your future self—and your family—can rely on.

Wills and Trusts

A will is your voice on paper. It names a personal representative, appoints guardians for minor children, and directs where property goes. It also handles practical details: who manages digital accounts, how personal items are distributed, and what to do if a beneficiary predeceases you. For many Boulder clients, a well-crafted will paired with updated beneficiary designations covers the essentials with minimal upkeep.

A trust is a toolbox. A revocable living trust can add privacy, timing, and control. It helps when you own property in more than one state, want distributions for young adults to arrive in stages, wish to provide supplemental support for a loved one with special needs, or prefer to keep administration straightforward for the people handling your affairs. A trust works only when it’s funded, so we guide you through retitling key assets and using transfer-on-death tools where appropriate, then confirm when the pieces are in place.

Together, we’ll choose the structure that fits—will-based, trust-based, or a hybrid—and map how each choice affects taxes you actually encounter, the effort required to maintain the plan, and the experience your family will have if something happens. We sign correctly, set backups for every key role, and prepare a simple reference sheet so the right person can step in without a scavenger hunt. The goal isn’t fancy documents; it’s a plan that behaves when needed most.

Bankruptcy & debt resolution

When debt starts running the calendar and the mailbox, it’s time for a plan. We help clients in Boulder and the surrounding towns evaluate options and act decisively. We review income, expenses, assets, and goals, then prioritize relief that sticks. That may mean negotiating a realistic payment plan, settling a balance for less than the face amount, disputing a claim that isn’t documented, or—when it’s the cleanest route—using bankruptcy to stop collections and set a defined path to the finish line.

If bankruptcy is on the table, we compare the common chapters in practical terms. Chapter 7 can discharge many unsecured debts and typically wraps up in a few months. Chapter 13 creates a supervised repayment plan when catching up over time makes sense. We explain what each option won’t fix, what property Colorado law allows you to keep, how filing affects credit, and how to rebuild afterward.

Not every case needs a court filing. Many problems respond to documentation, clear deadlines, and the right sequence—what to tackle first, what to say (and what not to say), and when to insist on proof. You leave the first meeting with a priority list, a communication script, and dates to expect movement. Most clients feel relief right away because the unknowns shrink and the next step is obvious. That’s the point: fewer calls, fewer surprises, and steady progress back to normal.