FAQ'S

Frequently Asked Questions & Forms

FAQ's

What should I bring to my initial appointment?
Estate Planning clients need to bring their completed Estate Planning worksheet which is available below. You can either fill it in online or print it and complete it by hand. You should also bring any estate planning documents you have such as existing trusts, wills or powers of attorney. Your worksheet should be filled out to the best of your ability as it provides us with an opportunity to quickly "issue spot" and make the most of your time with your legal professional.
The information requested on these worksheets may seem like none of our business, but it is very important that an estate planner understands your present situation and your goals for the future. The proper handling of your affairs, should you become incompetent or pass, is largely determined by how you own assets while you are alive, and whether you have named the most competent and trustworthy person to handle your estate.

These worksheets are designed to ensure that we have the information we need to recommend and create an optimal plan. The ultimate objective of planning is to make things as easy as possible for your loved ones, or those you wish to benefit from your life’s work.

  • What are your office hours?

    The office is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Fridays. We are closed for major holidays.

  • Where is your office located?

    6855 South Havana Street, Suite 370

    Centennial, CO 80112


    Map


    Six-Story (Red Brick) Office Building near the corner of South Havana Street and East Arapahoe Road



  • Can I ask an attorney a question over the phone even though I am not a client?

    We do not give legal advice over the phone. Please call (303) 734-71310 to schedule a FREE initial consultion with Nadya Lambert. If you have a general legal question, there are free resources available to you through the Colorado Bar Association website ( www.cobar.org) under “For the Public", as well as the El Paso County Bar Association website (www.elpasocountybar.org). 


    Both the El Paso County Bar and Colorado State Bar offer attorney referral services if you determine that you require the services of an attorney that specializes in an area of practice in which Nadya Lambert does not engage. Visit www.elpasocountybar.org or http://www.cobar.org/directory/ to search registered attorneys. If you are in El Paso County, you can also call (719) 636-1532.

  • How much will legal services cost?

    Fees and costs for legal services vary greatly. During your FREE initial consultion, Nadya Lambert will give you a quote for the cost of legal services to be performed. It is best to schedule an initial consultation to discuss your issue with her in person. This gives Nadya the opportunity to accommodate your specific needs. Nadya Lambert is also a network attorney for HYATT, ARAG Legal Plans, LawPoint and Workplace Benefits. If you are a member of one of these plans through your employer our legal services may be covered in full or in part. Please contact your Legal Plan provider for further information.

  • How long is the initial Consultation?

    Estate Planning Consultations are 1 – 1 1/2 hours. All other consultations can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 1 1/2 hours.

Download - Individual

Contact Us

This worksheet is intended for single clients, or persons who wish to do their estate planning without their spouse or partner involved (even if you have jointly titled assets). 


If you are married, and you want your spouse to be involved or included in your estate plan, please look to the DOWNLOAD COUPLES TAB (even if you have separately titled assets).


If you are a non-married couple, and you want your partner to be involved or included in your estate plan, please look to the NON-MARRIED COUPLE, SAME-SEX, AND BLENDED FAMILY TAB (even if you have separately titled assets). 

What is your primary motivation for considering estate planning? (Select one or more)


Probate avoidance
Business or farm planning
Guardianship for minor children
Federal estate tax planning
Other

How soon would you like to complete planning? Is there a specific deadline, such as an upcoming trip, surgery, etc.?

Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes Yes No
Yes
No
Yes
No

Do you have a Child support Obligation or are you subject to a court order requiring you to maintain life insurance for the benefit of your children? ***If you do, please bring a copy of your court orders to your appointment***

Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No

Net Worth: If you added the value of all property you own including real estate, personal property, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, IRAs, and anything else you own except death benefits on life insurance, what is the approximate total value of your estate?

Do any of your beneficiaries have a learning disability, special educational, medical or physical needs?

Yes
No

Do you have any relatives (other than children) who depend on you for all or part of their support?

Yes
No

Do you think any of your beneficiaries have special problems with spouses, drugs, alcohol or handling money?

Yes
No
Yes
No

Do you have an existing Property Agreement?

Do either of you expect to inherit substantial assets ($100,000 +)?

Yes
No

Do you have an existing Property Agreement?

Yes
No

Children or Other Beneficiaries


Gift Tax Returns

Have gift tax returns ever been filed to report gifts made? ***If YES, please bring copies of the returns to your appointment.

Appointments

1. Personal Representative. The will should name a personal representative to probate the estate. (Personal representative is also sometimes referred to as executor or administrator.)

2. Successor Trustee. If you choose to avoid probate of your estate by executing a living trust during lifetime, a successor trustee should be named. The successor trustee would be responsible for managing assets if you were unable to do so. The successor trustee would manage assets in the event of your incapacity and would distribute assets to beneficiaries after death.

3. Health Care Agent. Who should be named to make medical decisions on your behalf including decisions regarding medical consents, life support issues, and nursing home admission if you were unable to make these decisions yourself? It is not necessary to appoint the same person who is your successor trustee or personal representative as your health care agent.

  Plan of Distribution

1. Specific Gifts. Do you want to make charitable gifts, such as to a house of worship or other institution? Do you wish to make a special gift to a particular person, such as a piece of jewelry to a particular child?

2. Briefly describe where you would want assets remaining after any specific gifts are distributed. (Don’t worry about tax planning or other considerations in answering this question. We’ll consider those details later if needed.)

Equally between children, and if a child didn’t survive, the deceased child’s children would take the share of the deceased child.
Equally between surviving children
As follows:

3. Ultimate Distribution. You might want to provide for the distribution of your property if neither you, nor your children/other beneficiaries named above survive.

Please complete this section only if you have minor beneficiaries or beneficiaries with disabilities.


1. Guardian.  If you have child(ren) or other beneficiary(ies) who are minors or who have special needs, you may need to appoint a guardian. The guardian is responsible for the day-to-day care of the child. It is a good idea to name an alternate guardian to act if your first choice cannot serve.

2. Testamentary Trustee. You may need a trustee to manage assets for beneficiaries until they reach an age when you believe they should be capable of managing assets on their own. A trustee can keep the beneficiary’s money invested wisely and use it for their education, support, etc., until they reach the age specified for outright distribution of assets to them. The trustee can be a relative, friend, trust company, or other person or institution you trust to manage and distribute assets according to your wishes. The testamentary trustee can be the same person named as the guardian, or could be a different person or institution.

3. Age of Distribution. If you do establish a trust to allow a third party to manage assets for beneficiaries, then it is necessary for you to decide when the beneficiaries will be mature enough to manage assets on their own. You may want to give each beneficiary his or her share at the time the beneficiary reaches a particular age. You may consider splitting the distribution, such as ½ at age 25 and the balance at age 30, or 1/3 at 21, 1/3 at 25, and 1/3 at 35. You may use any age or combination of ages that you choose.

Income/Asset/Liability Information

Please list your income/asset/liability information in the appropriate category below.Attach a separate page if necessary.


Income:

Type of Asset

Title in Which Held (You solely, Joint with third party, Tenants in common, etc.)

 Current Value

Real Estate  (Include type of property e.g., residential, agricultural, commercial, or manufacturing.)

Personal Residence

Vacant Land

Other

Liquid Assets (Include account number and address where held.)

Cash on Hand

Government and Publicly Traded Securities


Money Market Accounts


Equity in Business







Annuities

Owner

Beneficiary

Current Value











Liabilities

Name Loan Taken In

Amount Owed

  General Questions

Notes and Questions: Please note anything else which may be of importance in planning your estate, or note any questions you may have.

Download - Married Couples, But Not Blended Families

Contact Us

This worksheet is intended for married couples who only have children of this marriage and who want their spouse to be involved or included in their estate planning (even if you have separately titled assets).


Husband


Wife

Husband’s Phone Number

Wife’s Phone Number

Email

Marital Status:

Married
Separated

If single, (including divorced or widowed and not remarried) use the Estate Planning Worksheet for single individuals.


What is your primary motivation for considering estate planning? (Select one or more)


Probate avoidance
Guardianship for minor children
Business or farm planning
Federal estate tax planning
Other

Husband

Wife

Do you presently have a will?

Yes
No
Yes
No

Do you presently have a trust?

Yes
No
Yes
No

Are you interested in avoiding probate of your estate?

Yes
No
Yes
No

Were there any previous marriages?

Yes
No
Yes
No

If yes, year marriage ended in:

Are any of your children not from your current relationship?

Yes
No
Yes
No

Do any of your children or other beneficiaries have disabilities?

Yes
No
Yes
No

Do you own a farm or business?

Yes
No
Yes
No

If yes, do any of your children work in the business with you?

Yes
No
Yes
No

If yes, does the child working in the business have a ownership interest in the business?

Yes
No
Yes
No

Are you a U.S. citizen?

Yes
No
Yes
No
Option 3

Have you entered into any agreements with your spouse(such as a prenuptial or community property agreement)?

Yes
No
Yes
No

Do you have a have a Child support Obligation or are you subject to a court order requiring you tomaintain life insurance for the benefit of you children?

Yes
No
Yes
No

*** If you do, please bring a copy of your court orders to your appointment***

Do you or any family member or potential beneficiaries have any serious health problems?

Yes
No
Yes
No

Do you own a long-term care (nursing home) insurance policy?

Yes
No
Yes
No

Do you hold everything jointly with your spouse, or is some property separate?

All joint (except IRA's, pensions, etc.)
Some separate

Net Worth:  If you added the value of all property owned by yourself and your spouse including real estate, personal property, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, IRAs, and anything else you own except death benefits on life insurance, what is the approximate total value of the estate of yourself and your spouse?

What is the value of death benefits on life insurance?

Do any of your beneficiaries have a learning disability, special educational, medical or physical needs?

Yes
No

Do you have any relatives (other than children) who depend on you for all or part of their support?

Yes
No

Do you think any of your beneficiaries have special problems with spouses, drugs, alcohol or handling money?

Yes
No

Do you wish to disinherit any of your children,grandchildren or any other close relative?

Yes
No

Do you have an existing Property Agreement?

Yes
No

Do either of you expect to inherit substantial assets ($100,000 +)?

Yes
No

Children or Other Beneficiaries

Name

Address

Date of Birth

Relationship

Gift Tax Returns

Have gift tax returns ever been filed to report gifts made? ***If YES, please bring copies of the returns to your appointment

Appointments

1. Personal Representative.  The will should name a personal representative to probate the estate. (Personal representative is also sometimes referred to as executor or administrator.) (e.g., spouse as primary personal representative, with a child, relative, friend, or corporate trustee as alternate. In situations where there are children by a previous relationship, spouse as primary personal representative may not be appropriate.)

Personal Reprensentative:

Alternate:

Second Alternate:

2. Successor Trustee.  If you choose to avoid probate of your estate by executing a living trust during lifetime, a successor trustee should be named. The successor trustee would be responsible for managing assets if you were unable to do so. The successor trustee would manage assets in the event of your incapacity and would distribute assets to beneficiaries after death.


Successor Trustee:

Alternate:

Second Alternate:

3. Health Care Agent. Who should be named to make medical decisions on your behalf including decisions regarding medical consents, life support issues, and nursing home admission if you were unable to make these decisions yourself? It is not necessary to appoint the same person who is your successor trustee or personal representative as your health care agent.


Health Care Agent:

Alternate:

Second Alternate:

Plan of Distribution

1. Specific Gifts.  Do you want to make charitable gifts, such as to a house of worship or other institution? Do you wish to make a special gift to a particular person, such as a piece of jewelry to a particular child?

2. Briefly describe the plan of distribution for assets remaining after any specific gifts described above are made. (Don’t worry about tax planning or other considerations in answering this question. We’ll consider those details later if needed.)

All to spouse; then among children, and if a child didn’t survive, the deceased child’s share to the deceased child’s children.
All to spouse, then equally among surviving children.
All to spouse, then
As follows:

3. Ultimate Distribution. You might want to provide for the distribution of your property if neither you, your spouse, nor your children/other beneficiaries named above survive.

Please complete this section only if you have minor beneficiaries or beneficiaries with disabilities.


1. Guardian. If you have child(ren) or other beneficiary(ies) who are minors or who have special needs, you may need to appoint a guardian. The guardian is responsible for the day-to-day care of the child. It is a good idea to name an alternate guardian to act if your first choice cannot serve.

Guardian:

Alternate:

2. Testamentary Trustee. You may need a trustee to manage assets for beneficiaries until they reach an age when you believe they should be capable of managing assets on their own. A trustee can keep the beneficiary’s money invested wisely and use it for their education, support, etc. until they reach the age specified for outright distribution of assets to them. The trustee can be a relative, friend, trust company, or other person or institution you trust to manage and distribute assets according to your wishes. The testamentary trustee can be the same person named as the guardian or could be a different person or institution.

Testamentary Trustee:

Alternate:

3. Age of Distribution. If you do establish a trust to allow a third party to manage assets for beneficiaries, then it is necessary for you to decide when the beneficiaries will be mature enough to manage assets on their own. You may want to give each beneficiary his or her share at the time the beneficiary reaches a particular age. You may consider splitting the distribution, such as ½ at age 25 and the balance at age 30, or 1/3 at 21, 1/3 at 25, and 1/3 at 35. You may use any age or combination of ages that you choose.

General Questions

Notes and Questions:  Please note anything else which may be of importance in planning your estate, or note any questions you may have.

Income/Asset/Liability Information

Please list your income/asset/liability information in the appropriate category below.Attach a separate page if necessary.

Type of Asset

Title in Which Held (Husband sole, Wife sole, Joint with spouse, Joint with third party, Tenants in common, etc.)


Current Value

Real Estate  (Include type of property e.g., residential, agricultural, commercial, or manufacturing.)

Personal Residence

Vacant Land

Other

Liquid Assets  (Include account number and address where held.)

Cash on Hand


Government and Publicly Traded Securities

Unlisted Securities (Not Publicly Traded)

Money Market Accounts

Equity in Business

Notes and Loans Receivable

Checking Accounts

Savings Accounts

Certificates of Deposit

Automobiles

Other Personal Property

Annuities

Owner

Beneficiary

Current Value

IRAs


Pension/Profit Sharing


Life Insurance





Other Assets

Liabilities

Name Loan Taken In

(Husband, Wife etc.)

Amount Owed

Download - Non- Married, Same Sex, & Blended Family

Contact Us

This worksheet is intended for married couples who only have children of this marriage and who want their spouse to be involved or included in their estate planning (even if you have separately titled assets).


CLIENT INFORMATION

[Strictly Confidential]

Party #1’s Legal Name:

Other Names used:

Address:

Telephone:

Date of Birth

US citizen?

Yes
No

If no, what nationality:

Business/Employment:

Party #2’s Legal Name:

Other Names used:

Date of Birth

Business/Employment:

US citizen?

Yes
No

If no, what nationality:

Registered Domestic Partners?

Yes
No

Legally Married?

Yes
No

Term You Use to Characterize Your Relationship:

"Partner"
"Life Partner"
"Friend"
"Significant Other"
Other:

Prior Marriages?

Party #1:

Yes
No

If yes, name of prior spouse:

How Terminated?

Death
Divorce

Date:

Party #2:

Yes
No

If yes, name of prior spouse:

How Terminated?


Death
Divorce

Date:

CHILDREN OF THIS RELATIONSHIP:

None

AGE or DOB

Number of grandchildren:

Range of Ages:

CHILDREN FROM PRIOR RELATIONSHIPS:

#1

#2

AGE

Option 1
Option 2
Option 1
Option 2
Option 1
Option 2
Option 1
Option 2
Option 1
Option 2

Treat all children as if they were the children of both parties?

No
Yes

Treat all children as if they were the children of both parties?

No
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Option 1
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No

ESTIMATED* VALUE OF ESTATE

TYPE OF ASSET:

PARTY #1'S SEP. PROP.

PARTY #2'S SEP. PROP.

JOINT PROPERTY

• REAL ESTATE: 

(fair market value, less loans)

• SECURITIES: 

(stocks, bonds, mutual funds)

• CASH TYPE ASSETS: 

(cash, annuities, notes due you)

• BUSINESS INTERESTS: 

(sole proprietorship, partnerships, closely held corporation, etc.)

• RETIREMENT PLANS: 

(IRA, 401k, etc. †))

• VEHICLES: 

(autos, R.V., boat)

• PERSONAL PROPERTY: 

(jewelry, furniture, antiques)

TOTAL:

 

* Use best guess; this can be a “ballpark” estimate.

† Do not show benefits which will terminate at death (e.g., pension, social security, etc.).Value of Life Insurance policies will be listed separately on the next page.


LIFE INSURANCE

(do not include accidental death policies)

INSURED 

(#1 or #2)

OWNER

(#1/#2/J)

CASH VALUE

($ estimate)

FACE VALUE

($ paid on death)

BENEFICIARY

(#1/#2/C/O)

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