The holidays are a time for gratitude, reflection, and family gatherings. Between the laughter, shared meals, and festive traditions, there is also a natural opportunity to discuss one of the most important gifts you can give your loved ones: clarity about your estate plans and family finances.

Halloween is a time for costumes, candy, and a few spooky surprises. Unfortunately, the real scares are not in haunted houses, they can be hiding in outdated estate planning documents. Outdated documents can create confusion, delays, stress and conflict for your loved ones.

Every October, Estate Planning Awareness Month serves as an important reminder of something many people put off—making a clear plan for the future. While estate planning may feel overwhelming or like something to deal with “later,” it is one of the most valuable steps you can take to protect yourself, your family, and your legacy.

September 7, 2025, was National Grandparents Day, time to honor the wisdom, love, and legacy of the grandparents in our lives. Beyond sharing stories, traditions, and family recipes, many grandparents also want to leave a lasting financial legacy for their children and grandchildren. 

But without proper planning, that legacy can easily become tied up in probate—the court process required to settle an estate. Probate often means delays, added costs, and, unfortunately, family stress at an already difficult time.

Losing someone, even when their estate is modest, brings emotional weight, and managing the legalities does not help. The good news? Colorado’s Small Estate Affidavit offers a faster, less costly, and less formal way to settle smaller estates under state rules.

Backpacks are packed, lunchboxes are labeled, and the school year is officially underway! While your kids are focused on spelling tests and soccer practice, this season is also the perfect time for parents (and grandparents) to do a little “homework” of their own—reviewing their estate plan.

AI and do-it-yourself estate planning tools are growing in popularity, offering quick and inexpensive solutions for wills and trusts. But what many people do not realize is that these tools often create more problems than they solve—especially when it comes to probate.

 At Independence Legal Group, we are seeing more families end up in expensive and time-consuming probate court because of online wills, AI-generated documents, or incomplete DIY plans.

On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) into law, bringing with it exciting updates for families, business owners, and individuals across the country—especially those focused on estate planning.

The bill makes a significant and permanent increase to the federal estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax exemptions, creating new planning opportunities that can bring peace of mind and long-term savings for families here in Colorado.

When my siblings and I gathered at Dad’s house after his funeral, we expected to feel a lot of things—grief, sadness, nostalgia. We did not expect to feel lost. There was no will. No list of accounts. No plan. Just a box of old paperwork, a few keys we could not match to anything, and a house filled with memories and unanswered questions. That was the moment we found ourselves asking the same question over and over again:

“Why didn’t Dad tell us?”

When people think about estate planning, they often imagine complicated legal documents or drawn-out court processes. But one of the easiest and most effective ways to keep assets out of probate is often overlooked: beneficiary designations.

Summer is right around the corner — and with it often comes a natural slowdown for many businesses. Clients take vacations, employees request time off, and decision-making timelines stretch out. But summer does not have to mean lost momentum. With smart planning, you can use the season to strengthen your business for the busy months ahead.

Graduation season is here — a time of pride, celebration, and looking ahead. As young adults step into their futures, there is an important milestone many families overlook: estate planning.

In today’s fast-paced business world, maintaining well-organized, accurate, and up-to-date documents is essential for success, growth, and security. Here are key reasons why you should prioritize document management:

National Healthcare Decision Day (NHDD) is observed annually on April 16, and it serves as a vital reminder to all Americans about the importance of making healthcare decisions in advance. This day aims to educate individuals about the significance of planning for future medical care and ensuring that their preferences are clearly communicated in the event they are unable to speak for themselves.

Growing a business is an exciting journey, but expansion also brings new legal risks. Whether you are hiring employees, entering into contracts, or scaling operations, taking proactive legal steps can help safeguard your business. Here are five key strategies to ensure legal protection as your business grows.

Probate can be a long, costly, and public process that delays the transfer of your assets to your loved ones. However, there are strategies you can implement now to avoid probate and ensure that your estate passes to your heirs quickly and privately.

As we transition into spring, it’s the perfect time to refresh and reset your business. The new season brings renewed energy, making it the ideal moment to focus on maximizing productivity within your organization. Whether you are looking to enhance your team’s performance, streamline processes, or optimize personal workflows, there are several strategies you can implement to boost efficiency and success as we head into the second quarter of the year.

Estate planning is one of the most important yet often overlooked aspects of financial planning. Many people assume that estate planning is only for the wealthy, but in reality, it is essential for everyone, regardless of income or assets. Failing to establish a proper estate plan can lead to unnecessary legal complications, financial burdens, and emotional stress for your loved ones.

Your estate plan is a powerful tool that ensures your wishes are honored, your loved ones are cared for, and your legacy is protected. However, simply creating an estate plan is not enough. Life is full of changes, and your plan must evolve to keep pace. Regular maintenance is essential to ensure your estate plan remains aligned with your current circumstances and goals.