Category: K & G Attorneys

Resolve to Complete Your Estate Plan

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The new year brings excitement, opportunity and resolutions. Often people resolve to complete their estate plan in the coming year. Given that most people do not have a current, integrated and HIPAA compliant plan, that is a great resolution.

So how do you get started? Start by watching this video, especially if you have a family:

Your goal should be to have an integrated and HIPAA compliant plan. To learn what plan is right for you and your family, call our office today at 303-688-3535 to schedule your in depth estate planning assessment. You’ll be glad you did.

The Importance of Proper Beneficiary Designations

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In estate planning, the details matter. In fact they matter so much that the tiniest of details can derail your entire plan. A good example of that is your beneficiary designations.

Family Lawyer Castle Rock

Beneficiary designations can be on things like bank accounts, insurance policies, IRA’s and brokerage accounts. The key question is are your beneficiary designations synchronized with your estate plan? If they are not then your estate plan can fail.

To avoid the inadvertent failure of your plan, work with your estate planning attorney to check each beneficiary designation to ensure coordination with your estate plan.

Protect Yourself and Family from Scams and Fraud

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Foreign Hackers

Our firm is located in Castle Rock, Colorado, currently rated as one of the most desirable places to live in the U.S. As our community has grown it has attracted an assortment of scammers, fraudsters and con-artists. Each year we publish an article on the latest tips you can use to protect your family and yourself from getting scammed. Here is our 2019 update on avoiding fraud and cons.

Here are some of the latest frauds to watch out for:

1) Fake families begging at local stores.
2) Fake notices on obtaining recorded documents about real estate.
3) The ever popular robo call now also on your cell phone.
4) Skimming machines at local gas stations.
5) In good weather the always annoying door to door sales person.
6) Internet scams now appearing on your facebook and twitter pages and in the groups you follow there.

There are many more and scammers get bolder and more sophisticated each day. Your job, with these tips is to outsmart the con-artists. Here are several tips to use:

1) Any time and in any place that you feel threatened or uncomfortable, call the police or sheriff’s office. Nothing makes rats run away faster than the cops arriving.

2) If you are unsure about an offer or sales person, check them out before signing anything or giving them money. Use these links to get more detailed tips:
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0060-10-things-you-can-do-avoid-fraud

https://www.bbb.org/avoidscams/

https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/get-help/protect-yourself-from-scams

3) Ask your lawyer or CPA for their opinion before you hand your hard earned money over to someone. Your lawyer and CPA owe you what is called “fiduciary care” so they are required to have your interest paramount.

4) As hard as this may be to do, NEVER EVER give money to someone who is begging at the store. If you fail to follow this rule you will probably see that fake family at the car dealer buying their next car with your money!

5) As fun as it is to follow advice on facebook, twitter and nextdoor, don’t buy ANYTHING just because you see it there. I recently purchased a tool for my bike on facebook and, to my total dismay it was a total piece of garbage and I should have known better!

The basis rule in our law is Caveat Emptor. This means that only you can prevent fraud and only you are the best means to protect yourself from scams and con-artists. Remember this: Be careful out there!

3 (Of Many) Reasons Why Estate Planning is Not Only for the Wealthy

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Before I became an estate planning attorney, I did not fully understand the importance of having an estate plan.  I thought that estate planning was only for the wealthy.  Nothing can be further from the truth!
So, here are 3 reasons why you should consider meeting with an estate planning attorney, regardless of your wealth:

1. You have children under the age of 18.

A good estate plan protects your children from an uncertain future.  For example, a comprehensive estate plan for families with young children will include an Appointment of Guardian, which allows you to nominate a guardian to care for your children when you die or become incapacitated and are unable to care for them.  They also include an Authorization for Care of Minor Children, which allows you to appoint an another adult to temporarily care for and make decisions on behalf of your minor children when you are on vacation, unavailable, or become incapacitated.

2. To appoint decision makers to take care of you and your finances should you become unable to do so.

Not all estate planning concerns death.  For example, power of attorney documents are important estate planning tools.  These documents allow you to name people you trust (agents) to make medical and financial decisions for you while you alive, but are unable, or don’t want to, make such decisions for yourself.

3. The State in which you live has already created an estate plan for you.

All 50 states, and the District of Columbia, have laws that dictate how your property will be distributed after you die.  These laws are called the laws of intestacy and apply when you die without a will.  These laws may not match how you want your property to be distributed after your death.
Greta Suneson

K&G Attorney Named 2019 Castle Rock Citizen of the Year

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K&G happily announces that the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce has named K&G partner Bernie Greenberg as the 2019 Castle Rock Citizen of the Year. Bernie’s involvement in the local community is extensive as he has a long list of community service and is the 2019-2020 Chair of the Castle Rock Chamber Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charity which provides public education in business, economics and civics. Congratulations to Bernie Greenberg!

Get Help If You Suspect Exploitation

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Exploitation of the elderly and other persons at risk is increasing daily. The K&G Estate Department has an array of tools and lawyers to help in these difficult cases. Society should protect it’s most vulnerable, elderly, children, the disabled but alarmingly these vulnerable people are most often at risk from their own families.

Abuse of persons at risk can come in many forms. Physical, emotional or financial. Protecting at risk individuals begins with education, training and sometimes legal intervention. If you become aware of an abuse case please take these steps immediately:

  1. Report to the person responsible for the person unless that is the abuser.
  2. Report to authorities. Police and sheriff departments have training and personnel to deal with these cases.
  3. Contact our office 303-688-3535 for assistance. The K&G Estate Department has attorneys trained to assist with these matters and who specialize in protecting at risk individuals.

Becky Goldmanis Named a Colorado Super Lawyer for 2018-2019

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Kokish & Goldmanis is proud to announce that K&G partner Becky Goldmanis has been named a Colorado Super Lawyer for 2018-2019.

The Colorado Super Lawyers are well known and recognized as the best lawyers in Colorado.

Goldmanis, who heads K&G’s Family Law Department had this to say, “I am honored to be named a Colorado Super Lawyer! As a former district attorney it is gratifying to know that our work at K&G in helping families is recognized”.

K&G Lawyers Are Active in Our Community

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K&G partner Bernie Greenberg is now the immediate past chair of the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce and the current chair of the board of directors of the Castle Rock Chamber Foundation.

The foundation provides education to the public and schools on the economy, business and finance to equip the public to be better citizens and understand how our economy works. By providing these educational programs the Castle Rock Chamber Foundation reduces the financial burden to local governments who lack resources to provide such education.

Greenberg, who heads K&G’s Estate Planning Department had this comment, “It is honor to serve the Castle  Rock Chamber Foundation as it’s chair and move our community forward with broader and deeper understanding of how the economy works.”

Becky Photo Castle Rock Law Firm

Rebecca Goldmanis Named Rising Star By Colorado Super Lawyers

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K&G is pleased to announce that firm partner Rebecca Goldmanis has been named a Rising Star by Colorado Super Lawyers. Becky heads the firm’s Family Law Department and specializes in family law, complex and high conflict divorce and post decree matters.

As a former district attorney, Becky is experienced in high conflict matters and is recognized as one of Colorado’s top family law specialists. Becky also presented to the Colorado Family Law Institute in the summer of 2017 with K&G partner Bernie Greenberg on how trusts can impact divorce.