Top 10 Estate Planning Lawyers in Colorado Springs, CO
A good estate plan spares the people you love a slow, expensive mess later. Here are the Colorado Springs estate planning firms that show up across the major directories, what a plan really costs, and how to pick the right fit.
Updated February 28, 202611 min readEditorially independent
If you are setting up an estate plan in Colorado Springs, here is the payoff in one sentence: a plan done right decides who raises your kids, who makes your medical and financial decisions if you cannot, and who gets what — without forcing your family through a long, public, expensive probate. Colorado has no state estate tax, so for most families this is about control and avoiding probate, not dodging a tax bill.
A typical Colorado plan includes a will, often a revocable living trust to keep assets out of probate, a financial power of attorney, a medical power of attorney, and a living will (advance directive). Colorado also recognizes beneficiary deeds that pass real estate directly to your heirs, and a simplified process for small estates. What you are really hiring a lawyer for is a plan that actually fits your family and is drafted and signed correctly, because a do-it-yourself form that fails at the worst possible moment costs far more than it saved. The firms below were chosen because each appears across at least two independent sources — Super Lawyers, Justia, Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Expertise.com — and each has a verifiable Colorado Springs estate-planning practice.
Most estate planning is quoted as a flat fee, which makes it easy to compare firms — but the cheapest package is not always the right one. A plan with a special-needs child, a blended family, a business, or out-of-state property needs more thought than a basic will. As you read the firms below, weigh how carefully each one asks about your family and goals, not just the price.
How we picked these 8: We cross-referenced peer rankings and directories (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, Justia, Expertise.com, FindLaw) and each firm's own published practice pages. Every firm below appeared in at least two independent sources and has a verifiable Colorado Springs-area estate planning practice. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
Practice focus: Wills, trusts, estate and trust administration, and probate
Founding member Larry R. Gaddis brings nearly 50 years of legal experience to estate planning at this established downtown Colorado Springs firm. The practice handles wills, trusts, estate and trust administration, and probate, giving clients a team that can both build a plan and help the family carry it out later.
Why they made the list: Decades of estate-planning experience plus in-house probate and trust administration for the long term.
Practice focus: Customized wills, trusts, and estate plans
Hammond Law Group's Colorado Springs and Denver estate-planning attorneys take time to learn each client's goals before designing a plan, rather than handing out a one-size template. The firm builds customized wills and trusts intended to carry out a client's wishes and keep families out of avoidable probate.
Why they made the list: A consultative, goals-first approach to customized wills and trusts.
Colorado Springs, CO34 years' experienceEstate planning focus
Practice focus: Estate planning, wills, and trusts
Jane L. Stobbs has practiced in Colorado Springs since 1992 and concentrates her work on estate planning, having helped thousands of clients prepare wills, trusts, and related documents. Her long tenure makes the practice a steady choice for individuals and families who want straightforward, experienced guidance.
Why they made the list: Three decades of focused estate-planning experience and a high client volume.
Colorado Springs, COPlanning & probateWills & trusts
Practice focus: Customized estate plans, wills, trusts, and probate
Peakstone Law Group builds customized estate plans — wills and trusts tailored to each client — and also handles estate administration and probate. Offering both the planning and the administration side means the same firm can help a family before and after a death.
Why they made the list: Handles both the plan and the probate, so one firm can help your family through both stages.
Colorado Springs, COPlanning & probatePOA & living wills
Practice focus: Wills, trusts, powers of attorney, living wills, and probate
The Law Office of Kevin R. Hancock serves the Colorado Springs area with a practice focused on estate planning and probate, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, living wills, probate, and trust administration. The narrow focus means clients work with a lawyer who handles these matters daily.
Why they made the list: A focused estate-and-probate practice covering the full set of planning documents.
Colorado Springs, COPlanning & administrationAsset protection
Practice focus: Estate planning and estate administration
Beth Hunt Law focuses exclusively on estate administration and estate planning, helping Colorado Springs clients protect assets through trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and other estate documents. The concentrated practice is a good fit for clients who want an attorney devoted solely to this area.
Why they made the list: An estate-only practice, which appeals to clients who want a dedicated specialist.
Colorado Springs, COSuper Lawyers honoreeEstate planning & probate
Practice focus: Estate planning, wills, trusts, and probate
Gardner Law is recognized on the Super Lawyers list for estate planning and probate in Colorado Springs, handling wills, trusts, and the administration of estates. Peer recognition from Super Lawyers is a meaningful independent marker of standing in the local estate bar.
Why they made the list: Independent peer recognition from Super Lawyers in estate planning and probate.
Colorado Springs, COSuper Lawyers honoreeEstate & probate
Practice focus: Estate planning, trusts, and probate administration
Stanley C. Kent is listed among Super Lawyers estate-planning and probate attorneys in Colorado Springs, with a practice centered on wills, trusts, and estate administration. The recognition and focus make the firm a credible option for clients who want experienced, vetted counsel.
Why they made the list: A Super Lawyers-recognized estate practice for clients who prioritize peer-vetted experience.
Tell us a little about your family and your goals. We'll connect you with a Colorado Springs estate planning firm that fits your situation — free, confidential, and no obligation.
How to choose between them in Colorado Springs
Match the plan to your life, not a template. A young family mostly needs a will, guardianship designations, and powers of attorney. A blended family, a business owner, or someone with significant assets usually needs a trust-based plan. Ask each firm what they would recommend for your situation and why.
Ask what the flat fee includes. A good estate-planning quote should spell out exactly which documents you get — will, trust, financial and medical powers of attorney, living will — plus whether funding the trust and future updates are included.
Confirm they handle trust funding. A living trust only avoids probate for assets actually titled into it. Ask whether the firm helps retitle your accounts and real estate into the trust, because an unfunded trust is a common and costly mistake.
Think about updates and probate help. Life changes — marriages, births, moves, deaths. Ask how the firm handles future updates, and whether they also do probate and trust administration, so the same team can help your family later.
What estate planning help typically costs in Colorado Springs
Estate planning in Colorado Springs is usually flat-fee, which makes costs refreshingly predictable. Here is the honest range:
Basic will package A will with financial and medical powers of attorney and a living will commonly runs a flat $300 to $1,000 for a straightforward situation.
Revocable living trust plan A trust-based plan that keeps assets out of probate — including the trust, a pour-over will, and powers of attorney — commonly runs $1,500 to $4,000+, depending on complexity and whether the firm funds the trust for you.
Powers of attorney and advance directives Often bundled into a package, but if purchased alone, financial and medical powers of attorney and a living will typically run a few hundred dollars.
Complex planning Blended families, special-needs trusts, business succession, or significant assets cost more because they take more drafting and counsel. Ask for a quote tailored to your facts.
Probate later If a loved one dies without avoiding probate, Colorado probate of an estate commonly runs from a few thousand dollars up, depending on complexity — which is exactly what a good plan is designed to spare your family.
Ask every firm exactly which documents the flat fee covers and whether trust funding and future updates are included before you sign an engagement letter.
How long it takes
Estate planning is one of the faster legal projects. Here is the realistic arc:
Initial meeting (1 session) You talk through your family, your assets, who you trust to make decisions, and your goals. The lawyer recommends a will-based or trust-based plan and quotes a flat fee.
Drafting (1–3 weeks) The firm prepares your documents based on the meeting. For most families this is quick; complex plans take a bit longer.
Review and signing You review the drafts, make changes, and sign with the required witnesses and notarization. Colorado has specific signing formalities, which is one reason to have a lawyer handle it.
Funding and storage For a trust, the firm helps retitle assets into it. You store originals safely and tell your decision-makers where to find them. Plan to revisit the plan after major life changes.
Red flags to watch for when hiring a estate planning lawyer in Colorado Springs
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can promise a specific result. If a firm guarantees a win, a number, or a court ruling, walk away.
The disappearing senior partner. You meet a named partner at intake, then never hear from them again while an unsupervised junior runs the file. Ask in writing who handles your matter day to day.
Pressure to sign on the spot. Reputable firms give you the engagement letter in writing and time to read it. High-pressure intake is a volume-mill signal.
No verifiable track record. Look for named results, peer rankings, board certifications, or bar recognition — not "we have helped thousands of clients."
Vague fees. Every legitimate firm will put the fee structure, what is covered, and what triggers extra charges in a written engagement letter.
10 questions to ask in your free consultation
Most of the firms on this list offer a free or low-cost initial call. Use it. Bring a written list and write down the answers, then compare across two or three firms before you sign anything.
Who, specifically, will handle my matter day to day? Get a name and a direct email, not just the firm.
How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? You want a number, not a brochure line.
What is your fee, and what does it cover? Get the structure in writing before you sign.
What out-of-pocket costs am I responsible for, and when? Filing fees, records, and experts add up - ask now.
What is the realistic range of outcomes? A good lawyer gives a range; a weak one promises the high end.
How long will this take? An honest estimate, with the assumptions stated.
What is my deadline, and is it at risk? Many estate planning matters carry hard filing deadlines.
How often will I hear from you? Set the communication cadence now.
What can I do to help my own case? The best lawyers will give you homework.
What is the worst-case outcome? A lawyer who refuses to discuss downside risk is selling you something.
What to bring to your Colorado Springs consultation
You will get more out of the first call if you arrive organized. For most estate planning matters, gather:
A short written timeline. Dates, names, and what happened, in order.
The key documents. Any contracts, letters, agreements, court orders, or filings you have received.
Your correspondence. Relevant emails, texts, or messages - and do not delete anything.
Any deadlines you know about. A court date, a signing deadline, or an agency notice.
Your questions. The 10 above are a good place to start.
If you are not sure whether something is relevant, bring it anyway. It is easier for a lawyer to set aside what does not matter than to chase down what you left at home.
Talk to a vetted Estate Planning attorney in Colorado Springs
Tell us about your situation. We'll match you with one of these firms or a similar one. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Frequently asked questions about estate planning lawyers in Colorado Springs
How much does an estate plan cost in Colorado Springs?
Most estate planning is flat-fee. A basic will package with powers of attorney and a living will commonly runs $300 to $1,000. A revocable living trust plan that avoids probate commonly runs $1,500 to $4,000 or more, depending on complexity and whether the firm funds the trust for you.
Do I need a trust, or is a will enough?
It depends. A young family with modest assets may be fine with a will, guardianship designations, and powers of attorney. A living trust is worth considering if you want to avoid probate, own real estate, have a blended family, or value privacy. A good lawyer will tell you honestly which fits your situation.
Does Colorado have an estate tax?
No. Colorado does not impose a state estate or inheritance tax, so for most families estate planning is about control and avoiding probate rather than reducing taxes. Very large estates may still face the federal estate tax, which a lawyer can address if it applies to you.
What documents should a complete plan include?
For most people: a will, often a revocable living trust, a financial (durable) power of attorney, a medical power of attorney, and a living will (advance directive). Colorado also allows beneficiary deeds to pass real estate directly. A lawyer tailors the mix to your family.
What happens if I die without a plan in Colorado?
Your estate passes under Colorado's intestacy statute, which decides who inherits based on family relationships — not your wishes — and the estate generally goes through probate. Without a will you also have no say over who serves as guardian for minor children, which the court would decide.
How often should I update my estate plan?
Revisit it after major life events — marriage, divorce, a new child, a death, a significant change in assets, or a move to a new state — and otherwise every few years. An out-of-date plan can be as troublesome as no plan at all, so ask each firm how they handle updates.
Can't I just use an online form?
You can, but Colorado has specific signing and witnessing rules, and a generic form often misses issues like trust funding, blended-family provisions, or special-needs planning. The cost of fixing a failed do-it-yourself plan after someone dies usually dwarfs what a lawyer would have charged to do it right.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one: How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? The answer tells you a lot. — The LawFirmSquare team
LawFirmSquare is a directory. We do not represent clients or refer cases for a fee.
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