Colorado Springs Trust Administration Attorney
Over 20 Years Guiding Colorado Springs Trustees & Beneficiaries
When a grantor passes away or becomes incapacitated, someone must step in to manage and distribute the trust’s assets according to their instructions. That responsibility falls on the trustee, and it carries significant legal obligations. At The Gasper Law Group, our estate planning practice has served Colorado Springs families for over 20 years. Our trust administration representation is part of a broader practice that includes wills and trusts, probate, elder law, special needs planning, asset protection, and military estate planning.
Trust administration isn’t a single event. It’s an ongoing process, sometimes lasting months, that requires careful attention to fiduciary duty, accurate recordkeeping, and clear communication with beneficiaries. Whether you’re a successor trustee working through your first administration or a beneficiary with questions about how the trust is being managed, we’re here to help.
If you’re navigating trust administration in Colorado Springs, call us at (719) 212-2448 or reach out through our contact form to schedule a consultation.
Accessible Legal Support for Colorado Springs Trustees
Trust administration can stretch across many months, which means legal fees can accumulate in ways that feel unpredictable. We address that directly: The Gasper Law Group offers low retainers and interest-free payment plans so the cost of sound legal guidance doesn’t become its own burden. Our focus is on helping clients first, and our fee structure reflects that.
Our location near major military installations also shapes how we serve clients. Successor trustees who are active-duty servicemembers, or who are managing a family trust around a deployment schedule, face a particular challenge: a trustee’s duties don’t pause for military obligations. We’ve built our practice to accommodate those realities, with flexible scheduling and a working knowledge of the legal tools available to trustees who can’t always be present in Colorado Springs.
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Committed to the Community
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Helping People First
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Offering Payment Plans
Colorado Trustee Duties Under the Uniform Trust Code
Colorado’s Uniform Trust Code, codified in C.R.S. Title 15, Article 5, Part 8, defines the legal standards every trustee must meet. These aren’t aspirational guidelines. They’re enforceable duties, and falling short can expose a trustee to personal liability.
The core duties codified in Part 8 include:
- Good faith administration (§15-5-801): The trustee must administer the trust in good faith, in accordance with its terms and applicable law.
- Loyalty (§15-5-802): The trustee must act solely in the interests of the beneficiaries, not in the trustee’s own interest.
- Impartiality (§15-5-803): When a trust has multiple beneficiaries, the trustee must act impartially, balancing their respective interests.
- Prudent administration (§15-5-804): The trustee must administer the trust as a prudent person would, considering the trust’s purposes and the interests of its beneficiaries.
Under §15-5-813, a trustee must notify qualified beneficiaries within 60 days of accepting the trusteeship and provide an annual report describing trust assets, their market values, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, and trustee compensation. A trustee who breaches these duties can be held personally liable for resulting losses and, under Colorado common law, may be required to pay the beneficiary’s attorney fees. (Buder v. Sartore, 774 P.2d 1383, Colo. 1989.)
Trust Administration vs. Probate Administration
When settling a Colorado Springs family member’s estate, you may be dealing with a trust, a will, or both. These two paths operate differently, and understanding the distinction helps trustees and beneficiaries know what to expect.
Trust Administration
Trust administration is a private, trustee-led process governed by the trust document and the Colorado Uniform Trust Code. It generally proceeds without court supervision. Unless a dispute requires judicial intervention, a trustee works directly with beneficiaries and any advisors without filing petitions or waiting on court calendars.
The trust instrument is the starting point for determining a trustee’s specific powers and any limitations on them. Where the document is silent, Colorado law grants broad default authority: under §15-5-815(1)(b), a trustee has all powers over trust property that an unmarried competent owner has over individually owned property. That’s a wide grant, and it’s why the trustee’s fiduciary duties are taken so seriously.
Probate Administration
Probate is the court-supervised process of validating a will and distributing a decedent’s assets. It’s more time-consuming than trust administration in most cases, and it becomes part of the public record. Families who used a revocable living trust to avoid probate may still have a will that handles assets left outside the trust, commonly called a pour-over will.
When a person leaves both a trust and a will, a trustee and a personal representative (the estate’s probate fiduciary) may both be active at the same time, sometimes within the same family. These are distinct legal roles with different duties. Our attorneys handle both trust administration and probate matters, so clients don’t have to coordinate between separate firms.
Trust Administration for Military Families in Colorado Springs
Serving as a successor trustee while on active duty, or managing a family trust around a deployment schedule, creates a real practical tension: a trustee’s legal duties to account, report, and communicate with beneficiaries continue regardless of where the trustee is stationed. Those duties don’t pause for a deployment, and beneficiaries have the right to receive their annual reports and distribution proposals on schedule.
Colorado law provides one tool that helps. Under §15-5-807, a trustee may delegate functions that a prudent trustee of comparable skills could properly delegate, including investment management. For a servicemember trustee, thoughtful delegation backed by proper legal documentation can keep the trust running without requiring constant personal involvement. Our dedicated military estate planning practice means we understand how to structure that delegation correctly and how to coordinate trust administration around military obligations. If you’re a servicemember trustee in the Colorado Springs area, we can help you build an administration approach that can hold up whether you’re home or deployed.
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Junior League of Colorado Springs
The Junior League of Colorado Springs has served the Pikes Peak region as both an initiator of projects as well as a ready partner to other non-profit organizations to address needs in the community.
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What is the Difference Between Formal and Informal Probate?
Informal and formal probate both refer to the kinds of procedures that are used to appoint a representative for an individual to handle various matters and accept a will for probate. The most commonly used of the two is informal probate, which is the least difficult to enact if assets are straightforward and the parties involved are in agreement with each other.
However, formal probate will be required under certain circumstances, such as when:
- There are issues with a will
- Heirs are missing or unknown
- Heirs are still minors
- The estate is insolvent, i.e., debts exceed assets owned
- There are disputes or there are likely to be disputes among heirs
- Problems are expected with the administration
The informal probate process will entail presenting an application to a registrar as opposed to a judge. Registrars then approve the estate and ensure completion of all paperwork, but won’t be involved once they have approved the estate.
Formal probate, on the other hand, involves a probate attorney. The formal process can be more complicated and involve many steps, which is why it’s best to consult with a probate attorney at The Gasper Law Group who can walk you through formal probate in Colorado.
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Can You Avoid Probate in Colorado?
Yes, you can avoid probate in Colorado by making a living trust, which will prevent any asset you own from going to probate courts, including bank accounts, real estate, and more. You can do so by creating a trust document that names a specific individual to serve as a successor trustee following your death. You will then need to transfer ownership of your property to yourself as the trustee identified in the trust.
You can also avoid probate in Colorado through:
- Joint ownership of property
- Payable-on-death designations for bank accounts
- Transfer-on-death real estate deeds
- Transfer-on-death registration for securities
- Simplification of probate procedures for small estates
Set up an initial consultation with our office today. Discuss your case with our Colorado Springs Lawyers at
(719) 212-2448 or complete our contact form.
How We Approach Trust Administration Representation
Every trust administration engagement starts with reviewing the trust instrument. The document defines the trustee’s specific powers, any restrictions on those powers, the terms for distributions, and the grantor’s intentions. Colorado law fills gaps where the document is silent, but the trust itself is the governing authority. We read it carefully before advising on anything.
From there, we support the trustee through the accounting and reporting cycle, the beneficiary notification requirements, and the distribution process. If a trust administration becomes contested, our attorneys handle probate litigation as well, so we can represent the trustee or beneficiary without handing the matter to another firm.
Clients across Colorado Springs and Southern Colorado have trusted The Gasper Law Group with some of the most consequential decisions of their lives. The reviews below reflect our commitment to clear communication, practical guidance, and putting clients’ needs first.
Start Your Trust Administration Consultation
Trust administration runs on a legal timeline. The sooner a trustee understands their duties and gets the administration on solid footing, the less exposure they can carry. Our low retainers and interest-free payment plans are designed to make that first step straightforward, and our experience with military families means we can work around schedules that other firms can’t accommodate.
Call The Gasper Law Group at (719) 212-2448 or use the contact form on this page to schedule a consultation about your trust administration matter in Colorado Springs.
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"If you need legal help use Gasper, ask for Christine I am thankful I did!!!"I don't write many reviews! Gasper Law Group proved to be worthy of my highest recommendation. Everyone at some time will need some legal service, but where to go. I want you to know Gasper Law Group can help you save what you might stand to lose. I really want you to know Christine S. is the finest Family Law Attorney you will find. Christine is experienced, committed to her clients, and will help save what whats most important to you. I would so like the leadership of Gasper Law Group to know how fortunate they are to have a team member of her Caliber. If you need legal help use Gasper, and ask for Christine I am thankful I did!!!- Eric D.
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"The professionalism, guidance, and candor I’ve received from each person in this law firm has been beyond reproach."
I’m not one to have an extensive experience with law firms or lawyers and court in general. However, the professionalism, guidance, and candor I’ve received from each person in this law firm have been beyond reproach. Anytime, I mean, anytime, I’ve had a question about my case and the way forward, I was met with a friendly and constructive conversation about my case. There was never a doubt in my mind, that I made the right choice when I selected this law firm to represent me. Caryn and Stacie have been a wonderful blessing to my life and my legal proceedings. If you are looking for a no-BS law firm that has a significant reputation in the Springs area, I absolutely recommend this one. Even though I hope to not have to deal with this again, fingers crossed and every lucky charm, I’d trust this law firm with my representation to handle the hard stuff and give me ease with court proceedings. Thank you all for what you do and have done for me, my family, and my career. Bless you all.
- Steve S. -
"I highly recommend you use them to make your life easier. I couldn’t ask for a better team!"I used the Gasper Law Group when I was going through my divorce and child custody case. I got the outcome I wanted, Carrie Kelly and Kimberly Lucas made my life 10x easier considering i didn’t know what I was doing. They were patient, and caring and even made me laugh a few times. I highly recommend you use them to make your life easier. I couldn’t ask for a better team! I’m now happily divorced and got my kiddo 50/50! You guys rock and if anything comes up in the future, I’ll be sure to use you guys! Thanks so much gasper law group for the fast and professional services!- Micheala E.
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"My charges were dropped and we walked away with all parental rights/custody and a restraining order against the other party."Caryn Adams and her team are hands down the BEST. I don't think I would have made it through what I went through without her by my side. My charges were dropped and we walked away with all parental rights/custody and a restraining order against the other party.- Avarie J.
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"Don’t have much hope? Leave it to Caryn she will change that."I dug myself a deep hole and didn’t have much hope or luck with the attorney I used before. I called Gasper law group and Caryn Adams was my attorney that took charge of everything. I couldn’t have asked for anything better the outcome she made possible is everything I wanted. She is great at her job and takes cases seriously … don’t have much hope leave it to Caryn she will change that. Thanks Gasper law group you’re the best!- Mike L.
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"Thank you so much! You helped complete our family and we are forever grateful."Christine, Kris, and Ebony are amazing and compassionate. We enjoyed every interaction. Gasper Law firm keeps appropriate communication and not in excess which keeps our cost low. We are so very grateful. Even if an unexpected turn in our guardianship hearing they remained diligent to ensure things were done in a timely manner. Thank you so much! You helped complete our family and we are forever grateful.- Misty M.
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"A courteous, respectful, and efficient group"Highly professional team of attorneys and paralegal staff who work hard to reach the best outcomes for their clients. A courteous, respectful, and efficient group in all phases and aspects of due diligence, and discovery with effective preparation of cases entrusted to them. I recommend them highly and without reservation in all areas of the law in which they are eminently qualified.- Salah H.
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"Excellent care and representation"The Gasper Law Group took great care of me throughout my legal situation and constantly kept me in the loop. Couldn't ask for better representation!- Ryan L.
Our FAQ
Have questions? We are here to help. Still have questions or can't find the answer you need? Give us a call at 719-212-2448 today!
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Junior League of Colorado Springs
The Junior League of Colorado Springs has served the Pikes Peak region as both an initiator of projects as well as a ready partner to other non-profit organizations to address needs in the community.
-
What is the Difference Between Formal and Informal Probate?
Informal and formal probate both refer to the kinds of procedures that are used to appoint a representative for an individual to handle various matters and accept a will for probate. The most commonly used of the two is informal probate, which is the least difficult to enact if assets are straightforward and the parties involved are in agreement with each other.
However, formal probate will be required under certain circumstances, such as when:
- There are issues with a will
- Heirs are missing or unknown
- Heirs are still minors
- The estate is insolvent, i.e., debts exceed assets owned
- There are disputes or there are likely to be disputes among heirs
- Problems are expected with the administration
The informal probate process will entail presenting an application to a registrar as opposed to a judge. Registrars then approve the estate and ensure completion of all paperwork, but won’t be involved once they have approved the estate.
Formal probate, on the other hand, involves a probate attorney. The formal process can be more complicated and involve many steps, which is why it’s best to consult with a probate attorney at The Gasper Law Group who can walk you through formal probate in Colorado.
-
Can You Avoid Probate in Colorado?
Yes, you can avoid probate in Colorado by making a living trust, which will prevent any asset you own from going to probate courts, including bank accounts, real estate, and more. You can do so by creating a trust document that names a specific individual to serve as a successor trustee following your death. You will then need to transfer ownership of your property to yourself as the trustee identified in the trust.
You can also avoid probate in Colorado through:
- Joint ownership of property
- Payable-on-death designations for bank accounts
- Transfer-on-death real estate deeds
- Transfer-on-death registration for securities
- Simplification of probate procedures for small estates
Why Choose The Gasper Law Group?
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Committed to the Community
-
Helping People First
-
Offering Payment Plans