Buck Law

03/08/2024

//This week I’ve chatted with several families about starting the estate planning process. As I get back into the office full time, my first order of business I will be working through our waitlist of estate planning clients. It will be several months before I am taking new clients, but regardless of my schedule, you can start the process now!

▫️Create an inventory of your assets — Write it on a piece of paper or put it in a word or excel document. Before we meet with clients we have them prepare an asset inventory that describes the type of asset and its approximate value. This helps us determine the best plan based on a clients particular situation and needs, but for the client (and the client’s family) this simple act can provide great relief and clarity to know what the asset profile looks like.

▫️Create an important document folder/file/box — In one (secure) location, compile all of the important information that a loved one would need to know about your life and assets. What could this include? Wills, powers of attorney, life insurance policies/numbers, health and property insurance information, titles to real estate and vehicles, loan or mortgage documents, promissory notes owed to you, investment and banking account information (institution, account numbers, owners), retirement accounts, business documents (LLC, corporation, partnership agreements), contracts and leases, other court documents, personal property memorandum, and the list goes on. In probate, typically the most difficult task for a personal representative is identifying and collecting all of the asset information of a decedent. In some cases this can take YEARS. Make organization a priority for yourself during your life, and for loved ones that will need to know later.

▫️If you want to get on our waitlist for estate planning, we will also have you fill out a questionnaire. This questionnaire asks questions about your family, life, assets and goals. It not only helps me identify legal issues that may need addressed, but it helps you understand and think through the many decisions you will need to make as it relates to your estate. Let me know if this list is helpful!

03/01/2024

//In April of 2023 my husband had a grand mal seizure and was transported to our rural emergency room. Within a couple of hours we learned that he had a large mass on his brain. A few hours after that, he was flown by helicopter to Swedish Medical Center in Denver. Total shock. Complete whirlwind of events. The next thing we knew, he was scheduled for brain surgery. The surgeon expected to take 7 hours. The consent form for brain surgery 🤯… you can imagine. This is about the time my mind went into complete overdrive and I started making lists and checking boxes for things that needed to be done and information that needed to be gathered before Brady’s surgery.

▫️Are our wills in place and are they up to date? Yes.
▫️Do we still agree on guardians for our children? Yes.
▫️Do I have access to our Medical Powers of Attorney and Financial Powers of Attorney while I’m on the hospital? Yes.
▫️Do I know what and where our assets are? Yes.
▫️Do I have access to financial and investment accounts? Yes.
▫️Are the beneficiaries correctly listed on our life insurance policies? Yes.
▫️Do I know passwords and do we have a plan for Brady’s business? No.

Thank the Lord we had been diligent to get many of these planning items completed before we were in an emergency situation. Can you even imagine having to make the many decisions that are needed for a Last Will and Testament when the only thing you can think of is if you or your spouse will come out of surgery the same? It’s heavy, I know. But the relief we both felt knowing the only thing we had to do was communicate with Brady’s team was immense.

Often when we think of estate planning we think it only applies to our parents or grandparents. That it’s a task that “has been put off this long, what will another few months or years matter.” Or “I don’t really have any assets” when in reality you own several assets and have a family. Let our experience be a cautionary tale. Don’t wait for the cancer diagnosis or accident. Approach estate planning from a place of power so you can make sound decisions and have peace if the unexpected happens!

07/19/2021

Last week I took a poll to see what type of educational content you were seeking. Surprise surprise! Here are the results:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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》Business: 49%⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
》Estate Planning: 51%⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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If we are being honest, I truly thought estate planning would get left in the dust! It makes me so hopeful that there is a shared interest for it. ✨⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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So what does it looks like when you receive your estate plan from Buck Law? Here is a preview of our estate planning portfolios. Beautiful + functional, with room to hold all of your most important documents! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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04/20/2021

// Since we officially got into our HQ office in February, it seems like we have been keeping our nose to the grindstone and settling into our new space and community. Now as we approach the end of April, it's time to lift our head up and make plans for the next few months...Yay!

At 34 weeks it may be a little late, but here is the .law announcement that Baby Boy Buck should be making his arrival at the end of May!

New business, new mom (we like to be challenged around here!)... but thankfully we've been putting in place a great team to be able to continue to provide service to our clients in May and June! We love our rural community and appreciate your patience as we navigate this new normal!

Cheers to new adventures!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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02/07/2021

⫸ .law signage is officially up and we couldn’t LOVE it more! 👏🏼🍾Thank you

12/10/2020

Thank you to Cindy McLoud and her gift shop Treasure for designing and setting up this gorgeous Christmas tree in our Eads office! We are so thankful for our local business owners! Kiowa County residents, if you still need decorations or gifts, stop by!

11/18/2020

SAVE THE DATE: November 22 - 3pm
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If you’ve been meaning to talk to your family about important topics like your will, preserving family stories or funeral arrangements, don’t miss this FREE WEBINAR!
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We’ve teamed up with some incredible panelists from and to bring you the insight you need to start these conversations!
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This webinar will be moderated by President and Administrator . Get the information you need just in time for meaningful holiday conversations.
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Register here 👉🏼👉🏼👉🏼 https://www.crowdcast.io/e/legacy-conversations/register

09/16/2020

Imagine that you just started that new that business you have been dreaming about for years. Your attorney advised you on the best way to form your business and put in place the client/vendor contracts that you need to operate. You are confident that you are legally protected..⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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OR ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Image that you finally met with your attorney, designed your estate plan, signed it, and just received the estate planning portfolio with everything perfectly organized and ready to be stored. Your assets, your family, and your legacy are protected..⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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In one word, explain how that would make you feel! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Mine would be ⫸⫸ REASSURED!

09/15/2020

https://bucklawoffice.com/blog/three-reasons-your-diy-contract-could-hurt-your-business

Do your business contracts say what you think they do? Check out this week's blog to learn about potential pitfalls your contracts may have!

Attorney and Counselor