Estate Planning Adviser in Colorado Springs, CO (2026)
Estate Planning Adviser in Colorado Springs, CO (2026)
Colorado Springs has grown rapidly over the past decade, driven by military installations, defense contractors, a booming tech sector, and an influx of residents from higher-cost metros. Colorado has no state estate tax and no inheritance tax, which provides a favorable baseline for wealth transfer. But the projected federal estate tax exemption sunset in 2026, the city’s large military and veteran population, and Colorado’s own trust and property transfer rules create planning needs that require local expertise.
Why You Need an Estate Planning Adviser in Colorado Springs
The projected federal estate tax exemption decrease — from ~$13.6 million per individual to roughly ~$7 million — will affect more families than many people expect. In Colorado Springs, where real estate values have risen significantly, a couple that owns a home, holds retirement accounts, carries life insurance, and perhaps owns a rental property or small business could find their combined estate above the reduced threshold.
Colorado Springs is home to Fort Carson, the U.S. Air Force Academy, Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base, and NORAD at Cheyenne Mountain. The resulting concentration of active-duty military, veterans, and defense-industry professionals creates a specific set of estate planning needs. Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI), Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) accounts, VA benefits, military pensions with survivor benefit plan (SBP) elections, and the Uniformed Services Former Spouses’ Protection Act all interact with estate planning in ways that general advisers may not understand. An adviser serving Colorado Springs must be fluent in these programs.
Colorado’s beneficiary deed (sometimes called a transfer-on-death deed) allows real property to pass directly to a named beneficiary at the owner’s death without going through probate. This is a straightforward tool, but it must be aligned with the overall estate plan. A beneficiary deed that names someone different from the trust beneficiaries, or that transfers property subject to a mortgage without coordination, can create legal and financial complications.
The Colorado Uniform Trust Code (CUTC), adopted in 2019, modernized the state’s trust law and established clearer rules for trust administration, modification, and disputes. An adviser working in Colorado Springs should understand how the CUTC affects trust creation and ongoing management, particularly the provisions around trustee duties, beneficiary notice requirements, and decanting (transferring assets from one trust to a new one with different terms).
Colorado is a common law property state, meaning assets are owned by the individual who acquired them. This affects trust funding, spousal rights, and the elective share available to a surviving spouse under Colorado law.
What to Look For in a Colorado Springs Estate Planning Adviser
A CFP designation paired with the Accredited Estate Planner (AEP) credential provides the right foundation. Look for advisers who are members of the Estate Planning Council of Colorado Springs or the Colorado Bar Association’s Trust and Estate Section (for those who are also attorneys).
Fee-only, fiduciary advisers are essential. In a market with a large military population, there has historically been aggressive marketing of insurance and annuity products to service members — a fee-only adviser provides a necessary counterweight.
For military families, confirm the adviser has specific experience with SGLI, TSP, SBP elections, and VA benefit coordination. These are not peripheral issues in Colorado Springs; they are central to most estate plans.
Average Estate Planning Adviser Fees in Colorado Springs
| Fee Type | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Hourly consultation | ~$200 – ~$400 per hour |
| Comprehensive estate plan (financial planning component) | ~$2,000 – ~$5,500 |
| Ongoing advisory retainer (includes estate plan updates) | ~$2,500 – ~$6,000 per year |
| Assets under management (AUM) for integrated wealth/estate planning | ~0.80% – ~1.25% annually |
Note: attorney fees for trust, will, and beneficiary deed preparation are separate. Expect ~$1,500 – ~$4,000 for a trust-based estate plan with a Colorado-licensed attorney. Military-specific planning elements may add to the cost.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Estate Planning Adviser
- Do you have experience with military estate planning, including SGLI, TSP, SBP, and VA benefit coordination? In Colorado Springs, this is a baseline competency, not a specialty.
- How are you preparing clients for the projected federal estate tax exemption sunset? Specific strategies and timelines are the minimum acceptable answer.
- Are you familiar with the Colorado Uniform Trust Code and how it affects trust creation and administration? The CUTC is relatively new, and not all advisers are current on its provisions.
- How do you coordinate beneficiary deeds with the broader estate plan? Misaligned transfer mechanisms create post-death disputes.
- Are you a fiduciary, and do you receive any commissions or referral fees? Full fee transparency is mandatory.
Key Takeaways
- Colorado has no state estate tax, but the projected federal exemption drop in 2026 will affect more Colorado Springs families than many anticipate, particularly given rising real estate values.
- The city’s large military and veteran population requires estate planning advisers with specific expertise in SGLI, TSP, SBP, and VA benefits.
- Colorado’s beneficiary deed and the Colorado Uniform Trust Code provide useful planning tools, but they must be integrated into a coordinated plan.
- Choose CFP/AEP-credentialed, fee-only advisers with military planning experience and strong local attorney networks.
Next Steps
For a foundational overview, read Estate Planning 101. To understand adviser fee structures, see Financial Adviser Fees Explained. If you need to assess your life insurance coverage as part of estate planning, review How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?. Use Compare Financial Advisers to find estate planning professionals in Colorado Springs.
This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Consult a licensed financial professional for your specific situation.