Passing Down The Legacy – What is the state of your Estate, Part II?

By Bruce Fickenscher

Extension Agent

Helping families learn about the steps in estate planning is the topic of two workshops presented by Colorado State University Cooperative Extension Positive Focus Team on February 9 in Lamar in cooperation with Lamar Community College and February 10 in Burlington at the Windmill Restaurant. More information can be found on the Positive Focus web site: www.csu-positive-focus.org.

Norm Dalsted, Ph.D. is a Colorado State University professor and Cooperative Extension Farm & Ranch Management Economist in the Department of Agriculture and Resource Economics. He has teaching, research, and extension responsibilities in the areas of agricultural finance, production economics, and farm and ranch management. In the November workshop Dr. Dalsted discussed the need to start estate planning early, as well as some of the psychological barriers to planning many people face. During the Part II presentation in February an estate lawyer will accompany Dr. Dalsted. Topics will include partnerships, up-to-date information on exemptions, such as gift, special use, generation skipping taxes, long term health insurance options. Participants are asked to bring the following information (1) What is your objective (goal) of your estate plan (2) the value of your estate including liabilities. Families desiring individual help may make an appointment to meet with Dr. Dalsted and the estate lawyer after 4:00 p.m.

Colorado State University Extension offices in Baca, Prowers, Kiowa, Cheyenne and Kit Carson County are jointly sponsoring the workshops.

Dr. Dalsted will be at LCC in room 121 of the Trustees Building in Lamar on Monday, February 9 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. Cost of the workshop is $5 per individual or $7 a couple (two people from the same family) and includes workshop materials and refreshments. Please register by Wednesday, February 4 by calling the Southeast Area Cooperative Extension office in Lamar at (719) 336-7734 or mailing in your registration to: Southeast Area Cooperative Extension, Passing Down the Legacy, 1001 South Main, Lamar, CO 81052. Checks should be made payable to Southeast Area Extension Fund. Families and individuals who desire one-on-one help with estate planning need to make an appointment after 4:00 p.m.

Dr. Dalsted will be in Burlington at the Windmill Restaurant on Tuesday, February 10 from 9:00 a.m.-12 noon. Cost of the workshop is $5 per person, which includes all workshop materials and refreshments. Please register by Wednesday, February 4 by calling the Golden Plains Area Cooperative Extension office in Burlington at 719-346-5571 or mailing in your registration to: Colorado State University Cooperative Extension – Golden Plains Area Extension, Passing Down the Legacy, 251 16^th Street, Suite 101, Burlington, CO 80807. Checks should be made payable to Extension Activity Fund. Individuals and families desiring to work one-on one with their estate plans need to make an appointment after 12:00 noon.