For more information about the author, click to view their website: Chayet & Danzo, LLC
In 2025, everyone needs an estate plan, regardless of their
socio-economic circumstances. A simple
estate plan will typically contain at least three documents; a durable medical
power of attorney and a durable financial power of attorney. These documents
give the authority to a person of your choice, to speak on your behalf on your medical
and financial issues if you’re not able to make necessary decisions due to
health issues. The third document, a
will, is a way to pass your property upon death to whom you wish.
A trust might be an option in your estate planning instead of or in
addition to a will. Trusts are useful estate planning tools that can accomplish
a variety of goals. They can help avoid probate, minimize taxes, and be used to
give property to minor or disabled loved ones. Trusts can be created during a
person's lifetime (Living Trusts) or at the person's death (Testamentary
Trusts). Some different types of Trusts from both categories are:
Living Trust
A person can transfer their assets to a Living Trust and as a trustee
continue using their assets as needed during their lifetime.
Tax Planning Trusts
Several different types of Living Trusts provide flexible alternatives
for minimizing capital gains and estate taxes, including the Charitable
Remainder Trust, Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust, Qualified Personal Residence
Trust, Grantor Retained Annuity Trust, and Grantor Retained Unitrust.
Testamentary Trusts
A person can create a Trust under a Will, called a Testamentary Trust,
which does not take effect until they are deceased.
Disability Trusts (also known as
Special Needs Trusts)
A Disability Trust is a type of Living Trust that allows a disabled
person under the age of 65 to use his/her own assets, other than for food and
shelter, for their special needs and keep public benefits, such
as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
3 reasons you may need a trust as part
of your estate plan
The types of assets you own is another important consideration. Three
typical reasons you might need a trust:
1.
A loved one cannot be trusted with a large financial gift or has special needs
If
you have concerns that a child does not have the financial skills to manage a financial gift, or the loved one
receives government benefits.
2.
You want to transfer complex assets in a thoughtful manner
Trusts can be
effective for keeping a vacation home or a closely held business in the family. For large charitable donations,
a trust allows you to leave a vision for how you would like the gift used.
3.
Limiting the potential for relationship-damaging fights is important
When you have worked
hard and been successful, a trust may be able to limit conflict, and the legal fees associated with
litigation.
Editor’s
Note: This article was submitted by Marco D. Chayet, Esq.
Marco is a partner in the
law firm Chayet & Danzo, LLC, and the Public Administrator for the 18th
Judicial District; he may be reached at 303-355-8500 or by email at
[email protected]
This is a
brief overview of the topic and should not be considered legal advice.
By Brandis Meeks Nov 2026 Quick answer: are high interest rates slowing home sales in Denver?Yes. With 30-year fixed mortgage rates sitting around 7.3% in October 2026, up from about 6.3% a year earlier, Denver metro buyers are pulling back and sellers are feeling it. The Colorado Association of Realtors reported that September 2026 closed sales in the Denver metro fell 18.7% from a year earlier and pending sales dropped 12.7%. The Denver metro housing market by the numbersHere is where the market stands as of late October 2026, using the most recent data released.What the numbers say: prices are drifting lower rather than collapsing, but volume is falling hard. Fewer buyers can qualify at 7%+ rates, so homes sit longer, sellers cut prices or pay concessions, and many listings expire with no sale at all.Figures reflect the latest published reports as of October 28, 2026. Market data is revised each month, so check the sources below for updates.Why high mortgage rates slow home salesThree forces are working together in the Denver metro.1. Monthly payments jump. On a home at the $565,000 metro median with 20% down ($452,000 loan), principal and interest at 7.32% is about $3,105 a month. At last year's 6.34% rate, the same loan was about $2,810. That is roughly $295 more per month, or about $3,500 a year, for the identical house. For buyers already stretched by Denver prices, that gap is often the difference between qualifying and not.2. The lock-in effect keeps sellers on the sidelines. Many Denver homeowners locked in mortgages at 3% to 4% during 2020 and 2021. Local agents quoted by the Denver Gazette have noted that moving to a similar home at today's rates can add $1,500 to $2,000 a month to the housing payment. Owners who don't have to sell stay put, which keeps inventory tight in some price ranges even while demand falls.3. Buyers get cautious and negotiate harder. When affordability shrinks, buyers wait, ask for repairs, and request concessions. In September, 64% of Denver metro sales included seller concessions and nearly half had price reductions. Homes that are dated, deferred-maintenance, or priced optimistically are hit hardest because they need a buyer who can both finance the purchase and absorb surprises at inspection.The result is a stalled market: fewer showings, longer days on market, and more listings that expire unsold.What this means for sellers in Denver and Surrounding CitiesThe slowdown is metro-wide, but it shows up differently depending on the home.Condos and townhomes are seeing the sharpest price pressure. The attached-home median fell 6.2% to $375,000 in September, and HOA dues make monthly payments even harder for buyers to absorb.Move-in-ready single-family homes in strong neighborhoods are still selling, but often with price cuts or concessions.Homes that need work in Aurora, Denver, Lakewood, Centennial, Littleton, Arvada, Thornton and other Front Range cities face the longest waits, because financed buyers and their lenders push back on condition.Inherited, tenant-occupied, hoarder, and storage-heavy properties are especially hard to list, since buyers must stomach cleanout costs on top of a 7% mortgage.If you list in this market, plan for a longer timeline, a possible price reduction, and repair negotiations after inspection. Carrying costs such as mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, and utilities keep running the whole time. About 45% of listings that left the market in recent REcolorado data did so without selling, so a listing is not a guaranteed sale.Your options when the market is slow1. List on the MLS and wait. This can net the highest price for a turnkey home, but expect longer marketing time, buyer concessions, and repair requests. Costs include agent commissions, staging, and repairs.2. Cut the price or offer concessions. Many Denver sellers are doing this, with nearly half of September sales including a price reduction. It can speed things up but lowers your net.3. Rent the home out or hold it. This works only if the numbers cover your payment, taxes, insurance, and maintenance, and you are comfortable being a landlord.4. Sell as-is to a local cash home buyer. If you need certainty, a fast timeline, or you don't want to fix, clean, or stage the home, a direct sale removes the financing risk that high rates create. A cash buyer doesn't depend on a mortgage approval, so rate swings can't cancel the deal.How The Property Buyers can helpThe Property Buyers is a Colorado home buying company based in Aurora, founded in 2008. We have an A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau. Plenty of 5 Star Google Reviews show why we are a trusted professional Cash Home Buyer. We buy houses throughout the Denver metro area:Get a No-Obligation Cash Offer for your homeAs-is condition. No repairs, no updates, no inspection haggling.No cleanout. Leave the furniture, belongings, and debris. We handle it.Close in as little as 10 business days, or on the date that fits your schedule.No agent commissions and no financing contingencies.Whether the house is inherited, tenant-occupied, in foreclosure trouble, or just not selling, call 720-650-7986 or visit thepropertybuyers.com to request a no-obligation cash offer. A cash offer may be lower than a fully renovated listing price, so compare it with your net after repairs, commissions, carrying costs, and time on the market.Frequently asked questionsAre high interest rates slowing home sales in Denver?Yes. Mortgage rates near 7.3% have cut buyer purchasing power, and the Colorado Association of Realtors reported Denver metro closed sales down 18.7% and pending sales down 12.7% year over year in September 2026.What is the mortgage rate in Colorado right now?Freddie Mac's national 30-year fixed average was 7.32% for the week of October 22, 2026, compared with 6.34% a year earlier. Colorado rates track the national average and vary by lender, credit score, and down payment.Are Denver home prices falling because of high rates?Prices are softening, not crashing. The Denver metro median price was $565,000 in September 2026, down 1.7% from a year earlier, and the attached-home median fell 6.2% to $375,000.Is it a good time to sell a house in Denver?It depends on your home and your timeline. Turnkey homes in good locations still sell, but sellers are giving more price reductions and concessions. If your home needs repairs or you need to sell quickly, selling as-is to a cash buyer can avoid the delays.Can I sell my Denver house as-is without cleaning it out?Yes. The Property Buyers buy houses as-is across the Denver metro with no cleanout required, so you can leave furniture and belongings behind.How fast can The Property Buyers close on a house?We can close in as little as 10 business days, or later if you need more time.How can I schedule a walk-through of my house?It's very easy: just call 720-650-7986 or visit thepropertybuyers.com to request a home walk-through and your no-obligation cash home offer.SourcesColoradoBiz: Colorado home sales fall as buyers pull back in the Denver metro (September 2026 data, Colorado Association of Realtors)Freddie Mac: Primary Mortgage Market SurveyMile High Title Guy: Denver metro expired listings, September 2026 (REcolorado data)Mortgage News Daily: NAR existing-home sales, September 2026Trading Economics: U.S. existing home salesDenver Gazette: Denver realtors say rates, not prices, are holding back the market (June 4, 2026)Denver Metro Association of Realtors market trendsPayment comparisons are our own calculation: 30-year fixed, 20% down on a $565,000 home, principal and interest only, excluding taxes, insurance, and HOA dues.
When it comes to various housing and care communities for older adults, one of the most common misconceptions is that assisted living and nursing homes are essentially the same thing.The simple answer is, they are not. Heres how they are different:Nursing Homes Provide Skilled Medical CareNursing homes are designed for individuals who require ongoing medical supervision and skilled nursing services.Residents may:-Have complex medical conditions-Need rehabilitation after hospitalization-Require around-the-clock nursing care-Depend on specialized healthcare services, labs, medical oversight and moreMedical staff are available 24 hours a day to provide clinical care and monitor residents health in a nursing home.Assisted Living Focuses on IndependenceBy contrast, Assisted Living emphasizes lifestyle, independence, and support.Residents typically:-Live in private apartments or suites-Participate in community activities, programs and events-Receive assistance with activities of daily living, but not necessarily around the clock-Maintain greater control over their daily routinesFor many older adults, assisted living offers the right balance between support and independence. Staff provide care and guidance, but not so much that the individual is bedridden, highly monitored or restricted to a hospital-like setting.At Kavod Senior Life, Assisted Living residents enjoy the best parts of living as Kavod lifts the struggles and isolation of individual home life outside a community. Benefits include:-Three meals a day in a family-style dining environment-Activities such as music, lectures and outings (at no extra cost!)-Housekeeping, laundry and bed-making-Medication monitoring-Five wellness checks per day-On-site access to geriatric medical clinics, physical/occupational and speech therapy, and a variety of health clinics-Available add-on services (oxygen management, incontinence care and escorting to appointments around campus)-Affordable rents that are 66% below market rate in the Denver area!If youre wondering whether a nursing home or Assisted Living is right for you or your loved one, consider the tips above to help you make that decision. We are always happy to discuss your options with no obligation. Contact us today for assistance!Created with the assistance of ChatGPT
For years, home was a place that felt more like a memory than a reality for one senior who spent most of his time moving between hospitals and rehab centers. As someone relying on Health First Colorado, his healthcare journey was often exhausting and repetitive until he found a way to bridge the gap between needing help and wanting to stay in his own favorite chair.A Lifeline through Colorado Medicaid Remote Support ServicesEverything changed when he started a new routine that combined four hours of daily help from a caregiver with the around the clock security of Colorado Medicaid remote support services. While his caregiver focused on making sure his home was clean and his meals were delicious, the remote support team acted like a quiet guardian watching over him through the day and night. By using simple devices to check his blood pressure and oxygen levels, he was never truly alone, and his remote coordinators became familiar voices who checked in on him with a friendly call every single day.Technology that Catches the Small DetailsThe true value of this hybrid care became clear when his daily vitals showed a trend that no one would have noticed otherwise. His remote team saw his blood pressure was dropping to a level that made him feel lightheaded, and they immediately coordinated with his doctor to adjust his medication before he could have a dangerous fall. Even during a sudden bout with an infection, he was able to use his emergency button to keep everyone informed while he was being helped by paramedics, ensuring that his care team was right there with him every step of the way.Six Months of Staying Home After a lifetime of being told he needed to be in a facility, he has now spent six months thriving in his own home with only one very short hospital stay. This story proves that when we combine human heart with the power of technology, staying home is not just a dream but a reality that is accessible through programs like Colorado Medicaid.
Chayet & Danzo LLC is a client focused elder law and estate planning practice serving families and individuals throughout the state of Colorado. At our firm, we have a dedicated team of highly skilled attorneys who will work hard to ensure that you receive the best legal services possible combined with professional courtesy. We specialize in the needs of seniors, disabled individuals and their families and offer products and services that go beyond the conventional legal offerings. From counselling and representation to planning and education, it is our goal to assist you through lifes critical stages.Elder law is at the core of what we do at Chayet & Danzo LLC. Elderly people and disabled individuals and their families often face many legal and financial issues that we can help clarify and solve. We assist seniors and their families with:Long Term Care: If you or a loved needs in home care, assisted living or skilled nursing facility we can help to put a plan in place for quality of life as well as preservation of assets.Medicaid Planning: It can be difficult to understand the rules of Medicaid eligibility and the services that are available. We work with you to identify potential strategies that will allow you to receive maximum Medicaid benefits while still preserving your financial independence.Guardianships and Conservatorships: When a loved one is mentally incompetent and cannot make decisions on his or her own, we assist families in seeking for guardianship or conservatorship to protect the interest of the patient.Special Needs Planning: We assist families in the creation of trusts and other legal vehicles in order to meet the needs of loved ones with disabilities without jeopardizing government benefits.Elder Abuse and Exploitation: Our attorneys defend vulnerable seniors and represent them in cases of elder abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation, to protect them and preserve their dignity.Through the legal and financial issues that come with aging or disability, we ensure that families have the information they need to make the right decisions for their loved ones and their resources.Chayet & Danzo LLC also provides individualized estate planning services in conjunction with our elder law expertise. We realize that estate planning is about more than preparing the documents; it is about guaranteeing a sound future for you and your family. Our estate planning services include:Wills and Trusts: We also ensure that your wills and trusts are properly worded and executed in a manner that is suitable for your case and will ensure that your wishes are met, as well as your properties go as you wish.Powers of Attorney: Our attorneys assist in the execution of durable power of attorney for financial and healthcare powers of attorney so that you dont have to worry about who will take care of your affairs in case you are incapacitated.Advance Directives and Living Wills: We help people prepare advance directives to document their treatment choices in the event that they are unable to make decisions for themselves.Probate and Estate Administration: It is never easy to lose a loved one. We offer comforting instructions on how to navigate through the probate and estate administration process and help families to conclude the processes quickly and properly.Asset Protection Strategies: We assist clients in protecting their assets from a variety of potential risks including lawsuits, long term care, estate taxes and more to ensure that wealth is passed down to future generations.We ensure that we understand your specific objectives and family situation before recommending any estate plans to you.At Chayet & Danzo LLC, we pride ourselves in offering our clients quality services. We know that every client is unique and needs individual attention and real solutions to his or her problems.Our team works hard to provide affordable legal services and at the same time, maintains high standards of professionalism and compassion.Elder law and estate planning can be confusing and expensive; it can also be emotionally difficult. That is why we pride ourselves in forming strong relationships with our clients and being their legal advisors throughout the process.Chayet & Danzo LLC is based in Denver, CO and serves clients statewide. No matter if you are in the middle of the city or in a rural area, our team is ready to provide legal assistance that is close and reliable.Our attorneys at Chayet & Danzo LLC have substantial experience in elder law and estate planning and are well-placed to protect the rights of seniors, disabled individuals and their families. We always proceed with caution when handling any case because we understand the emotional and personal issues that are often involved. We are a law firm that does not only provide legal documents but also provides information, information and legal representation to ensure that all your concerns are addressed. Furthermore, we are committed to offering legal services that are of high quality and yet reasonably priced. If you are interested in planning for your future and the future of your loved ones, then do not hesitate to contact us at 1-866-873-6596 or visit our website at coloradoelderlaw.com to schedule a consultation.We are here to provide the comfort of having expert elder law and estate planning services. At Chayet & Danzo LLC, your familys future is our familys future.
We are a client-focused elder law and estate planning firm serving all of Colorado. Our attorneys provide the highest quality legal services and professionalism, while representing our clients in a cost-effective manner. Meeting the needs of our elder law clients depends on moving beyond conventional legal work to offering practical assistance in planning, counseling, educating, and advocating for the senior or disabled client and their families. Call Toll Free 1-866-873-6596.
We are a client-focused elder law and estate planning firm serving all of Colorado. Our attorneys provide the highest quality legal services and professionalism, while representing our clients in a cost-effective manner. Meeting the needs of our elder law clients depends on moving beyond conventional legal work to offering practical assistance in planning, counseling, educating, and advocating for the senior or disabled client and their families. Call Toll Free 1-866-873-6596.