Legal Solutions for You,
Your Family & Your Business
Find a Lawyer >
Wills, Trusts & Estates lawyers serving El Paso County, CO >
Larry R. Gaddis
Back to Search Results
Larry R. Gaddis
Gaddis, Kin, Herd & Craw, P.C.
118 S. Wahsatch Ave.
Suite 100
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Phone: (719) 471-3848 | Fax: (719) 471-0317
http://www.gaddiskinherd.com
Expert Counsel, Intricate Strategies and Peace of Mind
Legal Topic
Wills, Trusts & Estates
Preferred New Clients
We draft estate plans for clients ranging from simple non-tax planning wills to those with complex estate planning needs such as blended families, disabled family members and family wealth preservation issues. We also advise clients in the handling of estates and trusts both simple and complex.
Sub-Categories
Wills, Trusts & Estates
- Nolo Document Review
- Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender (LGBT) Rights
- Annuities
- Auto Accident & Property Claims
- Bad Faith
- Life Insurance
- Charitable Giving
- Charitable Trusts
- Drafting Trusts
- Drafting Wills
- Estate Administration
- Estate Planning
- Living Trusts
- Living Wills
- Probate
- Asset Protection
- Guardianship
- Power of Attorney
- Business Succession Planning
- Special Needs Trust
- Supplemental Needs Trust
- Revocable Trust & Irrevocable Trust
Bar Admissions
CO, Oct 1969
Bar Number: 1291
Other Court Admissions
Colorado State and Federal Courts including the U.S. Supreme Court.
Association Memberships
American Bar Association, Colorado Bar Association, El Paso County Bar Association, National Association of Estate Planners and Councils, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.
Continuing Education
I teach continuing legal education seminars on ethics and attend continuing legal education seminars on the topics of estate planning, trust and probate administration and other related topics. I always exceed the required amount of continuing education hours.
Papers and Publications
No, other than the materials for the continuing legal education seminars.
Example Cases
Most of the cases I handle are estate planning cases where I meet with a client, determine what the client's objectives and assets are, discuss alternatives and then arrive at a plan. Usually this will involve drafting documents that the client will review, approve and execute.
The other most common type of case I handle would be estate and/or trust administration, typically following the death of a client. I would then meet with the family or the representative, determine what disposition is called for in the will or the trust, determine with the representative what assets need to be dealt with, come up with a plan to deal with them and then assist the representative to carry out the disposition.
Education
Degree:
B.A.
School:
University of Colorado
City:
Boulder
State:
CO
Year:
1963
Honors:
Pi Sigma Alpha, Political Science Honorary Society
Focus and Accomplishments:
International Affairs specializing in Latin America
Degree:
Juris Doctor
School:
University of Colorado
City:
Boulder
State:
CO
Year:
1969
Honors:
Bureau of National Affairs Award
Focus and Accomplishments:
Acquiring the skills to be able to practice law effectively and accomplish my goals
Number of Attorneys
4
State Licensed In
Colorado
Firm Focus and History
Our firm was established in 1973. For the past 35+ years we have been serving the people of Colorado Springs and the surrounding area.
Our firm works with individuals and small businesses with all types of legal problems facing them. I handle all of our estate planning, wills, trusts probate and other estate issues as well as small business matters. James W. Kin handles real estate and commercial litigation as well as small business matters. Thomas J. Herd and Gary S. Craw handle personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death, insurance bad faith and other civil litigation cases. We do not try and handle everything . If it is an area that we do not handle, we will refer you to attorneys who we feel are competent in the area you need.
Previous Employment Summary
Prior to 1973, I served as Staff Attorney and then Director of Pikes Peak Legal Services and subsequently Juvenile Referee for the 4th Judicial District of Colorado.
Activities and Awards
A-V Rated by Martindale-Hubbell; Pre-eminent Attorney designation by Martindale- Hubbell; Chosen as a 2009 Super Lawyer State of Colorado; Appointed by the Governor to the Limited Gaming Commission for the State of Colorado; Immediate Past President of the El Paso County Bar Association; Past President of the El Paso County Bar Probate Section; Past President of the Colorado Springs Estate Planning Council; Treasurer Colorado Legal Services; Past President and founding member Pikes Peak Community Foundation; Past President Colorado Springs Community Trust; Past President Colorado Springs School Board of Directors and Past President Colorado Springs School Foundation; Appointed by the Governor to the Judicial Review Commission for the 4th Judicial District; Adjunct Professor at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I appreciate clients who have taken the time to educate themselves on the legal issues involved in estate planning and estate administration. Very often the client is aware of facts that I have not been made aware of and they can be most helpful in bringing questions to my attention that may impact the planning.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I am willing to do so, but I charge for the time I spend. Unfortunately, my experience is that the amount of time I have to take to review documents prepared by my clients will often end up costing the client more than if I undertake to prepare the documents myself.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I am willing to do so and especially in estate administration, I encourage the clients to perform as many of the tasks as they are comfortable doing. If clients can handle some tasks themselves, the estate can save significant amounts of money.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
My decision to become a lawyer came about while I was serving in the Peace Corps in Bolivia. I determined that the most effective way to help people and be of service after my tour of duty was to become a lawyer.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
As a lawyer, I have been very active serving on numerous charitable boards and in various capacities in my local and state bar associations. I enjoy working with people to solve problems and have been fortunate that my work life has allowed me to do so.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
As a lawyer I have been fortunate in that I have been able to practice in a number of areas. Over the years, I discovered that the estate planning and administration areas of law have sufficient complexity. I continue to learn new things and most of my clients are people who are intelligent and comfortable to work with.
What do you like best about your career?
I like the clients and the other attorneys I work with on a daily basis. I also enjoy the intellectual challenges that I encounter.
Tell us about your law firm:
My assistant Angelika Bush has been with me for over 14 years. She was educated as a German lawyer, but by moving to the United States she was unable to practice so she became an Advanced Certified Paralegal. She has terrific people skills and many of my clients report that they enjoy dealing with her.
All three of my partners are very experienced in their fields and all three hold the A-V Martindale-Hubbell highest rating for attorneys
What are your strengths and style?
My strengths include my ability to sort out legal problems quickly and to empathize with my clients. My style is one where I try to give the client options, which always includes the least costly plan to accomplish the client's objectives.
Personal Interests:
Long retired Rugby player; reading; travel and very novice (and pretty unsuccessful) fly-fisherman.
Office Manager/Assistant
Yes, Angelika Bush
Fax
(719) 471-0317
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
No
Foreign Languages
I speak Spanish. Angelika Bush is fluent in German and called upon by Colorado to interpret in court
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
Yes. Since many cases are different, I usually suggest that we set up an initial meeting, have clients bring in a questionnaire filled out with family information, have a discussion as to what their objectives are and at that meeting I can let them know what their options are and the fixed price for each of the options. If the client decides not to proceed I do not charge for that initial meeting.
Hourly Rates
My hourly rate is $275 per hour. My assistant, Angelika Bush's hourly rate is $120. I use her services when appropriate to try and keep costs reasonable.
Free Initial Consultation?
Yes, for estate planning clients, see above.
Typical Retainer
No.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.
