Colorado Springs is home to one of the largest military communities in the country. Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base, and the Air Force Academy bring tens of thousands of service members and their families to the area — including neighborhoods throughout Monument, Falcon, and the surrounding communities we serve.
Military families face estate planning needs that civilian households simply do not. Deployments, PCS moves, changing state residency, and military-specific benefits create a more complex picture than a standard will and trust can always address. This post walks through what military households near Colorado Springs need to think about — and why getting the right documents in place before a deployment or PCS move matters more than most families realize.
Why Military Families Cannot Afford to Wait
The most common scenario we hear from military families is that they planned to handle estate planning "after the move" or "before the next deployment" — and then it did not happen.
The challenge is that deployments and PCS orders arrive on short notice. Once orders are cut, the window to meet with an attorney, discuss your situation, and execute documents thoughtfully narrows quickly. Rushing through estate planning under time pressure leads to documents that are signed but not fully understood, or to gaps that only surface later when they matter most.
The goal is to get the core documents in place during a calm period — and then review and update them after every major life event.
The Core Documents Every Military Household Needs
1. A current will A will directs your estate, names a guardian for minor children, and designates an executor. For service members, it should be reviewed after every PCS move to ensure it reflects current state law and current family circumstances. A will drafted in another state may still be valid in Colorado, but it may not account for Colorado-specific rules or updated family needs.
2. A durable financial power of attorney This document authorizes someone — typically a spouse — to manage financial matters on your behalf while you are deployed or otherwise unavailable. Without it, a spouse may not be able to refinance, sell property, manage bank accounts, or handle other financial decisions that simply cannot wait.
A general power of attorney expires at incapacity — which is the exact moment you most need someone to act. A durable power of attorney remains effective even if you become incapacitated. This distinction matters enormously for military families.
3. A medical power of attorney and advance directive A medical power of attorney names someone to make health care decisions on your behalf if you cannot. An advance directive — sometimes called a living will — documents your wishes about life-sustaining treatment. Both are important for any adult, but for a service member, having them current and accessible is critical.
4. Beneficiary designations Military benefits — including SGLI (Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance) and retirement accounts — pass by beneficiary designation, not through your will. These designations need to be reviewed after marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or any other major life change. An outdated designation can send assets to the wrong person regardless of what your will says.
Trusts for Military Families
A revocable living trust is worth considering for military families who own real estate, have children from prior relationships, or have more complex financial situations. A trust provides:
- Continuity during deployment. A successor trustee can manage trust assets on your behalf without court involvement.
- Probate avoidance. Assets in the trust pass directly to beneficiaries, which can be especially valuable when family members are spread across multiple states.
- Control over children's inheritances. Rather than a child receiving a lump sum at 18, a trust lets you set the terms — age, purpose, or installments.
Families in Monument and Falcon who own homes and are considering their options often find that a trust adds meaningful protection, especially for households where one spouse may be managing everything alone for extended periods.
What Changes After a PCS Move to Colorado
If you have moved to Colorado Springs from another state, your estate plan may need a review even if it was recently drafted. Key things to check:
- Guardianship nominations — are the people you named still the right choice and still nearby?
- Executor/personal representative — Colorado uses the term "personal representative"; your named executor should be someone who can realistically serve in Colorado
- Real estate — if you own property in another state and in Colorado, your trust or will may need updating to address both
- Colorado-specific POA language — Colorado has a statutory power of attorney framework; documents drafted under another state's law may function differently here
If You Already Have JAG-Prepared Documents
Many service members have had wills and powers of attorney prepared through a JAG (Judge Advocate General) office at some point during their service. These documents are legitimate and legally valid — but there are important limitations to understand, especially after a PCS move to Colorado or after transitioning out of active duty.
JAG documents are typically state-neutral or drafted under the law of the installation state. Colorado has specific statutory requirements for powers of attorney, advance directives, and personal representative designations. A document drafted under another state's framework may still be recognized in Colorado, but it may not take full advantage of Colorado's statutory protections or may require additional steps to enforce.
JAG documents are often intentionally basic. Military legal assistance offices serve a high volume of clients and generally prepare standard form documents. They are designed to meet the minimum needs of an active-duty service member — not to address complex family situations, blended families, business interests, or long-term estate planning goals.
Transitioning out of the military is a natural trigger for a full review. When a service member separates or retires, their life changes significantly: new state, new employment, changing financial picture, potentially new beneficiary needs. JAG documents prepared during active duty may no longer reflect the current situation at all.
If you have existing JAG documents and have recently relocated to Colorado Springs or the surrounding area — Monument, Falcon, Fountain, or Widefield — a review with a local estate planning attorney does not mean starting from scratch. It means making sure what you have still works for where you are now.
A Note on Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements for Military Couples
Military life puts financial and logistical stress on marriages that civilian households rarely face. Some military couples — especially those entering a second marriage, or those where one spouse has significant separate property or business interests — benefit from a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement that clearly defines what is marital property and what is not.
This is especially relevant for service members who may receive an inheritance, own real estate from before the marriage, or have children from a prior relationship. A marital agreement can protect those interests and reduce conflict in the event of separation or death.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do military families need a separate estate plan for Colorado after a PCS move? Not necessarily a completely new plan, but a review is important. Documents drafted in another state may still be valid in Colorado, but Colorado has specific rules around powers of attorney, personal representatives, and property that can affect how your documents function. A local Colorado Springs estate planning attorney can quickly identify gaps or updates needed after a move.
What is SGLI and does it interact with my will? SGLI (Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance) passes by beneficiary designation — not through your will. If your beneficiary designation is outdated, your SGLI proceeds could go to someone other than your intended recipient, regardless of what your will says. Reviewing SGLI designations is one of the first things military families should do when updating their estate plan.
Do I need a power of attorney before deployment? Yes. A durable financial power of attorney is one of the most important documents for a service member to have in place before deployment. Without it, a spouse may be unable to handle financial decisions — including refinancing, selling a vehicle, managing accounts, or handling legal matters — while you are unavailable.
Where can military families near Fort Carson find an estate planning attorney? Our office in Colorado Springs serves military families throughout the area, including those living in Monument, Falcon, Fountain, and Widefield. We understand the unique planning needs of military households and work efficiently around schedules that may change quickly.
Work With a Colorado Springs Estate Planning Attorney Who Understands Military Families
At the Law Office of Bridget Rachel Grace, we serve the Colorado Springs community — including the military families who are part of it. We help service members and their spouses put the right documents in place before a deployment, after a PCS move, or during any season of life that calls for clear, current planning.
We serve Colorado Springs and nearby communities including Monument, Falcon, Manitou Springs, Fountain, and Widefield.
Call now at 719-300-6369 for a free consultation, or contact us online. We will follow up within one business day.