Michelle R. Mieras
Michelle Mieras is an associate with Donelson Ciancio & Goodwin, and a member of the Estate Planning & Probate Team. Her practice is primarily dedicated to helping clients develop and implement estate plans and wealth transfer strategies that best promote the client’s personal and financial goals. Michelle tailors estate plans to minimize transfer taxes, including estate, gift, and generation skipping transfer taxes, while never losing sight of the personal nature of the client’s estate plan.Michelle works with a diverse client group, ranging from high net worth individuals looking for business succession planning, to new families who simply want to ensure that a structure is in place for their children in the event of death or incapacity.
Michelle also guides beneficiaries, fiduciaries and loved ones through the probate and estate administration process following a death, assists with trust administration, and represents clients in lifetime protective proceedings, such as guardianships and conservatorships. She educates personal representatives, trustees, agents, guardians and conservators in regard to their fiduciary responsibilities, and represents trust and estate beneficiaries with respect to their beneficial interests.
Publications: Co-author of "Estate Tax Marital Deduction" chapter, Colorado Orange Book, 2010; Author, "Trust and Estate Law," 2008 Annual Survey of Colorado Law, 2009; Author, "Case Law Update," Council Notes, Quarterly Newsletter of the Colorado Bar Association Trust & Estate Section (Fall 2006 - Winter 2008); Author, "Trust and Estate Law," 2007 Annual Survey of Colorado Law, 2008; Co-author, "Probate and Trust Law," 2006 Annual Survey of Colorado Law, 2007; Author, "Dead Men Don’t Lie - Applicability of the State of Mind Exception in Probate Litigation", 2007; Co-author, "Fiduciaries Beware: Your Secrets Might Not Be Safe," Council Notes, 2004; Co-author, "Preventing Property Tax Foreclosure from Extinguishing Conservation Easements, 20 Exchange 25, 2001
Presentations:
- " Estate Administration Basic Skills": Program Chair and Moderator, presenter on Family Rights in Estate Administration, CBA, 2009, 2011.
- "Accounting 101 for Attorneys", National Business Institute, October, 2010
- "Will Contests: Case Law Update," CBA, 2009
- "Trust and Estate Legislative Update", Rocky Mountain Paralegal Association, 2009
- "Trust and Estate Case Law Update", Joint CBA Sections Luncheon, 2009
- " Estate Planning Update: State and Federal Developments in Estate and Gift Tax", CBA, 2008
- "Trust and Estate Case Law Update", Joint CBA Sections Luncheon, 2008
- " Estate Administration Basic Skills", Program Chair and Moderator, CBA, 2007
- "Trust and Estate Case Law Update", Joint CBA Sections Luncheon, 2007
- "Trial of a Will Contest: Case Developments", CBA, 2006
Professional/Community Affiliations
- Colorado Bar Association, Trust and Estate Section: Statutory Revisions Committee (2002-present); Orange Book Committee (2008-present); Uniform Probate Code Subcommittee (2009-2010); Decanting Subcommittee (2009-2010)
- Denver University Will Lab, working with professors and students in drafting of estate planning documents; Volunteer (2009-2010)
- Women's Estate Planning Council (2008-present); Board of Directors (2005-2007)
- The Front Range Community College Foundation, Board of Directors (2010-present)
Education & Admissions
- University of Denver, Graduate Tax Program, LL. M., Taxation, 2008; University of Denver, Sturm College of Law, J. D., 2002, Order of St. Ives; University of Colorado, B. A., Physics, 1997
- Admissions: Colorado, 2002; U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, 2002, U.S. District, District of Colorado, 2005; U.S. Tax Court, 2009
Practice Areas: Estate Planning, Probate, Estate and Trust Administration, and Taxation
Email Michellep. 303.450.1665 | f. 303.457.1175
