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Helping Boise and Idaho families protect their children, assets, and future through clear, thoughtful estate planning.
Planning for the future is one of the most important steps you can take to protect the people you love. At Cozakos & Centeno Law, we help individuals and families throughout Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Nampa, and the greater Treasure Valley create clear, legally sound estate plans that provide peace of mind and long-term security.
Whether you need a will, a trust, guidance through the probate process, or completing critical documents, our attorneys take a practical, personalized approach. We focus on making estate planning understandable, efficient, and tailored to your life, not overly complicated or one-size-fits-all.
“Estate planning is an important and everlasting gift you can give to your family. We will help set up a smooth inheritance so it’s not as hard as you might think.”
Estate planning is the process of preparing legal documents that determine how your property will be managed and distributed and who will make decisions for you if you are unable to do so yourself. In Idaho, estate planning may include wills, trusts, powers of attorney, appointing guardians for minors, and medical directives. Your estate plan can simplify or avoid probate when possible.
Proper estate planning allows you to:
Each plan should be based on your individual circumstances, including your assets, family dynamics, and long-term goals.
Both a Will and a Trust are estate planning tools, each providing a level of protection. A will outlines how your assets are distributed after your death, while a trust allows assets to be managed and distributed without going through probate. A trust works for you during your lifetime and upon your death.
Wills:
Trusts:
Many Boise and Treasure Valley families benefit from having both a will and a trust as part of a complete estate plan. Your consultation with Cozakos & Centeno can help determine which tool you’ll need.
A will is a legal document that states how your property will be distributed after your death and who will be responsible for handling your estate. In Idaho, a will may also name a personal representative to manage the probate process and appoint guardians for minor children.
If you die without a will, Idaho law determines how your assets are distributed, which may not match your wishes. Preparing a will with an experienced estate planning attorney helps ensure your instructions are clear and legally valid.
A trust is a legal arrangement that allows assets to be managed by a trustee for the benefit of another person. In Idaho, trusts are often used as part of an estate plan to help manage property, provide instructions for handling your affairs in times of incapacity, provide for asset distribution after death, and, in some cases, reduce the need for probate. Trusts are highly customizable to your unique family dynamics.
Not every estate requires a trust, but for some individuals a trust can provide additional flexibility and control throughout their lifetime. Cozakos & Centeno Law helps Idaho clients to determine whether a trust is appropriate, which type of trust is needed, and prepares trust documents that comply with Idaho law.
Probate is the legal process used to settle a person’s estate after death. In Idaho, probate may involve validating a will, paying debts, and distributing property according to the will or, if no will exists, Idaho law.
Depending on the estate, probate can take several months or longer. A simple probate takes less time than a contested probate. Cozakos & Centeno Law has experience and are happy to help Idaho families with simple or contested probates.
If you own assets, have children, or want control over your future, you likely need an estate plan.
Estate planning is especially important for:
Whether you are just starting your family or planning for retirement, having a plan in place protects both your loved ones and your legacy.
Estate planning is not just about documents it’s about making informed decisions that protect your family.
At Cozakos & Centeno Law, we bring a thoughtful and practical approach to estate planning, backed by years of experience serving clients throughout Boise and the surrounding communities.
We are known for:
We take the time to understand your goals and help you build a plan that truly works for your life, your family, and your future; not just today, but for years to come.
Our approach is practical and straightforward. Our entire law practice is dedicated to families. Because we handle both estate planning and probate and contested probate matters, we can help clients create plans that work as intended and reduce unnecessary complications for their families.
Let’s Discuss your Estate Plan – Contact Us!
Planning for the future often brings questions about wills, trusts, probate, and how estate planning works under Idaho law. Whether you are creating an estate plan for the first time, updating existing documents, or handling the estate of a family member, it is important to understand the legal options available to you. At Cozakos & Centeno Law, we work with individuals and families in Boise and throughout the Treasure Valley to prepare wills, establish trusts, guide clients through probate, and develop estate plans that reflect their wishes and protect their loved ones.
The following answers address common questions about estate planning in Idaho and what to expect during the process.
If you die without a will in Idaho, your estate is distributed according to Idaho intestacy laws. This means the court decides who receives your assets based on a fixed formula, which may not align with your personal wishes or family dynamics.
Probate in Idaho is the legal process of settling a person’s estate after death. It involves validating a will, paying debts, and distributing assets to beneficiaries. Depending on the complexity of the estate, probate can take a minimum of 6 months, but on average takes 12-18 months.
Yes. Many trusts, especially revocable living trusts, allow assets to pass to beneficiaries without going through probate. This can help save time, reduce costs, and keep your estate matters private.
Idaho probate costs vary based on whether its a simple probate or a contested probate. A contested probate will cost more due to the additional time and potential additional court fees. Not all attorneys charge the same for their services.
Schedule your free consultation with Cozakos & Centeno here.
The probate process timeline varies. However, it’s a minimum of 6 months and often more than a year. Complex or contested probates can take 12 -18 months or longer.
We’ve worked with probate cases for a long time. Clients are enouraged to consider the average process time for a simple probate is about 12-18 months.
If you have minor children, your will allows you to name a guardian to care for them when you are no longer able to. Without this designation, the court will decide who assumes responsibility, which may not reflect your preferences. This happens as part of the probate process and guardianship process.
In some cases, probate can be avoided or minimized through tools such as trusts, beneficiary designations, and proper asset titling. However, whether probate can be fully avoided depends on your specific situation and planning strategy. Work directly with one of our Idaho Estate Planning attorneys to finalize your strategy.
It is possible to complete the probate process without an attorney. Be aware the probate process is a delicate balance of papework collection, court deadlines, appearances and estate management. Without a knowledgeable and experienced local attorney, additional fees, delays and family feuds can happen quickly. Susan Centeno and Shelly Cozakos are available to guide families and their heirs through the proceedings as efficiently as possible. This can prevent costly mistakes, personal liability and disputes later.
At Cozakos and Centeno, our team of experienced Boise attorneys values our clients and believes that legal counsel should be widely available. Together, we have over 35 years of experience practicing law. We have extensive experience in adoption and surrogacy law, estate planning and probate law, family and divorce law, and bringing justice to business law, including litigation. Cozakos and Centeno have a long-standing positive reputation in Idaho and within our practice areas, as well as an impressive track record of success.
If you’re looking for a law firm in Boise’s Metropolitan area or Treasure Valley, you’re probably dealing with something important and time-sensitive.
At Cozakos & Centeno Law, we don’t just “handle cases.” We step in when situations are complex, contested, or too important to get wrong. Whether you’re navigating probate, facing a family law issue, building a business, or working through an adoption, our team brings both legal strategy and real-world experience to the table.
We serve individuals and families across Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Nampa, and the greater Treasure Valley, with a focus on clear guidance, strong advocacy, and outcomes that protect what matters most.
Our core practice areas are below. How can we help you to find the right path forward?
At Cozakos & Centeno Law Firm in Boise, Idaho, we are committed to helping you navigate complex legal issues with ease. Our experienced and dedicated team of attorneys specializes in adoption and surrogacy law, estate planning and probate law, family and divorce law, and business law. Our team takes pride in providing personalized attention to each of our clients. We believe in practical, personal, and professional legal services, tailored to meet your unique needs and interests. Trust us to provide you with effective representation and guidance throughout the legal process. Contact us to schedule a consultation with our team of Boise attorneys. We can assist you in finding the right solution for your legal matter.
“Shelly is the only attorney I work with (both professionally and personally) and also the only attorney I feel confident to refer clients. She has been providing legal services for my company for 13 years and knowing I can completely trust and rely on her has brought peace during times of extreme stress. Shelly is strong but also caring, and able to think ahead in a case and plan accordingly. She is excellent dealing with highly emotional clients and has a calming presence in times of crisis. Having utilized Shelly’s legal services both professionally and personally, and knowing others that have used her services as well, I know she is incredibly competent in several areas of the law. I have told many people about Shelly and always describe her as ‘brilliant and the only attorney I feel comfortable working with.’”
