Meet Chelsea Victor

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsea Victor.

Chelsea, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I found my calling at a young age. I wrote my first will when I was eleven. Not because I was a particularly brilliant child, but out of absolute necessity. My sister and I had a heated debate regarding the true ownership of some highly valuable dollhouse furniture… (all of which were mine, by the way). My sister’s conduct in that altercation alerted me to her true nature and propensity towards greed, and I was not going to provide an opening for her to squander my modest “estate” at that time. So I wrote a handwritten will (i.e. holographic) disinheriting my sister, signed and dated it, and gave it to my mother for safe keeping. I felt comforted knowing my affairs where in order and that my most treasured items would go to someone who would appreciate them. Sadly, my oversight did not realize that my named executor was not just my mother, but also the mother of the individual I’d just disinherited, and she threw my will in the trash once I was out of sight. Lesson learned: Your will is only as good as your executor. I’d like to report that my sister has since turned a corner from that dark and troubled path she was on at 13, and she is named as guardian and trustee to my children in the event I don’t live forever. The dollhouse furniture has all been broken or sold, preventing any further potential for squandering, in case she should fall back into her old ways.

Death and Taxes are my specialties, which provides ample job security. But Estate Planning is my favorite area of law because it is preventative law. If I do my job right, my client’s families will not have to hire me in the future. Losing a parent, spouse or sibling is hard at every and any age, and the satisfaction I get from telling a grieving family that everything was properly set up in advance and there is no probate, no court processes, and no attorneys needed, is almost better than the financial compensation….. almost. I offer free consultations, and I provide free amendments and changes to any documents that I draft, such as wills, trust, power of attorneys, etc.

In addition to my law practice, I also have a separate company that administers trusts for individuals with disabilities and special needs called ‘Jacob’s Inheritance.’

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
When I was in law school, I was absolutely certain I wanted to practice criminal law. My criminal law and procedure classes were my favorite to study and my best academically, so it seemed like an obvious career choice. But after a couple of years of working at private firms and the public defender’s office, I discovered that I am a result oriented person and a control freak. The criminal defense was not a practice area where I was able to control much, and I cared too heavily about the result to be able to accept my lack of control. So I decided to find an industry where I could still help people and solve problems, but even better, I could prevent some problems from ever arising. That is why I refer to estate planning as a preventative law.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with your work– tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
50% Death and 50% the IRS. I create estate plans that transfer assets easily and quickly to the beneficiaries, and I also help with probate for families that have simple wills. I also specialize in reaching tax resolutions with the IRS, as well as getting people back into compliance with their Federal tax obligations.

I’m probably best known for my jokes… and not necessarily for them being funny.

I think what sets me apart from other attorneys is the type of relationship I want to create with my clients. If I bill you just to meet me once, and then again for every phone call, every meeting, every email and every correspondence, you are going to fear me. I don’t want my clients to feel bad about needing my help. I want them to view me as a reliable source of information and creative ideas, that also genuinely cares about how their situation is affecting them as individuals.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
A friend and I recently founded Animal Aid of Colorado, a non-profit that primarily provides care and placement for pregnant dogs and cats, and of course, their young. I’ve found, the frustration of a two hour phone call with the IRS has easily forgotten if you bottle feeds a kitten.

Pricing:

• Trusts start at around $2500.00 (includes wills, medical power of attorney, general power of attorney, etc)

Contact Info:

• Address: 422 Main Street
  Lyons, CO 80513
• Website: www.victorcounsel.com
• Phone: (303)702-0591
• Email: chelsea@victorcounsel.com

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