Practice areas: Elder Law, Estate & Trust Litigation, Estate Planning & Probate; view more
Licensed in Colorado since: 1998
Education: University of Colorado Law School
Languages spoken: English, Spanish
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2012 - 2025 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2009 - 2011 Call today:
303-872-5980
Chayet & Danzo, LLC
650 South Cherry StreetSuite 710
Denver, CO 80246 Visit website
Details
During law school, Mr. Chayet’s grandmother, Letty Milstein, was the principal party in one of the most controversial and public elder law cases in the state of Colorado. The Estate of Milstein v. Ayers, 955 P.2d 78 (Colo. App. 1998), is a landmark probate case which upholds and protects the right to counsel and due process of incapacitated adults in Colorado and has been codified into the Colorado Uniform Protective Proceedings Act (the guardianship and conservatorship laws). This experience was the impetus for Mr. Chayet’s career long practice commitment to the field of elder law, special needs law and probate litigation.
Mr. Chayet is the new Public Administrator for the 18th Judicial District, Judicial Appointment for Arapahoe County, Douglas County, Elbert County and Lincoln County. Appointed as conservator, trustee, and personal representative for estates and cases in the 18th Judicial District. A Public Administrator is a private individual (not a public employee) appointed by the Chief Judge to collect, protect, and manage the assets of individuals and estates.
Mr. Chayet is the past Chairman of the Elder Law Section of the Colorado Bar Association and past Chairman of the American Bar Association Real Property, Trust and Estate section Surrogate Decision Making committee. Mr. Chayet is a 2016 Top 100 Colorado Super Lawyer and a 2016 Colorado Super Lawyer in Elder Law. Mr. Chayet is also a lawyer and guardian ad litem for the Office of Child Representative. The Colorado Supreme Court recently appointed Mr. Chayet to the Attorney Regulation Disciplinary Hearing Board.
A sampling of Mr. Chayet’s broad experience in elder law, special needs law and complex probate litigation includes: Litigating contested guardianship and conservatorship proceedings for adults and minors; Litigating will contests and fiduciary defense actions; Complex Public Benefit Planning, Representation of guardians, conservators and fiduciaries; Trust administration and trust litigation and associated estate planning and estate administration.
Mr. Chayet’s experience in his areas of practice have been demonstrated through his public speaking and publishing including his book: “How to Protect Your Family’s Assets From Devastating Nursing Home Costs-Colorado Edition” and the chapter on “Estate Planning for the Child with Special Needs” in the 4th edition of Elder Law in Colorado by CBA/CLE. Mr. Chayet is a member of the Academy of Special Needs Planners and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys where the Academy asked Mr. Chayet to serve on various committees as well as serving as the President of the Colorado Chapter of NAELA. Mr. Chayet continues to be an active member of the Colorado Bar Association where Colorado attorneys nominated Mr. Chayet to be a Fellow of the Colorado Bar Foundation.
Mr. Chayet, born and raised in Denver, Colorado, is continuing in the footsteps of his family in assisting the philanthropic and civic community of Colorado by serving on the board and committees of many not-for-profit organizations including the Rose Community Foundation, Innovage Foundation, Guardianship Alliance of Colorado, Jewish Family Services, Allied Jewish Apartments, Jewish Senior Recreation Network, the Foundation For Hope and the Life Source Services Hospice. Mr. Chayet received his Juris Doctor from the University of Colorado School of Law. Mr. Chayet’s undergraduate training was at the University of California at Berkeley and at the University of Colorado at Boulder where he received his Bachelor of Arts.
Practice areas
Elder Law, Estate & Trust Litigation, Estate Planning & ProbateFocus areas
Estate Planning, Guardianships & Conservatorships, Power of Attorney, Probate & Estate Administration, Trusts, Will Contests, Wills
- 50% Elder Law
- 40% Estate & Trust Litigation
- 10% Estate Planning & Probate
First Admitted: 1998, Colorado
Professional Webpage: https://www.coloradoelderlaw.com/attorney/marco-d-chayet/
- Colorado
- U.S. District Court District of Colorado
- U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit
- 6th Congressional District Commissioner for the Supreme Court Nominating Commission, Appointed by: Governor Jared Polis, Attorney General Phil Weiser and Justice Brian Boatright, 2021-2026
- Appointed by Governor Hickenlooper Commissioner of Colorado Office of Public Guardian, 2017-2023
- Colorado Supreme Court Disciplinary Hearing Board appointee, 2012-2025
- Elder Law Section Representative to Board of Governors, Colorado Bar Association, 2014-2024
- Chairman of the Elder Law Section of the Colorado Bar Association, 2008 - 2010
- Drafter/Committee Member: Post Adjudication Right to Counsel Statute, Probate Rule 16/63 revision, Compensation and Cost Recovery Act C.R.S.15-10-601 et.seq., Colorado Bar Association
- Chairman of Guardianship and Conservatorship Standards Committee, Colorado Bar Association, 2006-2008
- Elder Law Section Executive Council Member, 2011-2024
- Colorado Trial Lawyers Association - Eagle Member, CTLA Chair for CBA G.A.L. Committee, 2015-2017
- Academy of Special Need Planners - Charter Member
- American Bar Association, Past Chair Surrogate Decision Making Committee
- National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Membership Committee, Practice Development Committee, Good and Welfare Committee
- Colorado Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys – Current President
- Trustee and Appointed First Chairman of The Next Fifty Initiative, 2016-2026 - $200 million foundation serving aging issues nationwide, funded by the sale of InnovAge in 2016
- Trustee of the Helen G. Bonfils Foundation, 2024
- University of Colorado School of Law Alumni Board Trustee, 2021-2025
- Denver Probate Court Volunteer Attorney for Pro Se office
- Metro Volunteer Lawyers
- Rose Community Foundation - Member Committee on Aging (past)
- Guardianship Alliance of Colorado - Board of Advisory Directors
- Innovage (formerly Total Community Options) Foundation - Board of Directors (Past)
- Jewish Family Services, Board of Governance
- Allied Jewish Apartments - Board of Directors (past)
- Colorado Citizens for Accountability - Board of Directors (past)
- The Foundation For Hope - Board of Directors (past)
- Jewish Senior Recreation Network- Board of Directors (past)
- Life Source Services Hospice- Board of Directors (past)
- Campaign For Colorado Law’s Future 2011-2016 – Committee Member raising $40 Million for CU Law
- Endowed first Elder Law scholarship at the University of Colorado School of Law in 2011
- 18th Judicial District Guardian Ad Litem and Attorney appointee for Adult and Minor Probate cases
- 1st Judicial District Guardian Ad Litem and Attorney appointee for Adult and Minor Probate cases
- Denver Probate Court Guardian Ad Litem and Attorney appointee for Adult and Minor Probate cases
- Guardian Ad Litem appointments, Special Conservator and expert work in Domestic Relations cases under In re Marriage of Sorenson, 166 P.3d 245 (Colo. App. 2007) and for long term care issues.
- Guardian Ad Litem appointment in United States District Court, District of Colorado
- Office of Child Representative appointed Attorney and Guardian Ad Litem for probate cases
- John J. Campbell Award for Outstanding Contribution to The Practice of Elder Law in Colorado, 2023
- 5280 Denver Magazine Top Lawyer in Elder Law, 2015-2024
- 5280 Denver Magazine Top Lawyer in Probate Litigation, 2018-2024
- Barrister’s Best Trust and Estate Attorney Law Week Colorado 2017, 2020
- Barrister’s Best (People’s Choice) Trust and Estate Attorney Law Week Colorado, 2014
- Top 100 Colorado Super Lawyers, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
- Included in the list of Colorado Super Lawyers, Elder Law, 2012-2024
- Included in the list of Colorado Super Lawyers Rising Star, Elder Law, 2009-2011
- University of Colorado School of Law, Boulder, Colorado, USA - 1997, J.D
- University of Colorado at Boulder - 1994, B.A. Political Science
- University of California at Berkeley, 1989-1990
- Army and Navy Academy, Carlsbad, California, USA, 1984-1989
- Graland Country Day School, Denver, Colorado, USA
- Colorado Handbook of Elder Law, Fourth Ed. - Chapter on Special Needs Planning (CLE in Colo., Inc., 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022).
- How to Protect Your Family’s Assets from Devastating Nursing Home Costs: Medicaid Secrets - Phylius Press, Colorado Edition, (2013-2024).
- Resolving a Medicaid Claim in a Decedent’s Probate Estate - The Colorado Lawyer, Feb. 2008, Vol. 37, No. 2. (2008).
- CPA’S Guide to Long Term Care Planning - Colorado Chapter, AICPA , Inc. (2008)
- Preserving Your Wealth: Long Term Care and Medicaid Planning in Colorado - Bradford Publishing of Colorado (2003) and (2013 First Western Trust Publication)
- Defects, Due Process, and Protective Proceedings: Are Our Probate Codes Unconstitutional?, American Bar Association Real Property, Probate and Trust Journal, Vol. 33 (1998). (Haines) - Research, writing and citation assistance
- Issues for the Elderly Client, Part I and Part II-Estate and Healthcare Planning, The Colorado Lawyer, Sept. 2000, Vol. 29, No. 9. (2000) and Mar. 2001, Vol. 30, No. 3. (2001). (Haines) - Research, writing and citation assistance
- Featured Speaker, Colorado Attorney Mentoring Program, Practical Skills of Estate Planning 2023
- Featured Speaker, 18th Judicial District Senior Law Day, Powers of Attorney, Conservatorships, Guardianships and Fiduciary Issues, 2018, 2022
- Featured Speaker, Colorado Domestic Relations and Probate Judicial Best Practices Institute, Capacity and Interstate Jurisdiction Issues: When Guardianship, Conservatorship, and Divorce Cross State Lines, 2019
- Featured Speaker, Colorado Bar Association Estate Planning Retreat, Back to the Basics For The Courtroom, 2019
- Featured Speaker, Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, Tips To Remember When Seeking Probate Court Approval of Your Settlement, 2018
- Featured Speaker, National Guardianship Association annual conference, Atypical Fiduciary Distributions, 2017
- Featured Speaker and Chair, Colorado Bar Association, “Elder Law in Colorado” seminar, 2017-2020
- Featured Speaker, Colorado Adult Protection Services - Annual Conference 2015, Professional and Legal Resources and Documentation Available to Assist APS in Investigations
- Featured Speaker, American Association of Daily Money Managers-Key Note Annual Meeting, Providing Fiduciary Services: Practical Guidelines for DMMs and How to Work with Attorneys, 2014
- Featured Speaker, Colorado Bar Association Real Estate Section, Real Estate Hot Topics in Elder Law, 2013
- Featured Speaker, Colorado Bar Association, Senior Law Day. 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005
- Featured Speaker, Colorado Bar Association Estate Planning Retreat, Legal Representation of Fiduciaries-Are you Prepared for the Scrutiny?, 2009
- Featured Speaker, Colorado Bar Association, Program Chair and Moderator, Conservatorship and Guardianship Law 2008, 2009
- Featured Speaker and Chair, Colorado Bar Association, “Elder Law Basic Skills” seminar. 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009
- Featured Speaker, Colorado Bar Association, Program Chair, Speaker and/or Moderator, Advanced Elder Law Retreat 2009, 2010,2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019
- Featured Speaker, American Bar Association, Real Property, Trust & Estate Section, Contested and Interstate Guardianship Proceedings 2011, Annual Meeting Washington D.C.
- Featured Speaker, Colorado Bar Association Family Law Institute, Elder Law and Probate For the Family Law Attorney, 2009
- Featured Speaker, Colorado Bar Association, CLE, Advanced Elder Law Institute. 2010 Advanced Family Law Issues in Elderly Dissolutions
- Featured Speaker, Colorado Bar Association, Elder Law Update: Understanding the New Acceptance of Office for Conservators and Guardians, Co-presenter with Magistrate Michael Gallegos, 2006
- Featured Speaker, Colorado Bar Association, Hanging Your Shingle Seminar, 2004-2013
- Featured Speaker, Colorado Bar Association, Representing the Conservator or Guardian Client After Appointment, 2005
- Featured Speaker, Colorado Bar Association, Elder Abuse: Financial Exploitation: A Case Study; Road Blocks; Crawford; Civil and Criminal Remedies, Joint presentation with Ranae Johnson and Joseph M. Morales, 2005
- Featured Speaker, Colorado Bar Association, Elder Law Ethics, 2005
- Featured Speaker, Colorado Bar Association, Fundamentals of Conservatorships and Guardianships, 2004
- Featured Speaker, Guardianship Alliance of Colorado, Colorado Conservatorship and Guardianship Law, November 2003
- Featured Television Guest and Speaker, Senior Survival Television Show, Elder Law Issues, 2002, 2003, 2004
- Featured Speaker, CLE International, Elder Law: Helping Your Clients Deal with the Legal, Financial and Emotional Challenges of Aging, 2001
- Featured Speaker, University of Denver Elder Law Institute for Advanced Legal Studies 2001, 2000, 1999
These comments were made by fellow attorneys during the annual nomination process.
“Marco is one of the brightest lawyers out there. On top of that, his compassion and civility make him one of the legal leaders in his field.”
“Marco is one of the very best estate attorneys.”
“Marco is my go to Estate lawyer; he is smart, tough and compassionate.”
“Top notch!”
“Marco is who I would use if I had to.”
“Mr. Chayet is an expert in his field and is even doing more to help expand this area of law to help protect more at risk adults.”
“Marco is an excellent attorney and a good person.”
“Marco is one of the best attorneys in this area.”
“MArco is a star. Co-chair of the elder law section, and as bright as they come. Having survived a family probate litigation, he not only knows his stuff, but is compassionate.”
“Marco is the best. I refer all my clients to him.”
“Mr. Chayet is one of the brightest mind in elder law now and in the future. His litigation skills are great and his ability to problem solve and potentially avoid litigation are respected.”
Office location for Marco Chayet
650 South Cherry Street
Suite 710
Denver, CO 80246
Phone: 303-872-5980
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2012 - 2025
- Rising Stars: 2009 - 2011
Top Lists
Top 100: Colorado Super Lawyers: 2013 - 2014, 2016, 2020 - 2025- Top 100: 2025 Colorado Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2024 Colorado Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2023 Colorado Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2022 Colorado Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2021 Colorado Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2020 Colorado Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2016 Colorado Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2014 Colorado Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2013 Colorado Super Lawyers
Articles about Marco Chayet by Super Lawyers
Single-Minded Passions An Emotional Area of PracticeAdditional sources of information about Marco Chayet
See legal Q & A provided by Marco Chayet
Q: What kind of estate planning do I need in Colorado?
A: Wills in addition to General Financial Powers of Attorney and Medical Durable Powers of Attorney (POA) are highly recommended estate planning …Q: How does probate work for an estate in Colorado?
A: Probate is the legal process under which an estate is established to disperse the decedent's assets through his or her Will, or through the state … See all answers by Marco Chayet
