Shari D. Caton

Ms. Caton practices in the areas of estate litigation, estate planning, elder law, disability planning, public benefits, planning, protective proceedings, and probate.

Ms. Caton began her career as an assistant district attorney.  In that role, she tried numerous misdemeanor and felony cases to judge and jury.  After leaving the District Attorneys Office, Ms. Caton distinguished herself in both public service and private practice of law.

Public Service

Ms. Caton continually strives to serve the public.  She currently serves on the Executive Council of the Colorado Bar Association Elder Law Section and recently completed her term as the elected Chair.  As an executive officer and section member, Ms. Caton served a term as the Legislative Policy Liaison and participated in the Achieving a Better Life Experience "ABLE" Committee, Medicaid Regulatory Reform / Legislation Committee, Death with Dignity Committee,  Elder Abuse / Mandatory Reporting Committee, Power of Attorney Abuse Committee, and the 1st Annual Elder Law Retreat Committee.  In addition, Ms. Caton was recently elected by her peers to serve on the newly created Colorado Supreme Court Probate Rules Committee.  In recognition of her professional, public, and private career and outstanding dedication to the welfare of the community, the traditions of the profession, and the maintenance and advancement of the objectives of the Colorado Bar Association, Ms. Caton was invited by the Board of Trustees of the Colorado Bar Foundation to become a Fellow of the Foundation.

Ms. Caton has also provided service to the community through the Denver Probate Court pro se clinic, Alzheimer's Association, Metro Volunteer Lawyers, and Habitat for Humanity.  She has also served on the Board of Directors of Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Youth Opportunities Unlimited.

Ms. Caton is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, American Bar Association, Colorado Bar Association, New Mexico Bar Association, Douglas County Bar Association and Phi Delta Phi.

Private Practice

Ms. Caton is proud to represent people of all ages, needs, and asset ranges in contested and uncontested matters.  Her private practice experience includes representation of trustees, personal representatives, beneficiaries, conservators, guardians, agents / attorneys-in-fact, and family members in disputes involving all aspects of probate, trust, and estate litigation, including removal proceedings, contested accountings, breach of fiduciary duty claims, will and trust contests, and contested conservatorship and guardianship proceedings.  She has represented clients before state courts and administrative bodies in a broad range of trust and estate litigation and public benefits matters.  She also assists families with estate planning, including preparation of wills, trusts, powers of attorney, living wills and related documents; estate and trust administration; problems of incapacity; and qualifying for public benefits.

Ms. Caton is licensed to practice in the State of Colorado, the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, the State of New Mexico and the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico.