Shari D. Caton - Denver, CO
Attorney at Caton Law, LLC
Estate Litigation Lawyers in Denver, CO
7887 East Belleview Avenue Suite 1100 Denver, CO 80111
- 1 Super Lawyers®
-
28
Years
Experience
Denver Estate Litigation Lawyer
Updated: 03/10/2026
Areas of Practice
- Estate Litigation
- Estate Planning
- Elder Law
- Disability Planning
- Public Benefits
- Planning
- Probate
- Protective Proceedings
Attorney Information
Overview
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.
Awards and Honors
Honors
- Best Lawyers In America – Trusts and Estates
- Best Lawyers in America – Tier 1 Law Firm
- Lawyers of Distinction – Excellence in Elder Law
- Super Lawyers, 2021-2023
Other Sources of Feedback About Shari D. Caton
Included on the 2024 Colorado Super Lawyers list
Past Lists
- 2023 Colorado Super Lawyers list
- 2022 Colorado Super Lawyers list
- 2021 Colorado Super Lawyers list
- 2020 Colorado Super Lawyers list
Education
-
Legal Education
-
University of New Mexico School of Law,
Albuquerque,
New Mexico, 1998
J.D.
Honors: With Honors
-
University of New Mexico School of Law,
Albuquerque,
New Mexico, 1998
-
Non Legal Education
-
North Carolina Wesleyan, 1994
B.A.
Honors: summa cum laude
Major: Justice/Public Policy
-
North Carolina Wesleyan, 1994
Past Positions
- Hon. David W. Bonem, Ninth Judicial District of New Mexico, Law Clerk
- Ninth Judicial District Attorney's Office, New Mexico, Assistant District Attorney, 1998 - 2000
Pro Bono Activities
- Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Former Member, Board of Directors
- Youth Opportunities Unlimited, Former Member, Board of Directors
- Habitat for Humanity
- Alzheimer’s Association
- Metro Volunteer Lawyers
Published Works
Articles
-
"Medicaid Eligibility for Long Term Care" Elder Law in Colorado, Chapter 29, Continuing Legal Education in Colorado, Inc., 4th Ed., Vol. 2., 2014
-
Powers of Attorney Senior Law Handbook 2014 Edition, Chapter 23, Continuing Legal Education in Colorado, Inc. and the Colorado Bar Association, 2014
-
"Medicaid Eligibility for Long Term Care" Elder Law in Colorado, Chapter 29, Continuing Legal Education in Colorado, Inc., 4th Ed., Vol. 2., 2013
-
Powers of Attorney Senior Law Handbook 2013 Edition, Chapter 23, Continuing Legal Education in Colorado, Inc. and the Colorado Bar Association, 2013
-
"Medicaid Eligibility for Long Term Care" Elder Law in Colorado, Chapter 29 (Co-Author), Continuing Legal Education in Colorado, Inc., Fourth Edition, Volume 2, 2012
- Powers of Attorney Senior Law Handbook 2012 Edition, Chapter 23, Continuing Legal Education in Colorado, Inc. and the Colorado Bar Association, 2012
- "Medicaid Eligibility for Long-Term Care," Elder Law in Colorado, Chapter 29 (Co-Author), Continuing Legal Education in Colorado, Inc., Fourth Edition, Volume 2, 2011
- "Powers of Attorney," Senior Law Handbook 2011 Edition, Chapter 23, Continuing Legal Education in Colorado, Inc. and the Colorado Bar Association, 2011
- "Powers of Attorney," Senior Law Handbook 2010 Edition, Chapter 23, Continuing Legal Education in Colorado, Inc. and the Colorado Bar Association, 2010
- "Powers of Attorney," Senior Law Handbook 2009 Edition, Chapter 23, Continuing Legal Education in Colorado, Inc. and the Colorado Bar Association, 2009
- "Powers of Attorney," Senior Law Handbook 2008 Edition, Chapter 17, Continuing Legal Education in Colorado, Inc. and the Colorado Bar Association, 2008
- "Financial Powers of Attorney," Colorado Bar Association Pamphlet (Co-Author), Colorado Bar Association, 2008
Bar Admissions
- New Mexico, 1998
- Colorado, 2001
- U.S. District Court District of New Mexico, 2001
- U.S. District Court District of Colorado, 2002
Other Affiliations
- Colorado Bar Association Elder Law Section, 2007 - Present (Former Co-Chair (2013 - 2015) and Legislative Policy Liaison (2014), Executive Council Member)
- Colorado Bar Association Trust and Estate Section (Member)
- National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (Member)
- American Bar Association (Member)
- Colorado Bar Association (Member)
Fraternities and Sororities
- Phi Delta Phi
Reviews
Highlights
-
5.0 Quality of Service
-
5.0 Professional Competence
-
Consulted Attorney 2023Shari was excellent to work with. She was very informative and honest. I highly recommend her to anyone who is dealing with estate planning.
Contact
7887 East Belleview Avenue
Suite 1100
Denver, CO 80111
Phone: 720-316-2769
Email: Send a message
Website: https://www.caton-law.com
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