Blog
When we prepare an estate plan for our clients they often ask, “Where is the best place for me to keep my Will and other estate planning documents?” The answer to this question may vary from state to state. Some states have a procedure for filing or registering wills with a registry of wills, or... Read more.
A power of attorney gives someone you trust the power to sign financial documents for you. If you lose the ability to make financial decisions or you are away on vacation or business, your agent can act for you.
We find many of our clients have powers of attorney but they are old. Now,... Read more.
Our estate planning law firm recently had an elderly client who was selling her home in Connecticut and moving to another state. She bought her home with her husband in 2000 and both of them were listed on the deed as joint tenants with rights of survivorship. Then – in 2003 – the husband died... Read more.
What to Do if You Only Have a Short Time to Get Your Financial Affairs in Order
The doctor said at your last visit, “I’m sorry. There is nothing more we can do. You will not live long. I hope your affairs are in order.” Depression sets in as you realize that your life will end soon. A... Read more.
Life is a constantly evolving journey. Laws change. People change. Relationships change. Finances change. Children come along, attend college, become adults, have their own children, and grow into their golden years. Unfortunately, the language in a Will stays the same and may fail to... Read more.
On May 10, 2016, the Connecticut Supreme Court issued a ruling that provides a blueprint on how to use a trust to protect assets for children who may need long-term care in the future. In this case, the Court ruled that the Department of Social Services improperly denied a Medicaid application... Read more.
There are many benefits to putting your assets in a trust. However, if you set up a trust you have to appoint another person to manage the trust assets either now or in the future. This person is called the “Trustee.” The Trustee holds legal title to property for the person... Read more.
Being chosen as the Executor of an estate shows that the decedent thought of you as a trusted friend or family member. However, settling the affairs of someone who has passed away is a huge responsibility. In this post, we discuss some of the main things you need to do as the executor of an... Read more.
After a parent, relative or friend dies, you may be surprised to learn that you were chosen to be the Executor of his or her estate. You might think of your appointment as an honor, a mark of trust and an indicator of how highly the decedent valued your relationship. In truth, being chosen as... Read more.
Happy New Year! Some of you might be wondering how much you can give this year without having to file a gift tax return and whether you need to do some estate tax planning. Here are the key figures to keep in mind for 2016.