Most people think of estate planning as a process that accounts for houses, bank accounts, retirement funds, and personal property. The financial and legal picture has always been more complicated than that, but it has never been more complicated than it is right now. Artificial intelligence tools, cloud-based accounts, cryptocurrency, and monetized digital content have … [Read More]
Will My Estate Planning Decisions Become Public Record?
When you sit down to outline a financial legacy, privacy is often a top priority. Deciding who receives personal property, selecting who will manage assets, and setting conditions for distributions are deeply personal choices. Many people in Westport, Glastonbury, and throughout Connecticut assume that whatever they write in their estate planning documents remains strictly confidential. … [Read More]
What Is a Testamentary Trust and When Does It Make Sense?
A testamentary trust is a trust you establish through your will, one that does not take effect until after you die. It is not the most sophisticated estate planning tool available, and for many families a funded revocable living trust is the better choice. For a specific group of people, however, a testamentary trust is … [Read More]
Connecticut Estate Administration: 5 Things You Need to Know About Probate
Navigating the legal aftermath of losing a loved one involves a structured court procedure known as probate. In Connecticut, the probate court system oversees the orderly wind down of a person’s financial affairs. This process ensures that valid debts are satisfied, taxes are calculated and paid, and remaining assets reach the appropriate beneficiaries. Understanding the … [Read More]
What Is a Pour-Over Will and Why Do I Need One?
A pour-over will is a legal document that works alongside your living trust to capture any assets you haven’t transferred into the trust by the time you die. When you pass away, those remaining assets “pour over” into your trust automatically, where they’re distributed according to your trust’s instructions. If you have a living trust, … [Read More]
Can You Give Inheritances in Advance to Limit Estate Taxes?
It is a natural human instinct to want to see the fruits of your labor enjoyably used by the people you love. If you plan to leave a significant financial legacy to your children, grandchildren, or other heirs, you might wonder why you should make them wait until you pass away. Beyond the emotional satisfaction … [Read More]
Medicaid Planning vs. Crisis Planning: What’s the Difference?
When long-term care suddenly becomes part of your family’s reality, planning decisions can feel urgent, emotional, and expensive. You may hear two phrases that sound similar but operate very differently: Medicaid planning and crisis planning. Understanding the difference helps you choose the right strategy, set realistic expectations, and avoid decisions that create penalties or delay … [Read More]
Family Loans: Should They be Addressed in Your Estate Plan?
Family loans can start with generosity, but if something happens to you, how they should be handled can cause family conflict. Helping a child, grandchild, sibling, or other relative financially can feel different from dealing with a bank. The arrangement may begin with a conversation, a handshake, or a transfer made during an urgent moment. … [Read More]
High-Net-Worth Estate Planning: Strategies to Preserve Your Wealth
Accumulating significant wealth takes decades of discipline, smart decisions, and often a degree of risk. Preserving it across generations requires something different: a coordinated legal and tax strategy that accounts for federal law, Connecticut’s distinct tax rules, and the specific structure of your assets. For many families in Connecticut, the stakes are real. Without intentional … [Read More]
Is a Handwritten Will Valid?
Is a Handwritten Will Valid? Most people do not have estate plans in place, and there are those that decide to take the matter into their own hands at some point. They will literally get out a pen and paper and record their final wishes, and they assume that the document will be valid. In … [Read More]
( By appointment only )