For better or worse, your social media accounts are probably a very significant part of your life. This is how you maintain contact with family, friends, and colleagues, and you have established a presence that is built on a long-standing foundation. From an estate planning perspective, you may wonder about including your social media accounts … [Read More]
5 Key Facts About IRA Inheritance Planning
If you have saved money in an IRA, you are not just planning for retirement. You are also creating a valuable asset that can support your loved ones after you are gone. But leaving an IRA to your beneficiaries is not always as simple as naming a person on a form. The rules for inherited … [Read More]
Estate Planning for Your Pets
Estate planning for your pets may sound unusual at first, but for many people, animals are more than just companions—they’re family. If you have a dog, cat, bird, or any other cherished pet, it’s important to think about who will care for them if something unexpected happens to you. Including your pet in your estate … [Read More]
Can You Place Restrictions on an Inheritance Beneficiary?
You may worry about how a particular inheritance beneficiary will handle their windfall. Maybe you have concerns about spending habits, outside influences, or long-term financial stability. The good news is, you can place restrictions on an inheritance if you use the right tools. Connecticut law gives you several options to limit, delay, or guide how … [Read More]
LGBTQ+ Estate Planning: Take Control Now
Estate planning gives you the power to make your own decisions about your health, your property, and your legacy. For individuals and couples in the LGBTQ+ community, that control is especially important. While legal protections in Connecticut have expanded, there are still gaps that only proper planning can close. Marriage equality, anti-discrimination laws, and other … [Read More]
Is There an Estate Tax Efficiency Strategy for Transferring My Home?
We have an estate planning office in Westport, Connecticut, where the median home value is over $2 million according to Zillow. Our other office is in Glastonbury, and though it is not as affluent, there are many seven-figure homes in that area as well. This is a good thing on the one hand, but you … [Read More]
A Legacy of Generosity: Charitable Giving and Your Estate Plan
When you think about your estate plan, you probably focus on transfers to the next generation, and this is understandable. But at the same time, your plan may extend in a broader direction to include charitable giving. In affluent communities like Westport, Connecticut, philanthropy is often woven into both family life and financial planning. Many … [Read More]
Do Estate Taxes Apply to Transfers to My Spouse?
Estate taxes can be a factor when your legacy is being transferred to your heirs. However, most people don’t have to be concerned because of the robust exclusions. Plus, even if you are a high-net-worth individual, there is a provision for spousal transfers. Let’s look at the facts. Federal Estate Tax Basics The federal estate … [Read More]
Inheritance Planning: How to Transfer Family Heirlooms Without Conflict
Disagreements over inheritance planning decisions are not always about money. Often, the deepest conflicts arise from personal belongings that carry sentimental value. Heirlooms like jewelry, furniture, photo albums, or handmade keepsakes may not be worth much on paper, but their emotional significance can run deep. When there’s no clear plan for these items, even the … [Read More]
Advance Directives Are a Must for New College Students
Preparing to send your child off to college is an exciting milestone. You probably have a checklist that includes shopping for dorm supplies, discussing class schedules, and arranging transportation. There’s a lot to think about, but from our perspective as an estate planning law firm, there is a key detail that may never occur to … [Read More]
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