Connecticut Estate Planning Attorneys

Planning Ahead

Our Firm Helps You Protect Those You Care About Most

Estate planning encompasses not only making a will, but anticipating and providing for the management and transfer of your estate both during your life, and after death. Estate planning not only ensures that your assets go to whom you intend, but it can also minimize taxation.

Clearly estate planning is important, but it is often a task that is delayed until someone close to you experiences unexpected loss or illness. No one wants to face their own mortality, yet it is one of the few certainties in life. It has taken your lifetime to accumulate your assets; estate planning will help you to protect those you love and ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes.

Estate planning should plan for not only the inevitable, but also for the unanticipated. You may plan to protect minor children and other dependents, as well as yourself and loved ones, if you were to become incapacitated. This is accomplished through the creation of wills, trusts, living wills or healthcare directives, powers of attorney. Other ways to protect those you love and ensure that your wishes are adhered to involve: creating or updating beneficiaries on plans such as life insurance, IRAs and 401(k)s; developing investment strategies to reduce the taxable estate; naming guardians for living dependents; and, appointing an executor to oversee your estate.

Being organized and planning ahead can spare family members considerable distress.

Probate

Navigating a Difficult and Emotional Process

When a loved one passes away, grieving family are often called upon to sort through a lifetime of assets quickly. It is a daunting process, even when the deceased was organized and has clearly communicated his or her wishes. But when that loved one has not left a will (died intestate), that process can become a labyrinth.

If you are facing handling a probate matter, we are available to help you by answering questions and guiding you through the process, or by handling the entirety of the probate process.

Conservatorships

Conservators are appointed by the probate court to oversee the personal and financial affairs of adults. They may be voluntary or involuntary. In an involuntary conservatorship, the court has determined that a person is incapable of self care and making their own decisions. Voluntary conservatorships also exist where a person needs help managing his or her affairs but is not incapable.

Conservatorship of the Person

A conservator of the person supervises personal affairs and ensures that basic needs, including food, shelter, clothing and health care, are met.

Conservatorship of the Estate

A conservator of the estate supervises financial affairs, including caring for property, managing bank accounts and ensuring the safe handling of the person’s income.

Whatever your need, we are here to assist you. Please use the form below or call us today.