Estate planning lawyers in Milford are most often considered by folks who are wanting to put their end-of-life affairs in order. The attorney helps them to draw up important documents such as powers of attorney and medical directives, as well as to develop a plan for how an individual’s property will be distributed upon his...

As our parents age, we often find that the parent/child roles reverse as aging, long-term illness and disability increase their dependence on us, their children. When do the children have to start acting as parents? And what happens if we fail to do so? It’s a common quandary for adult children. It’s hard to watch...

It’s the middle of February, and we find ourselves in the midst of yet another cold Connecticut winter! Although the season is very festive, and nothing is more beautiful than the look of a pristine snow cover, the winter months can be a challenge for seniors. As we get older, this challenge becomes particularly difficult,...

Should you involve your children in the estate planning process? If so, how much do you tell them? When do you tell them? Is it possible to tell them too much too soon? What happens if you tell them too little too late? In my decades of work with families, I’ve found that there’s a...

Have you put off creating an estate plan because you believe that you have to make provisions for everything that could possibly happen between now and the end of your life? Have you been procrastinating because you think an estate plan is a document you create just once? If either of these statements sounds familiar,...

I don’t always behave the way people expect me to. When I meet with new clients, most expect me to say that they should start putting together their estate plan right away. My response is always the same. “Tell me when you’re going to die or become incapacitated and we can work backwards from there,”...

As our loved ones grow older, it is an increasing concern of how to balance their independence with their safety. This concern is often increased with the loss of a spouse, and it may become very difficult to keep our loved ones in their own home while still maintaining their safety. There are many choices...

As our loved ones get older, it often becomes very difficult for them to stay at home safely. There are many different options of where they can live, but even after finding the right facility, we want to make sure their transition into it is smooth and they get the most out of their stay...

Modern medicine has progressed so rapidly that people are living to much older ages than ever before. Although this is a blessing, allowing people to have more time with their loved ones – it also leads to issues which were not as prevalent years ago. One of these is dementia, which increases in incidence with...

One of the most complex aspects of a Connecticut Wills and Trust lawyer’s job is making sure that a Trust is properly funded. While the attorney will be able to do much of the work on behalf of the client, there are a number of documents that are needed in order to transfer assets into...

The Supreme Court’s landmark decision regarding same-sex marriage brings with it many issues that are probably best discussed with a good marriage and estate lawyer in Milford. Because of the previous inability to legally marry, many of those now looking to walk down the aisle are considerably older than typical newlyweds. This leads to additional...

An unexpectedly common problem that Milford estate planning lawyers encounter is how the proceeds of an estate are handled when the beneficiary gets divorced. We don’t want to think of our children dealing with the pain of a divorce, but losing the inheritance you left behind would certainly pour salt in the wound. That’s why...

Inheriting an IRA can be a financial blessing but you have to be extremely careful about withdrawing the funds. There are a number of mistakes you can make that can result in a missed opportunity for tax-deferred growth, or worse, a huge tax bill. Luckily, surviving spouses have some leeway. It’s still tricky to transfer...

The short answer is: it depends. This is a question we get a lot, and one we typically discuss at length with non-married parents during our planning sessions.  When one of the parties of a divorce decree dies, this will end the custody agreement because there’s no longer anything to govern. In most cases, custody...

As you work with a Trust attorney in Milford, you will likely end up making a list of your assets. Some of these are tangible, such as property and heirloom jewelry. Others are not so obvious and could include important documents related to marital status or military service. Each of these items is an important...

When setting up an estate plan, most people are concerned with what will happen to their belongings: money, jewelry, house, etc. But little thought is ever given to what will happen to their debts when they pass away, notably their mortgage. For years, many people expected to pay off their mortgage long before they died,...

Let’s start off by saying that not all conservatorships are bad. Conservatorships play a vital role in Milford by giving caretakers the means to make financial (Conservator of the Estate) and health (Conservator of the Person) related decisions for those who are no longer able and have no one else to speak for them. Unfortunately,...

Wills and Trusts administration lawyers in Milford often have the opportunity to work with local families who—in addition to planning for their regular home—also have a vacation home to take into consideration during the planning process. While you might think that real estate prices or the vacation home’s location would be the driving forces behind...

The IRS just announced the 2016 federal estate tax rate limits, which are $5.45 million for individuals and $10.9 million for married couples. This means that wealthy Americans will be able to leave up to $10.9 million to their heirs without being subject to federal estate tax rates, which top out at 40%. In addition,...

Contrary to what some believe, Milford estate planning attorneys aren’t here just for the wealthiest members of our community. In fact, after years of experience we come to see how nearly every person in Milford can benefit from putting together an estate plan, including a Will. While you may not feel that you have a...

As an individual puts together his or her estate plan, there is a need to really think about how it will be administered. Wills and Trusts administration can be a complex process in Connecticut, although having an estate plan in place is without a doubt one of the best ways to simplify it. Another way...

One of the more difficult topics that Milford elder lawyers and their clients must discuss is the potential need for nursing home care. However, talking about it and knowing the options is actually one of the things that can make life easier down the road. With the help of a good elder lawyer in Milford,...

Wills and Trusts lawyers in Milford handle so much more than just the creation of legal documents. One of the most important parts of the job is educating and guiding clients through their options, which often depend on the client’s unique financial and family needs. To that end, today’s article is a basic introduction to...

Probate lawyers in Milford are charged with helping their clients take estates through the probate process. Those who have lost loved ones and are now dealing with the courts usually feel completely out of their element. Whether by choice or necessity, these individuals become the executor of the estate. A probate lawyer helps to educate...

Milford guardianship lawyers put a lot of effort into helping clients prepare for all kinds of possibilities. From the “perfect” retirement plan to setting up Trusts and family foundations, they work to provide strategies for pretty much every stage of life. While estate planning lawyers recommend naming long-term guardians for minor children in case of...