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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Probate law varies from state to state, but there are several things that you and your Milford probate lawyer can expect to happen during the process.  The following is a simple breakdown of some of the most common aspects of probate law. First of all, probate is the name of the legal process that takes...

OK, that title may be a little misleading, as not every estate planning lawyer in Milford is going to recommend a Revocable Living Trust for every single client. That said, this particular kind of Trust is one that is suggested and discussed a whole lot because of all the things it can do for you...

Estate planning is a pretty big field, with lots to take into consideration with your lawyer. There are complexities and confusion; but at the end of it all, there’s no doubt that coming up with a solid plan is one of the best paths for retirement, saving, what you are able to leave behind, and—of...

When a friend or family member passes away, someone will be named as the executor of that person’s estate.  Because of the length and complexity of the process that follows, it’s usually in everyone’s best interest to hire a skilled Milford probate lawyer.  There are different kinds of probate lawyers, but most executors find themselves...

Putting together a solid estate plan with your Milford Will and Trust lawyer is an important step in protecting the future for you and your family.  In order to make sure that things go the way you’ve planned, it’s a good idea to occasionally double check who you have listed on your IRA beneficiary form. …

There’s a fairly constant drive that Milford estate planning lawyers see in our society to continually acquire assets.  After all, that’s one of the ways we accumulate wealth, which we then ask the estate planning lawyer to help us pass on.  Simply gathering more and more assets isn’t always the best approach to building wealth,...

While it doesn’t happen in real life as often as it does in the movies and on soap operas, Milford Wills and Trusts lawyers do sometimes have to deal with a contested Will.  Wills and Trusts are created in order to ensure that a deceased’s wishes are followed, as well as for the financial benefit...

When working with families dealing with probate on a loved one’s estate, Milford probate lawyers often find themselves answering a variety of questions about how to avoid probate in the future. There are a whole lot of tools at the disposal of a Milford probate attorney when it comes to protecting an estate, and each...

Perhaps one of the best reasons to hire an estate planning attorney in Milford is because of what they can do to help with retirement planning.  Most of us have a kind of fantasy about what our retirement will look like, but a smart Milford estate planning lawyer knows that it takes some hard work...

One of the most common issues that Milford elder law attorneys deal with is how to help clients when it comes to both short-term and long-term care.  Folks are living longer than they ever have before due to advances in both healthcare and technology.  Certainly, this is what people have been hoping would happen for...

When getting a divorce, it seems like there’s no end to the paperwork.  One task that is far too often overlooked by those in Milford is making an appointment with their estate planning lawyer.  Whether you already put together an estate plan with your ex-spouse or you’ve never gotten that far, now is the time...