Milford elder law attorney shares what to look for and watch out for in choosing a long-term care facility for your elderly loved one.

Milford estate planning attorney Franklin Drazen explains how a Grantor Retained Annuity Trust works to minimize estate and gift tax liability.

Attorney Steven Rubin dispels common myths about New Haven County probate and explains what you need to know about the probate process.

While creating an estate plan with a Trumbull will and trust lawyer, it’s often best to include directives regarding medical treatment, incapacity, and end-of-life care. If you don’t outline your wishes for these particular scenarios, you may leave your family with the difficult responsibility of making these decisions for you. Worse, they may not even …

Many veterans and their families are unaware of the availability of the Aid and Attendance pension benefit for veterans over the age of 65 through the Department of Veterans Affairs. These benefits can be used to help offset long-term care costs for older veterans who served during a period of war, whether that’s at home …

The media has been buzzing for months regarding the conservatorship of Britney Spears and the legal ramifications that being under conservatorship means to an individual. However, many Milford estate and elder law attorneys fear that the media attention on this case might cast a stigma on an important legal tool that’s regularly used to help...

When you ask someone what they know about estate planning, most people will tell you about the Last Will and Testament. In fact, very few people will mention a Pour-Over Will.  Today our Trumbull estate planning lawyers will explain the difference. While a Last Will and Testament is a standalone legal document that directs how...

Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) are savings vehicles that allow a tax deduction to be taken when you contribute to the account. The maximum contribution in 2021 is $6,000, and those age 50 and over may contribute an additional $1,000. The income is not taxable while the assets are held in the IRA, however, the distributions...

There are several different trusts available to achieve asset protection planning goals and to ensure you leave a legacy behind for your loved ones. One of the most common trusts to help achieve these goals is an irrevocable life insurance trust, also called ILIT. These trusts protect the benefits of your life insurance policies by...

Everyone knows that nursing home care can cause financial strain for seniors and even their children. That’s why the federal government created programs like Medicare and Medicaid, which are there to help seniors get the care they need. Beyond these two programs, there are many others that help specific groups of people and seniors, the...

As a New Haven trust attorney, I help many seniors set up Revocable Living Trusts to avoid probate proceedings and to give clear instructions on how they want their assets and property handled after death. The Grantor creates a trust once it is signed and funded with assets or property; that means anything used to...

All parents who have a child with special needs want to make sure that those children are taken care of in every instance – most importantly, after the parents have passed away or can no longer provide personal care for the child. Creating a special needs trust is extremely crucial in keeping that continuity of...

Trumbull guardianship lawyers are asked this question nearly every day! The answer is…maybe. Before you begin to worry, let us explain. When nonmarried parents have a formal custody agreement and one party passes away, that custody agreement is no longer valid. In most cases, the child's permanent custody would revert to the surviving parent. What...

In life, there are jobs we seek out and others that are given to us. Being named an Executor on an estate is one of the most important jobs one can be asked to hold by another person. It means there is someone who trusts you fully and believes that you will manage their final...

Have you ever thought about what you want to happen to your “digital assets,” including your Facebook page, after you pass away? This is a question that Big Tech giants have spent the past few years grappling with as more and more of our lives are lived online. As such, companies like Facebook have started...

Choosing to serve as someone’s conservator is a huge responsibility.  A conservator for an adult person with special needs is generally tasked with overseeing that individual’s physical well-being, medical care, housing, day-to-day needs, and sometimes his or her finances. In the majority of cases, it’s a biological parent (or parents) who will apply to become...

One thing the COVID-19 crisis has brought to the forefront of many people’s minds is the need to update older estate plans, including their Last Will and Testaments. We were collectively reminded that having an updated estate plan is incredibly important, no matter how old you are. In general, a Milford estate planning lawyer will...

Let’s be honest: a major obstacle to proper estate planning for many people is the cost. Sometimes it’s hard to see how estate planning can save money, time, and headaches in the future when there’s a significant price tag in the present. That’s why Milford estate planning lawyers want to let people in on some...

There are many options available to seniors who would like access to liquid assets, and reverse mortgages are one of the most common – and the most misunderstood. Our New Haven elder law attorneys have outlined everything you need to know about reverse mortgages, so you have the information you need to make the best...

The power of attorney is one of the most important documents in your estate plan, but there are some common mistakes that could render it ineffective. Knowing how to spot these mistakes is key to make sure that you get the most out of your power of attorney and all the benefits it provides. Here...

When was the last time you took a look at your Last Will and Testament? If it was five years ago or more, then you should consider dusting it off and reading through to make sure it’s up to date. Remember, a lot can change in five years: the birth of new family members, marriages...

Now that vaccinations have started and "normal" life is within our grasp, many couples are starting to resume their wedding plans. Those who have had to postpone their big day or got engaged during the pandemic are once again starting to put deposits on venues, purchasing gowns, and even planning honeymoons. However, Milford estate planning...

Have you ever wondered what is the worst that can happen if you become incapacitated or pass away without an estate plan in place? If you have, you’re not alone. This is a common question our Trumbull estate lawyers receive, especially from those in close-knit families who believe that their kids (or other loved ones)...

Many veterans and their families are unaware of the availability of the Aid and Attendance pension benefit for veterans over the age of 65 through the Department of Veterans Affairs. These benefits can be used to help offset long-term care costs for older veterans who served during a period of war, whether they receive care...

Trusts are an excellent tool for estate planning and asset protection purposes. The most common type of trust is a Revocable Living Trust, which holds your assets and helps avoid the probate process when you pass away. However, Revocable Living Trusts do not help much when it comes to asset protection planning. What Can I...