It is well known that probate in Connecticut is not only costly but has the potential to be very time-consuming. Many look for loopholes in the system as an attempt to shorten or eliminate the probate process. Some believe that adding their child’s name to their bank accounts or even placing their child’s name on...

If you plan on leaving money to minor children in your Last Will and Testament, you’ll have an important issue to consider: Who will be in charge of managing the inheritance and keeping the child’s money safe from being lost or squandered if the parents pass away? Estate planning is often easier for married couples...

National Healthcare Decisions Day is on April 16th, and it’s an important reminder for every adult to begin having conversations with loved ones about their most private wishes for medical and end-of-life care. Far too many people assume that their families would make the choices they would want in an emergency. Yet every day we...

More than half of Americans now have at least one chronic health condition, mental disorder, or substance abuse issue. That is a staggering statistic that Trumbull estate planning lawyers who work with sick and disabled clients confront every day. There are varying definitions of what it means to be “chronically ill.” One definition is having...

The IRS recently announced the 2021 federal estate tax rate limits, which are $11.7 million for individuals and $23.4 million for married couples. This is increased from $11.58 million and $23.16 million respectively in 2020. Under this new guidance, wealthy Americans will be able to leave up to $23.4 million to their heirs without being …

Estate planning offers legal protection for families and individuals through all of life’s transitions. By using tools such as wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives, estate planning helps individuals protect their wishes, safeguard their assets, and ensure provision and care for their loved ones following their death or incapacity. What Does My Estate...

In part one of this series, we provided a general overview of the ways that seniors are preyed upon by scammers and those who would seek to gain control of the elderly person’s finances for their own benefit. However, in order to stop fraud, it’s important to know the specifics. The following post will walk...

Elder fraud and financial exploitation have become an epidemic. As , we are seeing more than ever before, con artists and family members alike taking advantage of their elderly relatives, friends, or neighbors. The best defense against elder fraud is having caring friends or family with the senior's best interests at heart. But those friends...

A serious health diagnosis can force some tasks – especially ones you’ve been putting off – to the top of the priority list. Milford will lawyers know that estate planning is one of these tasks that’s often left for another day, as people don’t like to think about sickness or death when they are feeling...

Do you know what could happen to your assets if your spouse ever needs to go into a long-term care facility? There are a lot of misconceptions out there about Medicaid asset and income requirements, which is dangerous because getting any one of those requirements wrong can lead to a denial of Medicaid benefits. One...

Most Milford elder lawyers agree that Medicaid is one of the best programs provided by the government for senior citizens who need help paying for long-term care. Medicaid is a needs-based program with strict income and asset limits that must be followed; otherwise, seniors can face penalties if they do not meet those limits. There...

As we close out 2020 in hopes of a better 2021, Trumbull estate planning lawyers are encouraging their clients to reflect on legal changes that may have gone overlooked in the past year. Last January, the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act was rolling out. There was a lot of discussion about...

Dying intestate, or without a will, is unfortunately very common. If you die without a will, your property will go through a court process called probate and will ultimately be distributed according to Connecticut’s intestacy law. Here are some common events that may happen if you die intestate: Your immediate next of kin, whoever they...

Family relationships can be complicated. Not every parent remains in his or her child’s life, which can complicate matters when the child has a disability or special needs. This can create financial issues too, especially if the other parent is absent but still living and the child’s eligibility for benefits is impacted as a result....

Sole proprietorships are a common type of ownership interest where the business owner and the business are the same legal entity. The business owner of a sole proprietorship is personally responsible for any debts the business incurs. However, unlike a corporation, the sole proprietorship belongs to one person and is legally a business indistinct from...

A power of attorney is a legal agreement that allows one adult, the agent, to make legal and financial decisions on behalf of another, the principal. People create power of attorney documents with a Milford estate lawyer so that someone of their choosing can speak for them if they should become incapacitated or otherwise unable...

A common question that Milford trust lawyers are asked when helping clients create their estate plans is, “How hard will it be to sell my house if I put it in a trust?” The simple answer is that it’s not hard at all. In most cases, the grantor (or trust maker) also serves as trustee...

As our New Haven County probate lawyers commonly say, “If you don’t create your own will while you’re alive, the state will give you one when you’re gone.” What that means is that if a person dies without a will (called “intestate”) their estate will be administered according to state law.  Likewise, the heirs who...

One of the most difficult decisions that parents of minor children have to make when creating their estate plans is choosing the person(s) they would want to raise their children if they were incapacitated or suddenly passed away. In our office, we often find that the conversation starts with, or eventually winds its way back...

While a power of attorney (POA) does not technically expire unless it’s revoked by the person who created it, you may run into a situation where a bank or a brokerage firm refuses to accept the document because it’s “too old.” You may also hear the phrase, “the document is stale.” So, what does this...

Most people have a basic understanding of what a Power of Attorney does. However, not all Power of Attorney documents are the same, and the rights you are afforded depend on how the document is created by a Trumbull estate planning lawyer. Let’s start first with the basics: a Power of Attorney is a document...

Stepping into the role of Successor Trustee after the incapacitation or death of a loved one is a big job that can feel scary and overwhelming for someone who has never served in such capacity. Milford Trust lawyers understand that it can be equally unnerving to learn that the Trustee can be held liable for...

Question:  My mom recently died, and I’m her Power of Attorney. Am I able to contact a realtor to start the process of selling her house? I don’t want the bills to start piling up. Answer: Believe it or not, this is a common question that New Haven Will lawyers receive after the loss of...

We’re often asked by parents of kids with special needs for our honest opinion on using Do-It-Yourself software to create a Special Needs Trust in Milford. Obviously, DIY programs cost less than working with an attorney, and the ability to create a document online offers an extra level of convenience and ease. But… buyer beware....

Senior citizens are often concerned about what’s covered by their insurance and what they may be responsible for out of pocket. Medicare Part B is a plan that many seniors have, but it does not cover all the services they typically need. That’s why many senior citizens get “gap insurance” to offset any additional costs...