Trusts and Estates

Trusts and Estates

Our Trusts and Estates attorneys provide guidance on matters involving estate and tax planning, estate settlement and trust administration. In all areas, our priority is to understand our clients’ goals, concerns and circumstances and then provide counsel that is not only technically sound but tailored to each individual client’s needs. Our commitment is to offer a consistent and personal level of service to all clients and their families.

Estate Planning

A wide variety of families and individuals including business owners, executives of public and private companies, professionals, retirees, philanthropists and sophisticated private investors rely on us for estate planning advice during all stages of their adult lives, often in consultation with those clients other professional advisors. We assist them with a full range of services from simple wills to the most sophisticated gift, estate and generation-skipping tax-savings techniques that utilize various types of trusts, other entities (such as partnerships, limited liability companies and foundations) and charitable-giving vehicles.

Estate Settlement

With our extensive experience and sophisticated systems, we provide comprehensive services in the probate courts as well as in the preparation and filing of estate tax returns and fiduciary income tax returns. In addition, we represent and advise corporate fiduciaries actively settling estates.

Trust Administration

Since 1985 the Trusts and Estates group has actively administered trust accounts for which members of the firm serve as trustees.  With the assistance of investment advisors, all trusts receive continuous investment supervision and are reviewed formally at least quarterly.  Periodic statements are provided and income tax returns are prepared.   In addition, the group represents and advises individual and corporate trustees administering trusts.

 

Events

June 23, 2011  2011 Connecticut Bar Association Annual Meeting
May 10, 2011  Estate Planning For Same-Sex Couples
May 6, 2011  A Guide to Probate Accounting
February 16, 2011  2011 Heckerling Update
February 7, 2011  Portability of the Deceased Spousal Unused Exclusion Amount under the Tax Relief Act of 2010
November 18, 2010  2010 National Philanthropy Day® Conference
May 20, 2010  Empowered Giving: Just for Women
May 6, 2010  An Estate Planning Update
September 17, 2009  Planned Giving Group of Connecticut Meeting
June 24, 2009  Greater Hartford Probate Forum
June 16, 2009  CSCPA Financial Planning & Investment Conference
March 26, 2009  Caring for Loved Ones
November 14, 2008  ‘Hot Spots’ in Estate Planning and Estate Settlement
March 5, 2008  Charitable Giving with Charitable Trusts
September 27, 2007  IRA Legislation
November 9, 2006  Why Start A Bequest Program and How to Use the Leave A Legacy Program
September 14, 2006  New Opportunity for Gifts from IRAs -- Courtesy of the Pension Protection Act of 2006
January 26, 2006  Charitable Giving Update
2006  Litigation of Estates, Trusts and Guardianships in Connecticut
October 2, 2005  Taking Care of Ourselves and Those We Love
September 9, 2005  How to Protect Assets During Life and Avoid Estate Taxes at Death in Connecticut
June 16, 2005  Fiduciary Liability
May 25, 2005  End of Life Issues: Living Wills, Health Care Agents, Etc.
April 26, 2005  Physician Asset Protection in a Rough & Tumble World
April 2005  Advance Directives
June 22, 2004  Tax Issues in Estate Planning and Probate in Connecticut
September 18, 2003  Compact Sophisticated Estate Planning IV
October 1, 2002  Estate and Asset Protection Planning for Physicians
July 31, 2002  Connecticut Probate: Beyond the Basics
March 27, 2002  Charitable Giving Update
October 25, 2001  Sophisticated Estate Planning Strategies for the Advanced Practitioner in Connecticut
September 26, 2000  Basic Wills and Trusts for Connecticut Paralegals
April 2000  Why Wills are Necessary
1999  Engagement and Document Transmittal Letters
1997  Disclaimers: A Smorgasbord of Issues
1995  An Overview of the Federal Estate Tax, Federal Estate Tax Planning and Drafting
1994  Federal Estate Tax Audit Procedures
1994  Disclaimers in a Nutshell
1993  Investment Rules for Conservators, Trustees and Executors
1990  Use of Disclaimers in Estate Planning
1984  Client Migration to Florida
1983  Disclaimers in Connecticut
1980  Income Taxation of Dededents, Estates and Beneficiaries
1979  Disposition of the Residuary Estate
1976  Economics of a Small Firm Practice
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