Probate

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Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult experiences we have to go through in life. The probate process does not have to be. Every municipality may handle probate issues a little differently.

Common questions include: Do I need to go through the probate court? What paperwork do I need? Are there forms I need to fill out? How long will this take? What are my options? I will guide you through the process to make sure all loose ends have been tied and the final wishes of your loved one, as requested in their will, have been followed. But what if my loved one doesn’t have a Will? I can guide you through the necessary paperwork to finalize the estate regardless of whether or not your loved one left a Will.

 

Call me with your probate questions and we will work together, swiftly and efficiently, to get the estate settled.

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Last Will & Testament

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Writing your Last Will and Testament is not a subject that is pleasant, but it is a necessary document and it is never too early to let your loved ones your desires after your passing.

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Webster’s Dictionary definition of a “Will” is “a legal declaration of a person’s wishes regarding the disposal of his or her property or estate after death, especially a written instrument legally executed by which a person makes disposition of his or her estate to take effect after death”.

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An executed will not only allow you to specify where your personal property goes after your death, it also allows you to make provisions for your minor children, your spouse, or an aging parent. Guardians can be named, Trusts can be established, and overall expenses of your estate can be reduced. The financial decisions you make within your will can be advantageous for tax reasons as well as beneficial to your family. You can appoint an executor who you trust with the task of settling your estate and carrying out your wishes.

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Contact me to discuss your preparing and executing your Last Will & Testament.

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Powers of Attorney

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A power of attorney is a legal document giving another person (the attorney-in-fact) the legal right (powers) to do certain things for you. What those powers are depends on the terms of the document. A power of attorney may be very broad or very limited and specific. All powers of attorney terminate upon the death of the maker, and may terminate when the maker (principal) becomes incapacitated (unable to make or communicate decisions). When the intent is to designate a back-up decision-maker in the event of incapacity, then a durable power of attorney should be used. Durable Powers of Attorney should be frequently updated because banks and other financial institutions may hesitate to honor a power of attorney that is more than a year old.

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Health Care Documents (or Advance Directives)

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An advance directive is a document that specifies the type of medical and personal care you would want should you lose the ability to make and communicate your own decisions. It can also express your desires with regard to matters such as resuscitation and the use of life support . Anyone over the age of 18 may execute an advance directive, and this document is legally binding in Connecticut. Your advance directive can specify who will make and communicate decisions for you, and it can set out the circumstances under which you would not like your life to be prolonged if, for example, you were in a coma with no reasonable chance of recovery.

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A document that goes hand-in-hand with your advance directive is an authorization to your medical providers to allow specified individuals to access your medical information. Without this authorization, your doctor may refuse to communicate with your hand-picked decision maker.

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Contact me today and let me help you handle your probate matters.