Tag Archives: ct estate attorney

Which Probate Court Do I Attend?

Date
Posted by
Which Probate Court Do I Attend?

If a loved one has passed away, whether they left a will or not, their estate will need to be settled through Probate Court. Probate Court allows for the admission and authentification of wills, and then appoints administrators and conservators to make sure the wishes of the decedent, or the intestacy laws of the State of Connecticut, are followed.

If you are a named beneficiary, a named administrator, or are challenging a will, you will need to have a high level of involvement with a Probate Court so that your interests are protected.

The first question you will ask yourself is; Which Probate court do I attend?

Connecticut has 54 separate Probate Court districts, each of which covers anywhere from 1 to 9 towns. The districts, and the towns that they service, can be found by visiting the Probate Court website.

While the Probate Court process can be navigated by individuals themselves, the process is long and complicated. It is time consuming and mistakes can make the process last much longer. A knowledgeable and accurate estate attorney can make the probate process far less painful than it has to be, and fees can be differed until they are paid from the Estate. If you need representation in an estate or probate matter, contact us today.

Do I Need a Will?

Date
Posted by
Do I Need a Will?

Especially when they become young parents it is common for people to ask, “Do I need a Will?“.

First, you need to understand what happens if you die without a will. If you die without a will, it is called dying intestate. In that case, Connecticut Intestacy statutes take over, which comprise parts of §45a in the Connecticut General Statutes. These Statutes are long and complicated and depending on factors such as marriage status and number of children, the State regulates how your property is distributed. If you have no family and no will, your property escheats, or goes directly to the State of Connecticut.

Having a will lets you control your legacy. For young parents, it is a great way for them to outline a support structure, and even custody arrangements, for their children. For older adults, it is the right way to dispose of a lifetime of property and provide for their loved ones. For those without family, it allows for you to provide for foundations are charities you deem to be deserving. In a will, you can:

  • Stipulate who gets what amount of money
  • Create trusts for the long term support of family members
  • Give personal property to friends and family
  • Provide funding to charities and foundations
  • Set up care procedures for beloved pets
  • Provide for creation of foundations and scholarships
  • Cut people out

While there are some regulations that limit what you can do in your will, the possibilities for disposing of your personal property are plentiful.