Your spouse just passed away, and everything your spouse owned had a joint or beneficiary designation. All of your spouse’s assets go to you without having to go through probate first.
End of story, right? Not exactly.
Did you know that you still have to file paperwork with the probate court? At the very least, a Connecticut estate tax return must be filed, even if no tax is due. Not filing can cause problems for you down the road, and here’s why. Continue reading
If you’re confused, or unfamiliar with trusts as part of an estate plan, you’re not alone! Some people need to have a trust, others do not.
Then there’s the probate process. Does having a trust impact the probate process? Should you have a trust to avoid the probate process?
To answer your questions about trusts and probate, read on!
So your duty as executor has kicked in. And the word “probate” keeps popping up.
Not sure what probate is? You’re not alone.
Most people don’t know much about the probate process in Connecticut unless they’ve had firsthand experience with it, for example, when a family member dies and his or her estate needs to be administered.
The Connecticut probate court oversees an orderly transfer of title of the decedent’s (deceased person’s) assets from the decedent’s name to his or her beneficiaries. It also makes sure that all the assets are accounted for and all the bills are paid. Continue reading
Modern law offers a variety of ways for individuals to manage, distribute, and protect their property, whether it be for their own benefit or for that of a loved one. A well-known, and yet seemingly complex, mechanism for doing so is a trust.
But what does this mean for you, the beneficiary?
Do you think you are a beneficiary of a trust but have never been contacted by the trustee?
Connecticut Estate Planning Attorneys Blog