Yes, we are here for you! We are open and have been providing our clients with the services they need. Being sensitive to the new social distancing environment, we are available to consult with you via telephone or videoconferencing. To set up an appointment, call (860) 236-7673 or click here.

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AdobeStock_32607232-300x225This is the first in a two-part series about the realities of and remedies for sibling rivalry over family inheritance. The 2nd part in the series “How to Keep the Kids from Fighting Over Their Inheritance” provides tips on how to avoid these kinds of conflicts.

“Mom always liked you best,” Tommy Smothers used to say. Those five words make up one of the most recognizable catch phrases of the inimitable Smothers Brothers. Coined in the early 1960s, it captures — in a humorous way — the rivalry that is an almost ubiquitous part of growing up with siblings.

Most of the time, such rivalries fade over the years, becoming fodder for family ribbing around the holiday table. But when the passing of a parent drives siblings into the unfamiliar territory of dealing with an inheritance, those rivalries can rear their ugly heads in unexpected and sometimes heartbreaking ways.

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AdobeStock_146000120-300x238The holidays are a time for family, but sometimes the chaos of the season overwhelms all our best intentions to create special moments with our loved ones. With so much to do (and so little time to do it), it can feel like the holiday season comes and goes before we’re able to get fully on board. Sometimes, it’s all we can do to get the decorations up and the shopping (barely) done!

But there’s a big difference between merely surviving the holidays and actually enjoying them.

One way to bring the magic back into the season is to develop your own special family traditions. And what better place to start than with your grandchildren. They provide endless inspiration and make excellent accomplices.

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Of all the things we do in taking care of our aging parents, dealing with their household stuff might be the most cumbersome. After all, when the end finally comes, it’s up to us to sort, store, sell, toss, donate, and clean everything until the home is empty.

This is no small task, especially in a time of grief. Where to start?

Here are some options for dealing with your parents’ items that won’t be finding a new home with family members. Remember that the more time you have, the more money you can make for the estate. Continue reading

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IMG_5548-e1574873456322-286x300 Paul Knierim, the head of our dispute resolution practice area, just returned from Philadelphia where he was awarded the National College of Probate Judges (NCPJ) highest honor – the Treat Award for Excellence. This national award recognizes Paul for his significant contribution to the improvement of the law in the probate field while he served 11 years as Connecticut’s Probate Court Administrator.

While serving as Probate Court Administrator, Paul’s accomplishments were both impressive and numerous. They included:

  • the consolidation of the state’s 117 probate courts to 54 courts
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2-225x300We are told the benefits of stepping outside of our comfort zones to learn new things. Of course brain health is enhanced, but in some circumstances, others can benefit as well.

Let us tell you about just that…

Attorney Brendan Daly – Managing Partner of Czepiga Daly Pope & Perri. Certified Elder Law Attorney.  And…ballroom dancer?  Yes, that’s the part about stepping outside one’s comfort zone! Recently, Brendan participated in the Alzheimer’s Association Connecticut Chapter’s “A Dance to Remember” – a special event and fundraiser modeled after the hit TV show, “Dancing with the Stars,” to benefit Connecticut residents living with Alzheimer’s and to support their caregivers.

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AdobeStock_57199720-300x300Whether you’re a card-carrying member of an older generation or a younger person looking to buy a new gadget for a parent or grandparent, finding technology solutions that are functionally effective for seniors while also being aesthetically pleasing can be a major challenge.

Despite the fact that Americans in the 60-and-over age bracket are adopting technology at a faster pace than ever before, most tech designers and manufacturers are missing the boat.

Instead of collaborating with members of the target audience to design products and technology solutions that meet the needs (and wants) of this mature demographic, most tech companies fall back on delivering traditional devices and products that are at best simply clunky and at worst downright embarrassing.

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AdobeStock_270454973-300x200In the first two parts of this series, we shared organizing tips—to help you get all your documents and plans in place—and strategies for assembling your long-distance caregiving support team and extended network .

Today’s post is all about the day-to-day routines of long-distance caregiving. Each caregiver’s situation will be unique to their loved one’s specific circumstances, medical issues, and location. There are, however, three core pieces of advice that can be applied to help make any situation more manageable and less stressful.

Keep in touch on a regular basis.

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AdobeStock_143996409-300x148In the first installment of this series we provided an overview of some key organizing and planning tips to help make long-distance caregiving easier. This week, we’re looking at how to build a strong support team and network to help you care for your loved one. Hopefully, you do not have to care for your loved one all on your own. But even if you have a small family or are the only person available on a regular basis, there are other people and resources you can integrate into your caregiving team.

Family

If you have other family members who will be lending a hand, it’s a good idea to have a family meeting to make sure everyone is on the same page. It’s important to decide who will be the primary giver and what each person’s roles and responsibilities will be.

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AdobeStock_205385891-300x200Caring for an aging loved one can be a very challenging responsibility, even under the best of circumstances. But, when the caring must be done long distance, you add a whole other layer of complexity and difficulty. Even an hour’s distance can increase hardship exponentially in the context of our always too-busy lives.

In this first part of a 2-part blog post, we’ll give you some steps you can take that will make your new role a bit easier.

According to recent studies, approximately 5 to 7 million caregivers in the U.S. are long-distance caregivers. These people currently represent almost 15% of all caregivers in the U.S., and their numbers are expected to double by 2020. And, as expected, long-distance caregivers tend to have a heavier financial and emotional burden than caregivers who are caring for loved ones who either live with them or live locally.

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AdobeStock_142240831-300x200It may seem odd to ask young parents to think about estate planning, but starting a family is actually the perfect reason to address some really important questions. After all, becoming a parent isn’t just about choosing names and picking out nursery colors. It’s about being wholly responsible for someone else—a child—for life.

While it’s difficult to even contemplate the unthinkable, it’s imperative that new parents plan for every possibility to ensure that their children are protected, cared for, and financially secure.

Since it may be a while since you traveled this road, here is an overview of the estate planning details young parents should address.

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