Estate planning can be challenging and emotional, but also profoundly fulfilling. For executors, the process after the death of a loved one can be overwhelming. With personalized, caring legal advice, you can feel comfortable making the decisions that will shape your legacy and honor your loved ones.
With experience in Connecticut and New York law, I support individuals, couples, and families in planning and managing estates. My goal is to help you protect what matters most — and get on with living your life.
There’s no single process, method or plan: The best estate plan is one tailored to your goals, values, and family dynamics. Similarly, estate executors always have their own, unique sets of decisions and judgments to make. I work closely with my clients to fully understand their needs. Then, we walk together through the process.
That said, there are a few common steps I generally follow with my clients.
Estate planning:
Before we meet, I’ll ask you to think about your assets and property, as well as your loved ones who will receive gifts. Use the following form to collect your thoughts.
During our first meeting, we will discuss your needs in depth, and I will offer advice on different methods that can streamline the transfer of your assets.
If you already have a will or estate plan, we will review to identify gaps or life changes that call for updates.
I will prepare necessary documents, making sure your plan is strong and clear, and provide them to you for review.
We’ll meet to sign all documents, answering any final questions and then finalizing the plan.
For many of my clients, our relationship continues long into the future. Life often calls for changes to an estate plan — such as a marriage, or the birth of a child or grandchild. It’s my pleasure to play an ongoing role in my clients’ lives.
Estate Administration:
If you have been named executor of an estate, we will meet to review the assets and estate plan documents. The following form may help you organize this information.
We’ll make sure everything is clear and in order.
Working together, we will submit the will for administration, collect and prepare an inventory of assets, evaluate debts, and pay claims and expenses, and prepare estate tax returns.
We will distribute assets to the heirs, along with a final accounting.
Whatever transitions we encounter, I strive to keep the process smooth, understandable, and compassionate. Contact me with any questions about the process.
If you would like to learn more about the estate administration process, here is the Connecticut Probate Court User Guide for Estate Administration.
