Author Archive

Estate Settlement and Trust Administration Seminar

August 6, 2015

LocationEthan Allen Hotel, 21 Lake Ave Ext, Danbury, CT 06811

Date:  September 24, 2015

Time:  7:00 to 9:00 (Doors open at 6:30)

Register here:  Seminar Registration.  Or, call 203-744-1929 for reservations.  For more contact information, go to the end of this post.

No admission charge.  Our seminars are always strictly educational.

Description

We will cover the topics listed below.  Each listed Part corresponds to a Part in our Estate Settlement and Trust Administration video which you can see on YouTube here:  Estate Settlement and Trust Administration Video.

To get the most out of the seminar, attendees should view the whole video before attending.  We understand that time may not permit that, however, and we are structuring the program to make certain it will be well worth your time even if you do not view the video.

Send Us Your Questions

If you think of a question before the seminar, let us know right away before you forget.  If the question is appropriate for a group educational program, we will try to answer it during the program.  Send your questions here: rsl@danburylaw.com (Richard S. Land) or here ksg@danburylaw.com (Kasey S. Galner).

 Seminar Topics

Part 1:  Introduction.  Estate settlement steps starting with the probate application and the inventory.

Part 2: A continuation of estate settlement steps including problems relating to real estate, tangible personal property and estate and income taxes.  The importance of identifying problems early.  A description of our estate settlement letter and estate settlement checklists.  A discussion of the importance of post mortem tax planning.

Part 3:  Accounting requirements and fees and costs including the fees of the Probate Court, Executor fees and attorneys.

Part 4:  A description of trust administration, the duties of a trustee and the related risks.

Part 5:  The most common problems related to being a trustee including accounting, investing and self-dealing.

Part 6:  A continuation of a description of the Trustee’s most common problems including personal liability for contracts entered into as trustee and claims based on a trustee’s negligence and torts including claims related to contaminated property.  Trustee compensation is also discussed.

SEMINAR LOCATION AND TIME

The seminar will be on September 24, 2015, at the Ethan Allen Hotel, 21 Lake Ave Ext, Danbury, CT 06811 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The doors will open at 6:30. Refreshments will be served.

These seminars are always well attended and space is limited. If you wish to attend, or if others you know are interested in attending, to reserve space call us (203-744-1929) or send an e-mail message to me (Richard Land at rsl@danburylaw.com) or Kasey Galner (at ksg@danburylaw.com) or Deb Jewell (at doj@danburylaw.com) containing your name, number attending, telephone number and e-mail address.

You may also register here: Seminar Registration.

 Posted on 8/6/2015 by Richard S. Land, Member, Chipman, Mazzucco, Land & Pennarola, LLC.

We frequently post articles relating to estate planning, estate settlement and elder law issues to this blog. We also post notices about our client seminars here. When we do, we send out notices to clients and friends of the firm. If you would like to get our notices, please join our mailing list by clicking below.

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Changes to Connecticut Power of Attorney Law

August 3, 2015

Effective July 1, 2016, significant changes have been made to the Connecticut Uniform Power of Attorney Act.

Generally, under the revised act: (1) The agent under a power of attorney is granted broader powers than granted under the current Act; (2) Probate Courts will have broader authority over the application and interpretation of powers of attorney; and (3) the Act requires people to honor the agent’s use of the power of attorney in most circumstances.

Although most provisions of the Act are effective July 1, 2016, Probate Court proceedings will be governed by the new Act effective October 1, 2015.

For a thorough analysis of the Act, see the report of Connecticut’s Office of Legislative Research at the following link: An Act Concerning Adoption of the Connecticut Uniform Power of Attorney Act.

185775_1745456110853_1072275011_31952001_6630745_n[1]Posted on August 3, 2015
by Richard S. Land
Member
Chipman Mazzucco

Complimentary Online Estate Plan Review

August 1, 2015

Chipman Mazzucco is pleased to announce a new complimentary online Estate Plan Review.

Answer a series of thought-provoking questions about your circumstances and objectives and receive a personalized report.  We are providing this service without charge to encourage you to reflect on your estate plan from time to time.

To register and participate in the Review, click on this link: Chipman Mazzucco Online Estate Plan ReviewNote: The password you use to register must have at least eight characters, one or more upper case letters and one or more numbers (example: Reviewplan123).

Although anyone can benefit from the review, it is meant specifically for Connecticut and New York residents.

For a short demonstration (4.5 minutes), click on the video below.

We hope this helps you keep your estate plan current.

185775_1745456110853_1072275011_31952001_6630745_n[1]Posted on August 1, 2015
by Richard S. Land
Member
Chipman Mazzucco

Probate Court Fees Increased

August 1, 2015

Effective July 1, 2015, Connecticut Probate Court fees have been increased.

As the chart below indicates, fees for a decedent’s estate with a value of $2,000,000 or less are unchanged. Fees for an estate with a value more than $2,000,000 are increased significantly without any cap. The fee that applies to the excess over $2,000,000 is 0.5% up from 0.025%.

Before the increase, the fee was capped at $12,500 (the fee that applied to an estate with a value of $4,754,000). If the estate was larger than $4,754,000, the fee would remain at $12,500. Accordingly, under the old fee schedule, the fee for an estate having a value of $50,000,000 would be $12,500. Under the new fee schedule, the fee for an estate having a value of $50,000,000 would be increased to $245,615.

In general, the value of the estate is the value determined for estate tax purposes with some adjustments for property that passes to a spouse (in that case only one-half is included).

Probate Court Fees3

For more information, see our video entitled Estate Settlement and Trust Administration in Connecticut: Estate Settlement in Connecticut Playlist.

Probate Court fees are discussed in Part 3 of the video: Estate Settlement in Connecticut Part 3.

185775_1745456110853_1072275011_31952001_6630745_n[1]Posted on August 1, 2015
by Richard S. Land
Member
Chipman Mazzucco

Chipman Mazzucco Offers Complimentary Estate Plan Review

January 15, 2015

Chipman Mazzucco is pleased to announce a new complimentary online Estate Plan Review.

Answer a series of thought-provoking questions about your circumstances and objectives and receive a personalized report.  We are providing this service without charge to encourage you to reflect on your estate plan from time to time.

To register and participate in the Review, click on this link: Chipman Mazzucco Online Estate Plan ReviewNote: The password you use to register must have at least eight characters, one or more upper case letters and one or more numbers (example: Reviewplan123).

For this initial test, we are limiting this offer to the first 100 participants who are residents of Connecticut and New York.

For a short demonstration (4.5 minutes), click on the video below.

We hope this helps you keep your estate plan current.

Posted on January 15, 2015
by Richard S. Land
Member
Chipman Mazzucco

Video Completed: Part 4 of Long Term Care Issues and Medicaid

May 8, 2014

 Video on Long Term Care Issues and Medicaid Finished with the Completion of Part Four

Part 4 (the last Part) of our video/slideshow presentation on Long Term Care Issues and Medicaid has been posted to YouTube.  Part 4 discusses home care benefits provided under Medicaid (or Title 19), long term care insurance and planning ideas.

Here is Part 4:

Parts 1, 2, and 3 discuss the following:  (1) What is long term care?  (2) Who and what does Medicaid cover?  (3) What are the income limitations?  (4) What are the asset limitations? (4) What are the rules related to transfers of assets made with the intention of qualifying for Medicaid?

Go directly to the YouTube Playlist.  Click on the image below:

We hope you find our Long Term Care video informative.

 If you have any questions, please contact us.
 Notice: To comply with U.S. Treasury Department rules and regulations, we inform you that any U.S. federal tax advice contained in this communication is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction, tax strategy or other activity.
We frequently post articles relating to estate planning, estate settlement and elder law issues to this blog. We also post notices about our client seminars here. When we do, we send out notices to clients and friends of the firm. If you would like to get our notices, please join our mailing list by clicking below.

Help Wanted

April 5, 2014

Update May 8, 2014:  The positions described below have been filled. 

April 5, 2014

Chipman Mazzucco’s Trusts and Estates Department is looking for a probate paralegal and a trusts and estates attorney.

For a complete description of each position see the following:

Probate Paralegal

Trusts and Estates Attorney

Please forward your resume to us via Deb Jewell (doj@danburylaw.com) if you are interested.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Chipman Mazzucco

Video on Long Term Care Issues and Medicaid Posted to YouTube

February 20, 2014

 New Video: Long Term Care Issues and Medicaid

Parts One and Two of our video/slideshow presentation on Long Term Care Issues and Medicaid have been posted to YouTube.  They discuss the following:  (1) What is long term care?  (2) Who and what does Medicaid cover?  (3) What are the income limitations?  (4) What are the asset limitations?

Future video posts on this topic will cover rules related to transfers of assets made with the intention of qualifying for Medicaid, insurance products that help pay for the costs of long term care, and programs to help pay for care at home. Expected completion date: April 2014.

Go directly to the YouTube Playlist. Click on the image below:

 We hope you find our Long Term Care video informative.  Stayed tuned for the rest of the videos in the series.

 If you have any questions, please contact us.

 Posted on 2/20/2014 by Richard S. Land, Member,

Chipman, Mazzucco, Land & Pennarola, LLC.

 Notice: To comply with U.S. Treasury Department rules and regulations, we inform you that any U.S. federal tax advice contained in this communication is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction, tax strategy or other activity.
We frequently post articles relating to estate planning, estate settlement and elder law issues to this blog. We also post notices about our client seminars here. When we do, we send out notices to clients and friends of the firm. If you would like to get our notices, please join our mailing list by clicking below.

Trusts and Trust Administration Video Finished

November 23, 2013

Our  video/slideshow presentation on Trusts and Trust Administration  has been completed and posted to YouTube.

The video (in 3 Parts) covers trust administration including a Trustee’s duties, risks that Trustees face, applicable rules and regulations, common problems Trustees face, and Trustee compensation.

You can view the video here:

We hope you find our Trusts and Trust Administration video informative.

 If you have any questions, please contact us.

 Posted on 11/23/2013 by Richard S. Land, Member, Chipman, Mazzucco, Land & Pennarola, LLC.

Notice: To comply with U.S. Treasury Department rules and regulations, we inform you that any U.S. federal tax advice contained in this communication is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction, tax strategy or other activity.

We frequently post articles relating to estate planning, estate settlement and elder law issues to this blog. We also post notices about our client seminars here. When we do, we send out notices to clients and friends of the firm. If you would like to get our notices, please join our mailing list by clicking below.

Estate and Trust Administration Video Finished

November 10, 2013

Parts 4, 5 and 6 Posted to YouTube

The trust administration portions (Parts 4, 5 and 6) of our  video/slideshow presentation on Estate Settlement and Trust Administration in Connecticut  have been completed and posted to YouTube.

The videos cover trust administration including a Trustee’s duties, risks that Trustees face, applicable rules and regulations, common problems Trustees face, and Trustee compensation.

You can view Parts 4, 5 and 6 here:

Estate and Trust Administration Part 4 (Trusts):  What is a trust?  What is trust administration? What are the rules that apply to trust administration?  What does a Trustee do?  What risks are Trustees exposed to?  What are the Trustee’s duties?

Estate and Trust Administration Part 5 (Trusts):  Part 5 covers common problems faced by trustees while administering a trust including issues relating to accounting, investments and self-dealing.

Estate and Trust Administration Part 6 (Trusts):  Part 6 (the final Part) continues coverage of common problems faced by trustees while administering a trust including potential claims related to contracts that a trustee makes while administering a trust, claims based on a trustee’s negligence and other torts, claims based on environmental contamination of trust real property, and claims related to improper payments and distributions. This Part also includes a brief discussion on Trustee compensation.

To view the complete video starting with Part 1 click on the image below:

We hope you find our Estate Settlement and Trust Administration videos informative.

 If you have any questions, please contact us.

 Posted on 11/10/2013 by Richard S. Land, Member, Chipman, Mazzucco, Land & Pennarola, LLC.

Notice: To comply with U.S. Treasury Department rules and regulations, we inform you that any U.S. federal tax advice contained in this communication is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction, tax strategy or other activity.

We frequently post articles relating to estate planning, estate settlement and elder law issues to this blog. We also post notices about our client seminars here. When we do, we send out notices to clients and friends of the firm. If you would like to get our notices, please join our mailing list by clicking below.