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Let’s Talk About Estate Planning (Ounce of Prevention Episode 2)

May 17, 2020

On March 5, 2020, Attorney Timothy Herring, the head of Chipman Mazzucco Emerson’s litigation practice area, launched the Ounce of Prevention podcast. The first episode is entitled What Does a Litigator Actually Do? Listen to the first episode here: Episode One: What Does a Litigator Actually Do?

On March 31, 2020, Attorney Liz Hartery, of Chipman Mazzucco Emerson’s estate planning and probate group, appeared as a guest on Tim’s second episode entitled Let’s Talk About Your Estate Planning. Listen to Liz’s comments on estate planning here: Episode Two: Let’s Talk About Your Estate Plan.

Estate plans are so much more than just a Will. Tim and Liz have a light-hearted discussion covering a number of estate planning options and techniques including living trusts, living wills, how to deal with difficult family issues, and what people need to know about pet trusts.

Subscribe to the Ounce of Prevention podcast. In each episode, Tim will focus on a specific legal issue and how it could impact your everyday life.

The goal of the podcast is to educate and inspire our listeners to harness the law to make life just a little bit easier.

For more information about topics mentioned in the podcast, contact Tim Herring at 203-744-1929 x19 or tmh@danburylaw.com. Visit our website at https://www.danburylaw.com/ to learn more.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is richard.jpg — Richard Land

Posted by Richard S. Land, Attorney, Chipman Mazzucco Emerson LLC, Attorneys at Law, Danbury, CT, 06810, 203-744-1929 x29, rsl@danburylaw.com.

Categories: Elder Law Planning for Incapacity and Long Term Care, Estate Settlement, Estate Tax and Estate Planning Developments, General Information and Announcements About CME, Planning for Disability and Incapacity, Trust Administration
Tags: conservator, death tax, elder law, estate planning, estate tax, health care directive, health care instructions, living trust, living will, long term care, nursing home, power of attorney, probate, revocable trust, trusts, wills

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Complimentary Online Estate Plan Review

May 15, 2020

Does the pandemic have you worried about whether your existing estate plan works for you now?

Or maybe you are simply using the enforced quarantine time to catch up on important things that you keep putting off.

Either way, Chipman Mazzucco Emerson has an easy way to guide you through what you need to know to make sure your estate plan is updated and meets your current needs.

Our complimentary updated Online Estate Plan Review asks a series of specific questions that will alert you to issues you should address to make certain your plan still works. The latest version of this program covers a number of recent law changes, including:

The Tax Cuts and Job Act of 2017
SECURE Act of 2019
Numerous changes in State and federal estate tax exemptions

You can complete the process in ten to fifteen minutes. When you are finished, you’ll receive a detailed personalized report that identifies issues that require your attention. Here is our new video explaining how the review works and how to register for your personalized report.

To access our complimentary Online Estate Plan Review, please click on the link or image below:

Complimentary Online Estate Review Plan

We hope our online estate plan review helps you. If you have questions about the review, please call.

185775_1745456110853_1072275011_31952001_6630745_n[1]

Posted by Richard S. Land, Attorney, Chipman Mazzucco Emerson LLC, Attorneys at Law, Danbury, CT, 06810, 203-744-1929 x29, rsl@danburylaw.com.

Categories: Elder Law Planning for Incapacity and Long Term Care, Estate Settlement, Estate Tax and Estate Planning Developments, Income Tax: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Planning for Disability and Incapacity
Tags: 401(k), estate planning, estate settlement, estate tax, estate tax exemption, estate tax repeal, exemption trust, Exemptions, IRA, marital deduction, marital trust, portable exemption, probate, QTIP, retirement plan, special needs trusts, trusts, wills

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Estate Planning After the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

May 12, 2020

Richard S. Land, Attorney

To help you face your estate planning challenges, we have updated our Basic Estate Planning video presentation to cover the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (effective January 1, 2018) and the SECURE Act (effective January 1, 2020). You can take a look at the video here (Basic Estate Planning After the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act) or below.

Here is a very brief summary of what the videos cover:

Parts 1 and 2: No matter where you live (or die), your estate plan can be destroyed if you don’t know the difference between probate property and non-probate property. We cover this distinction in Part 1. We also cover what a trust is and how a trust can help accomplish certain estate planning goals: protecting assets from the beneficiary’s creditors and risks; asset management for a beneficiary who needs management help; estate tax reduction; and more. We acknowledge that the unfortunate Connecticut estate tax exists (and many other states do not have an estate tax) but, in most cases, we can help with effective workarounds. Part 2 covers Connecticut and federal estate taxes (also New York estate taxes) including how life insurance death benefits are taxed for estate tax purposes.

Parts 3 and 4: Your Will can include provisions that reduce or eliminate estate taxes. Parts 3 and 4 describe such Wills. Danger: Existing Wills with old estate tax provisions can have the unintended effect of disinheriting a spouse. We cover how to deal with such a risk. We also cover new rules allowing one spouse to give his or her federal estate tax exemption to the surviving spouse. The surviving spouse’s federal estate tax exemption could be more than $11,580,000. In addition, we cover Will provisions that can protect assets from a beneficiary’s long term care costs.

Parts 5 and 6: Not all trusts that are designed to save estate taxes are the same. Part 5 compares the different types of trusts. As Part 5 ends, we begin a discussion of common estate planning mistakes and Part 6 continues the discussion.

Parts 7 and 8: These parts cover estate tax and income tax planning for retirement accounts such as 401(k) accounts and IRAs.

Part 9 to Part 13: These parts include a complete discussion of revocable living trusts with a comprehensive comparison between a plan that uses a revocable trust and a plan that relies on a Will without making use of a revocable living trust. Part 13 ends with a description of how Connecticut probate court fees are calculated.

Part 14: This part covers the basic gift tax rules and techniques.

Part 15: This is the final part and covers gifts of life insurance policies with brief mention of other advanced gift techniques.

We hope our updated basic estate planning videos help you. If you have questions about any of the estate planning concepts mentioned in the video, please call.

185775_1745456110853_1072275011_31952001_6630745_n[1] Posted by Richard S. Land, Attorney, Chipman Mazzucco Emerson LLC, Attorneys at Law, Danbury, CT, 06810, 203-744-1929 x29, rsl@danburylaw.com.

Categories: Estate Tax and Estate Planning Developments, Planning for Disability and Incapacity
Tags: durable power of attorney, elder law, estate planning, estate tax, incapacity, living trusts, power of attorney, probate, retirement plan, revocable trusts, trust management, wills

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Seminar: How Resilient is Your Estate Plan? Will Your Plan Work as Things Change?

October 8, 2019

Estate Planning Seminar!

October 17, 2019

We invite you to a free seminar on October 17, 2019, at the Ethan Allen Hotel in Danbury, Connecticut (21 Lake Avenue Ext).

Topic: How Resilient is Your Estate Plan?

The presentation will start at 6:30 PM.

To register, call 203-744-1929 (please provide your email address) or email us at dvv@danburylaw.com. You also can register here: Seminar Registration.

Informative and fun. Come learn and have a great time.

We intend to cover changes of all kinds (not just law and taxes) that will most affect your estate plan.

Reconnect with all the attorneys in our estate planning and probate practice group.

Topics include:

Probate Courts
Issues related to Change of Residence
Coping with the Surge of Conservatorship Proceedings
How Estate Planning Changes with Each Stage of Life
Changes in Law that Could Affect Your Estate Plan.

The presentation will start at 6:30 PM. Light refreshments will be served.

To register, click below or call us at 203-744-1929 or email us at
dvv@danburylaw.com.

REGISTER HERE

The Presenters and Their Topics:

Richard L. Emerson

Topic: Insights from a Former Probate Judge

The Probate Courts have been affected by important changes. Attorney Richard L. Emerson will inform us about the workings of the Probate Courts as only a former Probate Court Judge can.

Attorney Richard L. Emerson served as the Probate Judge in Redding, Connecticut, for over thirty years. His legal practice concentrates on estate administration, probate, estate planning, trust and estate disputes and general corporate representation. He also has mediated contested probate matters and has appeared as an expert witness for other attorneys.

James J. Flaherty, Jr.

Topic: Thinking About Moving Out of Connecticut? Consider
This.

We often hear about people moving out of Connecticut. Is this merely a case of “the grass is always greener…”? James J. Flaherty, Jr., will discuss issues related to a change of residence. Whether you stay or go, if you are wondering about leaving, this is information you need.

Attorney James J. Flaherty, Jr., practices from the firm’s Southbury office and is a member of the estate planning and probate group. Jim’s practice focuses on assisting high net worth individuals, including closely held business owners, in the creation of wealth succession plans. In addition to estate planning, Jim works with individuals on Medicaid (Title 19) and asset protection planning.

Alyson R. Marcucio

Topic: Coping with the Surge in Conservatorship
Proceedings

The increasing number of conservatorship proceedings creates additional demands on our Probate Courts. Alyson R. Marcucio will discuss planning steps to work around crowded court dockets and long wait times.

Attorney Alyson Marcucio is a member of the firm’s estate planning and probate group, with an emphasis on elder law and
planning for those who have chronic disabilities. Alyson’s practice includes long term care, incapacity and special needs planning, eligibility for Medicaid and other public benefits, and conservatorship proceedings.

Elizabeth J. Hartery

Topic: Estate Planning for Each of Life’s Stages

Life is often thought of as having twelve stages. Estate planning starts with the sixth stage and ends with the twelfth: late adolescence; early adulthood; midlife; mature adulthood; late adulthood; and death and dying. Liz Hartery will discuss how the planning focus changes as we pass through each stage.

Attorney Elizabeth J. Hartery is an associate in the firm’s estate planning and probate group, assisting with estate planning, estate settlement, probate matters, and elder law issues.

Richard S. Land

Master of Ceremonies

Attorney Richard S. Land heads up the firm’s estate planning and probate group, helping individuals from all walks of life to manage and dispose of their assets in an orderly fashion through lifetime transfers and through transfers at death by wills and trusts.

Richard has authored and produced dozens of educational videos on estate planning and trust and estates topics, authored several computer generated estate planning document assembly systems and authored an online estate plan review program.

No Admission Charge

Our seminars are always strictly educational and well attended. Space is limited so please let us know if you plan to attend.

Light snacks, desserts and beverages will be offered.

To register, click on this link: Seminar Registration.

Please join us at the Ethan Allen Hotel (21 Lake Avenue Ext., Danbury, CT) on October 17, 2019.

We look forward to seeing you.

Chipman Mazzucco Emerson LLC
Attorneys at Law
44 Old Ridgebury Road
Suite 320
Danbury, CT 06810
203-744-1929

Categories: Elder Law Planning for Incapacity and Long Term Care, Estate Tax and Estate Planning Developments, Income Tax: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Planning for Disability and Incapacity, Seminar Announcement
Tags: bypass trust, credit shelter trust, elder law, estate planning, estate tax, estate tax exemption, exemption trust, health care agent, health care directives, incapacity, living trusts, living wills, long term care, long term care insurance, marital deduction, marital trust, medicaid, nursing homes, portable exemption, power of attorney, probate, Seminar, special needs trusts, step up in basis, title 19, wills

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Estate Planning for Beginners; Elder Law in a Nutshell; How to Make Certain Your Estate Plan Works as Everything Else Changes

September 30, 2018

FREE Estate Planning Seminar!

October 25, 2018

We invite you to a free seminar on October 25, 2018, at the Ethan Allen Hotel in Danbury, Connecticut (21 Lake Avenue Ext).

Topics: Estate Planning for Beginners and Elder Law in a Nutshell

Including: How to Make Certain Your Estate Plan Works as Everything Else Changes (including Trump Tax Changes)

The presentation will start at 6:30 PM. For more information, click here: Seminar October 25.

To register, call 203-744-1929 (please provide your email address) or email us at dvv@danburylaw.com. You also can register here: Seminar Registration.

The presenters and their topics:

Make Certain Your Estate Plan Works as Everything Else Changes

As everything around you changes, you may not recognize the impact the changes have on your estate plan.

Laws change; your health and financial condition change; the health and financial condition of your beneficiaries change; maybe your beneficiary designations change as your assets change; and the fates of the people you are depending on to act as your Executors, Trustees, agents under a power of attorney and health care representatives change.

Attorney Richard S. Land will discuss how to make certain that such changes will not interfere with, or totally disrupt, your estate plan.

Elder Law in a Nutshell

Alyson's Favorite Photo

What is Elder Law and how can an Elder Law attorney help you through the complex issues associated with aging?

The special needs of the elderly are not unique to the elderly, however. Persons of all ages may suffer from chronic conditions resulting in special needs requiring specialized legal help.

Attorney Alyson Marcucio will cover legal issues and solutions related to the special needs of the elderly and all others with special needs.

Estate Planning for Beginners: Features of Wills, Trusts and Powers of Attorney

What is the difference between a will and a revocable trust? What are the powers in a Power of Attorney? Do I even need an estate plan?

Attorney Elizabeth J. Hartery will answer those questions and many others in her presentation, which will explain the basic features of wills, trusts, Powers of Attorney, living wills and more.

No Admission Charge

Our seminars are always strictly educational and well attended. Space is limited so please let us know if you plan to attend.

Light snacks, desserts and beverages will be offered.

To register, click on this link: Seminar Registration.

Please join us at the Ethan Allen Hotel (21 Lake Avenue Ext., Danbury, CT) on October 25, 2018.

We look forward to seeing you.

Chipman Mazzucco
Attorneys at Law
44 Old Ridgebury Road
Suite 320
Danbury, CT 06810
203-744-1929

Video of October 5, 2017, Seminar Posted to YouTube

November 26, 2017

On November 19, 2017, we posted to YouTube the video of our annual fall estate planning seminar (held on October 5, 2017).

senior couple in park In Part I (How to Make Certain Your Estate Plan Works as Everything Else Changes), Richard S. Land covers the reasons why an estate planning review might be necessary. Approximately 40 minutes.

In Part II (Senior Autonomy: A Guide to Families as Roles are Reversed), Alyson Marcucio covers planning to maximize autonomy throughout the elder care continuum: health and ability issues (powers of attorney, living trusts, conservatorships, living wills and other health care directives); home care and alternatives (independent living, assisted living, retirement communities, nursing homes); the cost of care and how to plan for it; and public benefits to help pay for care. Approximately 40 minutes.

Both Part I and Part II include planning strategies for the prevention of financial elder abuse including properly structured estate planning powers of attorney, living trusts and related documents.

Although the turnout was great (as usual), many of you could not attend. Here is your chance to find out what you missed. Click on the images below to go to the presentations.

We hope these videos are helpful. Please let us know if you have any questions.

Chipman Mazzucco
Attorneys at Law
Matrix Corporate Center
39 Old Ridgebury Road
Suite D-2
Danbury, CT 06810
203-744-1929

Categories: Elder Law Planning for Incapacity and Long Term Care, Estate Tax and Estate Planning Developments, Planning for Disability and Incapacity
Tags: durable power of attorney, elder law, estate planning, estate tax, estate tax repeal, incapacity, living trusts, living wills, long term care, long term care insurance, medicaid, nursing homes, power of attorney, probate, probate property, revocable living trusts, revocable trusts, Seminar, special needs, step up in basis, title 19, wills

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Basic Estate Planning Video Updated for 2017

December 18, 2016

: Richard S. Land, Attorney

To help you face your estate planning challenges, we have updated our Basic Estate Planning video presentation for 2017. You can take a look at the video here (Basic Estate Planning Updated for 2017) or below.

Here is a very brief summary of what the videos cover:

Parts 3 and 4: Your Will can include provisions that reduce or eliminate estate taxes. Parts 3 and 4 describe such Wills. Danger: Existing Wills with old estate tax provisions can have the unintended effect of disinheriting a spouse. We cover how to deal with such a risk. We also cover new rules allowing one spouse to give his or her federal estate tax exemption to the surviving spouse. The surviving spouse’s federal estate tax exemption could be almost $11,000,000. In addition, we cover Will provisions that can protect assets from a beneficiary’s long term care costs.

Parts 7 and 8: These parts cover estate tax and income tax planning for retirement accounts such as 401(k) accounts and IRAs.

Part 14: This part covers the basic gift tax rules and techniques.

Part 15: This is the final part and covers gifts of life insurance policies with brief mention of other advanced gift techniques.

We hope our updated basic estate planning videos help you. If you have questions about any of the estate planning concepts mentioned in the video, please call.

185775_1745456110853_1072275011_31952001_6630745_n[1] Posted by Richard S. Land, Attorney, Chipman, Mazzucco, Land & Pennarola, LLC, Attorneys at Law, Danbury, CT, 06810, 203-744-1929 x29, rsl@danburylaw.com.