When you’ve worked a lifetime amassing property and assets that you hope to leave to those you love, careful planning is essential. An experienced estate planning attorney can advise you of your options and help you establish an estate plan that accomplishes your goals. The lawyers of DePanfilis & Vallerie, LLC, in Norwalk, serving clients in Fairfield County and throughout Connecticut, assist with wills, trusts, advance directives, estate planning matters and estate administration in the Connecticut Probate Courts. We offer personal support and knowledgeable advice to help you preserve your legacy and protect your loved ones.
When we meet with you to discuss your estate planning goals, we take the time to answer these and other questions:
As you can see, estate planning involves a lot of personal questions. After all, this process is an attempt to help others understand your priorities, which requires clear communication. The lawyers at DePanfilis & Vallerie are sensitive to your needs and concerns and are committed to treating you with dignity and respect as we work together to create an estate plan that accomplishes your wishes.
For most people, a carefully crafted will is the foundation of the estate plan. You can use a will for many purposes: naming an executor, appointing a guardian for minor children and, of course, directing and distributing your assets after you’re gone. Our lawyers can prepare a new will for you or help you change an existing will using a codicil (an amendment) that reflects your true intent. The wills we create comply with all applicable Connecticut laws.
Preparing for incapacity is not easy, but it is highly advisable and can be accomplished through advance healthcare directives. Through a living will, you can state your wishes regarding life support and lifesaving measures in the event that you cannot communicate them. You can also appoint a person you trust to make healthcare decisions on your behalf when you cannot. These legal documents offer peace of mind and also keep family members from having to make difficult decisions without knowing what you would have wanted. Our firm can assist with advance directives that clearly specify your wishes.
Trusts are created by grantors that give another party, the trustee, the right to hold title to property or assets for the benefit of a third party, the beneficiary. Grantors can also serve as trustees if they choose. Revocable trusts, such as living trusts, can be changed or dissolved at any time the grantor chooses; irrevocable trusts are essentially permanent, unchangeable arrangements. There are many types of trusts available in Connecticut, including:
Our attorneys can advise you on whether a trust can accomplish your estate planning goals and help you set it up to meet your specific needs.
The Norwalk lawyers of DePanfilis & Vallerie, LLC are ready to advise you on creating an estate plan that accomplishes your goals. We serve clients in Fairfield County and throughout Connecticut. To schedule a consultation with one of our estate planning attorneys, please call 203-846-9585 or contact us online.