In the final episode of the Speaker Showcase, Partners Steve Malech and Matt Smith discuss the complexities of estate planning, particularly in the context of divorce and family disputes. They highlight the importance of clear definitions in legal documents, the potential for costly litigation, and the challenges posed by multi-jurisdictional assets. They emphasize the need
As the owner of a franchise, you may be focused on the day-to-day operations and management of the business. You might have plans for the longer-term, for growing the business in the years ahead. But what if you are no longer around? Who will operate it? And who will inherit it? Would you prefer that
Navigating estate planning amidst divorce can be complex. On the third episode of our speaker series, Partner Matt Smith emphasizes the need for adaptable and forward-thinking strategies to protect assets across varying state laws. Highlighting cases where outdated estate plans clash with the modern realities of marriage, divorce, and inheritance, Matt delves into crafting lifetime
A directed trust is a sophisticated planning technique that divides the traditional duties of a trustee among more than one person or institution. Unlike a standard trust with multiple co-trustees, all of whom would share the same duties, a directed trust makes each “trust director” responsible for a different type of task on behalf of
Sometimes, a Trustee of an irrevocable trust needs guidance on properly administrating a trust or seeking formal approval for their actions. Historically, in Connecticut, the Probate Courts have served that function. Probate Courts provide a forum for a Trustee to raise questions or to seek formal approval of the Trustee’s actions. That could include seeking clarification
Highlighted in re Jones v. Jones, 103 Mass. App. Ct. 223 (2023)
In a troubling ruling that potentially could impact estate planning across the country, a Massachusetts appellate court ruled that the corpus of a discretionary trust created by a parent in Michigan, for the benefit of an adult child living in Massachusetts, could be
Following up on an advisory we published a year ago on LGBTQ+ Family Estate Planning (click here to read), and as many celebrate Pride Month during June, we offer this update on recent developments in state and federal laws that may have meaningful implications on estate planning strategies for LGBTQ+ individuals and couples.
First, by
How can a Connecticut resident protect his or her estate from family members who might fight over it? The inclusion of a “no contest” clause under a will or trust may be one strategy, but does Connecticut recognize “no contest” clauses? And, if an heir initiates a litigation, would a Connecticut probate court actually enforce