Probate litigation is an area of law that can be fraught with unexpected twists and critical deadlines. The recent decision in Chartier v. Valliere, 234 Conn. App. 1 (2025), offers a compelling look into the complexities of will contests, the significance of precise court language, and the perilous consequences of delayed action. This case
On this episode, host Erin Nicholls welcomes Victoria Fiengo, Private Client Services Associate, to discuss the complexities of self-dealing in private foundations. The discussion focuses on the importance of understanding the broad definition of disqualified persons to avoid impermissible self-dealing actions that the IRS would consider an abuse of its rules. In this vein
In this episode of Future Focused: Sophisticated Estate Planning, Host Michael Clear is joined by Litigation Partner Michael Kenny, where they discuss the complexities of probate disputes, focusing on will contests, particularly related to undue influence and testamentary capacity. As people live longer and healthier lives, Michael Kenny notes that there is growing awareness
A revocable trust is a flexible estate planning tool that allows you to manage and distribute your assets during your lifetime and after your death. You retain full control over the trust while you’re alive, with the ability to amend or revoke it at any time. Upon your death or incapacity, a successor trustee steps
In this episode, Host Michael Clear is joined by a special guest, Senior Practice Manager Dan Maloney, who shares how his unique role helps shape client experience, team culture and business development at Wiggin and Dana. From onboarding and retention efforts to leveraging technology, like automation bots and project management software, and exploring creative marketing
Serving as an agent under a Power of Attorney entails certain fiduciary obligations, including the duty to act in good faith in all dealings on behalf of the principal. A key component of this duty is maintaining accurate and detailed records of all actions taken as agent and, upon request, being able to provide evidence
In this episode of Future Focused: Sophisticated Estate Planning, hosts Michael Clear and Erin Nicholls are joined by Corporate Partners Scott McClure and Len Gray to discuss how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) is expanding opportunities with qualified small business stock (QSBS). OBBBA brought about key updates to QSBS, including an increased
For insiders of publicly traded corporations, there are numerous Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regulations to follow and abide by. One set of those regulations comes from Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“the Securities Act”), sometimes referred to as the “short swing profits rule,” which prohibits certain company insiders from making
In this episode of Future Focused: Sophisticated Estate Planning, Partner Erin Nicholls and Associate Sara Osinski examine the complexities of managing private foundations. They focus on how the 5% minimum distribution requirement is calculated, including the role of administrative expenses. The conversation highlights the importance of federal compliance through Form 990-PF and stresses the