On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) into law. The OBBBA makes permanent several provisions implemented by Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) and also introduces several new rules, many which significantly affect high-net-worth individuals.
Outlined below are five major takeaways from the OBBBA. If you
We’re excited to welcome Jevera Hennessey as a new partner in our Greenwich office. A highly respected estate planning attorney with deep ties to the local community, Jevera brings decades of experience advising individuals and families on trusts, estates, and tax matters.
Her arrival strengthens our Chambers High Net Worth-ranked Private Client Services Department and
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
In the second episode of Future Focused: Sophisticated Estate Planning Speaker Showcase, Private Client Services Partner Vanessa Maczko and Corporate Partner Jack Sousa discuss estate planning strategies, with a focus on business owners and succession planning for both family and non-family enterprises. The discussion highlights the importance of structuring ownership using voting and non-voting shares
Intrafamily loans, or loans between family members, can be an effective estate planning tool to transfer potential growth on loaned funds between generations without reducing the lender’s lifetime gift and estate tax exemption. The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) generally scrutinizes intrafamily loans and may recharacterize them as disguised gifts subject
In the premiere episode of our Speaker Showcase, Partners Michael Clear and Erin Nicholls explore the evolving landscape of estate planning, with a special focus on strategies for middle and high-net-worth clients in Connecticut. The discussion addresses the potential sunset of the estate and gift tax exemptions in 2026, offering practical gifting strategies to maximize
The death of a serving executor or administrator (a “fiduciary”) during the administration of a loved one’s estate can add to the stress of an already overwhelming process. Fortunately, Connecticut law provides a clear framework to transition between fiduciaries and ensure the estate progresses in a timely manner.
Understanding the Roles: Executor vs. Administrator
An
The Montana Supreme Court in The Matter of the Estate of Jessie L. Beck, 418 Mont. 416 (2024) considered whether under Montana law, a cell phone video met the requirements of a validly executed last will and testament. The answer was a resounding no.
Four days prior to the decedent’s death, he recorded a
Ruth Fortune, Associate in the Private Client Services Department, has been recognized by the Hartford County Bar Association with the Judge Maxwell Heiman Memorial Award.
The Judge Maxwell Heiman Memorial Award is presented to a Hartford County lawyer in his or her first ten years of practice who exemplifies the high standards of service
Michael Clear, Chair of the Private Client Service Department at Wiggin and Dana, has been elected as a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), one of the most prestigious designations in the field of estate planning and trust law.
ACTEC is a nonprofit association of peer-elected lawyers who are