Estate Planning

In the Estate Planning area, I seek to represent individuals and families who are looking for a professional, friendly, knowledgeable and compassionate attorney to advise them regarding estate planning options and/or to prepare appropriate documents such as Wills, Powers of Attorney, Trusts and Advance Directives. I can also help clients in the probate courts or assist with a guardianship or conservatorship matter.

CT, Nov 1986
Bar Number: 305841

State of Connecticut and U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut (1986), and Second Circuit (1998).

Connecticut Bar Association and Manchester Bar Association.

Although Connecticut does not have a continuing legal education requirement, I attend many seminars and have an unlimited subscription to the West LegalEd Center, where I keep my knowledge and skills up to date.

We recently helped a friend who's husband died suddenly to probate his estate and prepare a new will, revocable living trust, power of attorney and advance directives, as well as a special family trust for a vacation home.

We assisted a client who was opening a new clothing store by forming a limited liability company for her, as well as preparing a joint living trust for her and her husband.

A couple with one young son came in last week and we prepared an estate plan, including designation of standby guardian, pour-over will and a living trust.

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Connecticut

The focus of the firm is values-based estate planning. What this means is that we create a plan that passes down your values, not just your assets. Of course we draft effective and creative documents, but we also give you the tools to share your vision, values and experience with your loved ones.

One of the unique options we offer is a Lasting Legacy video, in which you sit down with Steve, a digital video camera, and with your spouse if you are married, and he asks you thought provoking questions which lead to discussions about values, wisdom, influences and philosophy. After you sign your documents, Steve gives you a DVD which you can pass down to your children, and grandchildren. This treasured conversation may well be the most valuable part of what we provide.

I started my legal career in 1986 at a prestigious Hartford firm, Schatz & Schatz, Ribicoff & Kotkin, and then worked at a Cohn & Birnbaum, P.C, also in Hartford. In 1991, I joined the firm of Jacobs, Walker, Rice & Basche, LLC (now known as Jacobs, Walker, Rice & Barry, LLC) where I practiced for 16 years working in a wide range of areas.

I have been an Attorney Trial Referee and Fact Finder since I was appointed in 2002 by the Chief Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court. I am BV-Rated by Martindale Hubbell and have done Pro Bono work through Connecticut Legal Services LawWorks program. I am AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell.

(860) 812-2100

Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Yes

Parent Peace of Mind Plan
This may be the plan for you if have minor children and you want to ensure that they are well cared for no matter in event you are disabled or die, that your health care wishes are respected, and that your loved ones are able to use your assets appropriately using a durable power of attorney (or through the trust if that is selected) if you become incapacitated.
A will based plan is appropriate for the family with minor children who does not have any assets that would be subject to the Probate court process at death. A trust based plan is appropriate for a family with minor children with probate assets who wants to avoid both living probate and estate probate. This plan includes:

• Will
• Health Care Proxy
• Living Will
• Advanced Designation of Conservator
• Laminated ID card with the name and contact information for your standby guardian, so he or she can be contacted in the event of an emergency.
• Durable, Financial Powers of Attorney
• Letter of Instructions to Guardian and Trustee
• Designation of Guardian (for minor children)
• Designation of Standby Guardian (avoids ugly custody battles and prevents your children from being placed into foster care, even for a short time)
• Testamentary Trust for minors (optional)
• Living Trust (optional)
• Spendthrift Trust (optional)(protects assets from children's creditors)
• Bloodline Trust (optional)(protects child's inheritance from irresponsible spouse or ex-spouse)
Fees range from $1000 to $3500 depending on whether a trust is used, and if so, what type of trust is used.

Family Essentials Plan
This may be the plan for you if you don't have minor children and you want to make sure that your loved ones are able to handle and care for your assets using a durable power of attorney if you become incapacitated, and you want to make sure that your wishes regarding your property are carried out after your death.
This is a will based plan that includes:

• Will
• Health Care Proxy
• Living Will
• Advanced Designation of Conservator
• Durable, Financial Powers of Attorney (springing or immediate)
Fees Range from $750 to $1000.

The Trust Plan
This may be the plan for your if you want the peace of mind of knowing that, in the event of your death or incapacity, your property will go to your loved ones quickly, easily and without unnecessary lawyer's fees associated with probating your estate. The Trust Plan allows you to protect your loved ones' inheritance from being lost to divorce, lawsuits, and immaturity, if you choose to include "spendthrift" or "bloodline" protection.
This is a trust based plan and includes Trust Plan includes:

• Revocable Living Trust
• Pour over Will
• Health Care Proxy
• Living Will
• Advanced Designation of Conservator
• Durable, Financial Powers of Attorney (springing or immediate)
• Deed of a single property to the Trust
• Spendthrift protection (optional)
Fees range from $2000 to $3000.

For those who require more advanced estate planning tools, we can create a plan using a variety of more sophisticated trusts including the following:

• Life Insurance Trusts
• AB Trusts
• Credit Shelter Trusts
• Special Needs Trusts
• Irrevocable Trusts
• Charitable Trusts

$300/hr.

By telephone, 15 minutes. The fee for the Initial Estate Planning meeting (90 minutes) is usually $495, but if you mention Nolo, we reduce that to $250. The cost of the IEP meeting is applied to the final cost of your plan.

It was Abe Lincoln who said that a retainer ensures that the client has a lawyer and the lawyer has a client. I agree and usually require a retainer. The amount of the retainer varies with the case and the client. I generally request a retainer of the fees I anticipate during the first month of the retention, but that is not a hard and set rule.