Hartford Estate Planning Lawyer

Trusted Hartford Estate Planning Attorney

Estate planning is a difficult subject for many people. Some mistakenly believe that they do not have enough assets to justify creating an estate plan, while others find thinking about end-of-life planning difficult. Whatever your situation may entail, it is crucial to think carefully about your estate for the sake of your family. An experienced Hartford estate planning lawyer can help you understand your options and make informed decisions.

Experienced Legal Counsel for Estate Planning in Hartford, CT

Burns Thomas, LLC has years of proven experience providing tailored estate planning solutions to clients in Hartford and throughout Connecticut. We understand that estate planning can be a challenging subject for some people, and we take time to help each client develop an individualized plan that provides peace of mind to their loved ones. You can expect compassionate, detail-oriented legal counsel from our team as we help create your plan.

The US Census reported Hartford’s population at 122,129 as of July 2024, and 12.2% of the population was over the age of 65. While estate planning is a more pressing concern for older adults, it is never too early to start creating your estate plan. A 2025 study reported that only 24% of Americans have a will in place, a decline from 33% in 2022. A will is the baseline requirement for an estate plan, but you have more options than this for tailoring your plan.

Building Your Estate Plan in Hartford

When a person dies in Connecticut without a will or any estate plan in place, their estate is considered “intestate” and must go through probate court. During probate, the court will assess the value of the estate’s contents, issue payments for outstanding debts to creditors against the estate, and then distribute the remainder to the deceased’s beneficiaries according to Connecticut’s intestate succession laws.

If someone dies with a will, part of the probate process is reviewing the will to ensure it is legally enforceable. However, taking estate planning further can potentially enable your family to avoid probate entirely. This is a notoriously tedious, time-consuming, and expensive process, so it’s a good idea to hire an estate planning lawyer who can help you develop a plan that enables your family to resolve your estate while minimizing or even eliminating the need for probate.

One of the most potent tools at your disposal in estate plan creation is a trust. When you create a trust, the property you place in the trust is legally removed from your ownership and given into the care of a trustee you designate. After your death, the trustee then distributes the contents of the estate to the trust’s beneficiaries according to your wishes.

You can create an irrevocable trust, which offers the greatest level of tax benefits and is more likely to eliminate the need for probate, but does not allow for any changes once created, or a revocable trust, which is more flexible and allows you to make changes later if necessary, but does not provide the same tax advantages. Your Hartford estate planning attorney can explain the potential benefits of either option.

You can customize an estate plan further to help your family in the event you become critically ill and cannot make major decisions for yourself. Assigning Power of Attorney to a trusted personal representative allows them to make legally binding decisions for you if you become incapacitated, and an Advanced Medical Care Directive can explain your preferences for medical treatment in an emergency as well as end-of-life palliative care.

Ultimately, estate planning is a crucial consideration for everyone, and a thoughtfully constructed estate plan can be beneficial to your family in several ways. The team at Burns Thomas, LLC can help you make more confident decisions about your estate plan and guide you through the creation process. If you are ready to learn how an experienced Hartford estate planning lawyer can assist you, reach out to our team at your first opportunity.

Whether the best option for you is a comprehensive will, the establishment of trusts or other estate planning solutions, we will find a solution that fits your needs.

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FAQs

Can I Change My Will After Writing It?

Yes, you can change your will after writing it, and it is generally a good idea to revisit and review it every few years after creating it. This can help you identify any recent changes in your life that directly apply to the contents of the will, and an estate planning lawyer can help you make necessary adjustments.

How Long Does Probate Take to Complete in Connecticut?

The time probate takes to complete in Connecticut varies, but this is typically a lengthy process that takes several months. The time that probate takes to complete can vary based on whether the will in question is contested, how many creditors have claims against the deceased’s estate, and whether there are any disputes among the deceased’s beneficiaries.

Why Should I Hire an Estate Planning Lawyer in Hartford?

It’s a good idea to hire an estate planning lawyer in Hartford to make sure your will and other estate planning documents are complete and legally enforceable. You may develop the framework of your estate plan and establish your goals for the plan, and then an experienced attorney can help you develop a functional estate plan. They may also reveal estate planning options you didn’t know were available to you.

What Does it Cost to Hire an Estate Planning Lawyer in Hartford?

The cost to hire an estate planning lawyer in Hartford usually depends on how much time the lawyer spends helping you craft your estate plan. Some attorneys offer flat rates for very specific legal services, while others charge for the time they spend helping a client. Make sure you understand your attorney’s billing policy so there are no surprises when it comes to the cost of their services.

Reach Out To An Experienced Hartford Estate Planning Lawyer Today

The team at Burns Thomas, LLC has helped many clients in Hartford and the surrounding areas of Connecticut with estate planning, and we are confident that we can help you develop a plan that suits your goals and protects your family. It is never too soon to start thinking about your estate plan, and our team is ready to assist you. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with an experienced Hartford estate planning lawyer.