WILLS & PROBATE
Wills
A Will addresses your affairs after death. It is important for all individuals to have a Will so that family, friends, and business partners understand your intent as to the distribution of your assets and finances. A Will or Trust also sets forth directives ensuring the safety and protection of your children, appoints their guardian, and can include a trustee in charge of their financial affairs and inheritance. In addition to a Will, individuals also should obtain a Power of Attorney and a Living Will / Appointment of Health Care Agent and Conservator. These documents ensure that if an emergency occurs and trusted person has the legal ability to manage your financial and medical affairs. Please feel free to contact me at 860.294.6127 or via email at jim@jhalpin-law.com if you would like to have a Will prepared. I prepare these documents for a flat fee, and can prepare the documents after a brief meeting to discuss your affairs and intent.
Probate Administration
If you have been appointed as an Administrator or Executor, you may choose to retain an attorney to assist with preparing the appropriate Probate Court filings and any required tax returns. After death, a family member often begins the process of locating a Will and opening an Estate at the proper Probate Court. Thereafter, the fiduciary, the Administrator or Executor, must fulfill the requirements of the Connecticut General Statutes and Probate Court, including taking possession of property, following proper protocol to inventory assets, pay bills and claims by creditors, file tax returns, square away title to and or liquidate real property, file a final accounting, and close the estate. I often work closely with a family accountant to manage the legal filings while the he or she prepares the necessary tax returns. Please feel free to contact me if you would like assistance in Administering a Decedents Estate. I offer these services on either a fixed fee calculated as a percentage of the Estate, or on an hourly basis depending on the requirement of the Probate Court and/or the complexity of the Estate.
Probate Litigation
If you are involved in Probate Litigation you should retain the services of a lawyer. I have represented both Executors or Administrators and heirs in various Probate Litigation. I have been involved in Probate Litigation seeking to challenge the validity of a Will, to remove an Administrator, to settle business claims and resolve partnerships, to deny fees for personal services, and challenging title to property given to a son. Some Probate attorneys limit their practice to transaction matters. I service as special litigation counsel to attorneys and/or fiduciaries when appropriate to address only the litigation aspect of the Estate. I offer Probate Litigation services on an hourly basis.
I accept matters from across Connecticut, including clients from Avon, Barkhamsted, Bristol, Burlington, Canton, Farmington, Hartford, Harwinton, Litchfield, New Britain, Plainville, Terryville, Torrington, Southington, Unionville, Waterbury, West Hartford, and Wolcott.