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Questions Answered by Steven Basche
1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Connecticut on
Q: Can executor move an estate's millions of $ into CDs rather than having them sit in super-low-interest money mkt accts?

This is a Connecticut Probate question. The deceased was not very good at finances, and did not put their money into good financial instruments for the family. So there are a couple million dollars sitting locked in various sub-0.5% interest-bearing money-market funds. Once the Court appoints a... View More

Steven Basche
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Steven Basche
answered on Nov 3, 2023

Investing the funds in CD's may be a good idea, but you have to keep in mind that the estate may need some liquidity to pay ongoing or other expenses. Also, you should consider rolling maturity dates, say some 3 month CD's, some 6 month CD's and some 9 month CD's. This way you... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Connecticut on
Q: Question about post-probate assets and a specific section in the will.

Mother passed and left various small things to a few people in the will (TV, Furniture, land, etc). After the list of specific items, there is a paragraph that states "I give, devise, and bequeath all the rest, residue and remainder of my property and estate, both real and personal, of... View More

Steven Basche
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Steven Basche
answered on Mar 22, 2023

Yes. You and your brother are the named beneficiaries of what is called the "residuary estate." After all expenses of probate, and after any claims against the estate are paid, the two of you will split the remainder. Near the end of the the probate process, the executor will need to... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Connecticut on
Q: Which state to file probate case in?

My father was a resident of Connecticut and owned property there, but was recovering in a short term rehab near me in Massachusetts at the time of his death. I can't seem to get a straight answer on which state I need to file a probate case. He was only in Massachusetts 68 days and intended to... View More

Steven Basche
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Steven Basche
answered on Mar 28, 2024

Based on the information you provided, you would be better off filing in Connecticut. It sounds to me that he was a resident of Connecticut, and was only temporarily in Massachusetts. Also, because he has assets in Connecticut, the Connecticut probate court, would certainly have jurisdiction.

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1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Connecticut on
Q: We cannot find a copy of my father’s will and are unsure what law firm he used to draft it. Is there a way to find out?
Steven Basche
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Steven Basche
answered on Mar 26, 2024

Unfortunately, there is no central registry for wills. often attorneys will post on the Connecticut Bar Association, listserv asking if anyone has the will for a particular individual. Keep in mind that if you are unable to locate, the will, the Connecticut intestacy statute may provide for the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Connecticut on
Q: Does a power of attorney allow someone to sign real estate documents for sale if joint owner of home is in jail in CT?

My husband and I are divorcing. We put our house on the market and it is scheduled to close on 5/1. He was arrested on 3/20 and is in jail because he has a $2million cash bond. Unless he changed the estate plan, I have POA. Can I sign for the closing/deed if he is in jail?

Steven Basche
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Steven Basche
answered on Mar 25, 2024

If you have the original POA, with the actual original signature, and it has not been revoked, you could use it to sign the deed for your closing. You should check with your husband to verify that it has not been revoked, and you should give the original POA to your closing attorney for review.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and Probate for Connecticut on
Q: Selling my parents house in Massachusetts after they passed why would there be a 30 day hold on distribution of proceeds
Steven Basche
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Steven Basche
answered on Feb 25, 2024

I don’t practice in Massachusetts, but I think the answer is that there may be a 30 day appeal period that needs to run before the proceeds can be disbursed.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Connecticut on
Q: MY MOM IS DUE TO GET A LARGE INHERITANCE CHECK. IF SHE PASSES AWAY BEFORE SHE RECEIVES IT DOES IT GO TO SISTER OR ME

HER AND HER SISTERS WILL GET THE SAME AMOUNT. I AM HER ONLY CHILD. WE LIVE IN CT

Steven Basche
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Steven Basche
answered on Jul 5, 2022

Probably. Assuming the person from whom your mother will inherit has already died, and it is just a matter of administering the estate of that person, if your mother's will says that her estate goes to you, the money she will inherit will be part of your mother's estate and will pass to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Connecticut on
Q: Does a life insurance policy have to be listed in probate?

I have been paying on a life insurance policy for my great uncle for over 20 years and am listed as the beneficiary, does this policy have to be listed in the probate proceedings?

Steven Basche
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Steven Basche
answered on Jan 23, 2022

Not strictly speaking. Life insurance passes outside of probate. That said, the proceeds will probably need to be listed on the estate tax return. The proceeds may be included in your great uncle's estate, but unless the total is over 9.1 million (for 2022), no estate tax will be owed.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Connecticut on
Q: In Connecticut, does a living trust need to be witnessed if it contains real property?

I didn't think so but then I came across this Thompson Reuters doc https://www.cl-law.com/uploads/Revocable-Trusts-Connecticut-w-010-5933.pdf (written by CT lawyers) that says that a revocable trust does need to be witnessed in CT if it "conveys real property (Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. §... View More

Steven Basche
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Steven Basche
answered on Oct 22, 2021

Very often after a revocable trust is created (or at the same time) the grantor who sets up the trust will transfer his or her house to the trust via a deed. It is unusual, very unusual, for the trust itself to convey real property.

So assuming you follow the procedure of setting up the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Connecticut on
Q: My father passed away a few weeks ago and did not have a will, He only has about $49,000 in his bank account and owned

Some trucks and don’t know where the titles are.He didn’t really tell use much.What would be the next step?

Steven Basche
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Steven Basche
answered on Oct 11, 2021

You will need to petition the probate court for what is called intestate administration. That is what the process is called when someone dies without a will. Since his solely owned assets are more than $40,000, you won't be able to file a short form probate (called an affidavit in lieu of... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Connecticut on
Q: Hello, I have joint account with my husband and in deed it With survivorship rights, should I go to probate

I also have a car under my husband name

Steven Basche
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Steven Basche
answered on Oct 4, 2021

You may not need a full probate process, but you will have to submit an estate tax return to show the estate is not taxable. Only estates over $7.1 million are taxable in Connecticut. You may be able to file what is called an affidavit in lieu of administration instead of full probate to transfer... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Connecticut on
Q: I have filled out a statutory short form power of attorney in Ct. Is this legal and binding?

I will. have this form notarized with two witnesses. Do I still need to go to a lawyer.? Thank you for your time

Steven Basche
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Steven Basche
answered on Apr 29, 2021

You should be all set. Just make sure you understand that the initial powers, usually on the first page, are all included unless you cross them out, but the optional estate planning powers are not included unless you initial next to them to add them in.

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Connecticut on
Q: Is an estate still obligated to pay bills that were received after the hearing to settle it?

I am the administrator of my brother's estate who died in Feb. 2020. It went through the probate process last year and late in March the court held a hearing on the required financial report which was approved. This allows me to now distribute the estate to the heirs. A few days after the... View More

Steven Basche
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Steven Basche
answered on Apr 15, 2021

In Connecticut, if a claim is not presented to the fiduciary within 150 days from the date of the fiduciary's appointment, the fiduciary is not personally chargeable for any assets (i) paid in satisfaction of any lawful claims, expenses or taxes, or (ii) distributed to any beneficiaries,... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Elder Law, Estate Planning and Public Benefits for Connecticut on
Q: Can items like a laptop and cell phone count as Medicaid spend down for a parent being admitted to a nursing home in CT?

My father was unexpectedly admitted to a skilled nursing facility after falling ill last year. He will need to remain their for the long term and we are now going through the Medicaid application as Medicare has stopped coverage for this service. We will have to spend down some of his money to... View More

Steven Basche
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Steven Basche
answered on Apr 29, 2021

Yes, those items can be purchased as part of the spend down.

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1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Connecticut on
Q: I have a very simple probate case. It's me and my sister 50/50 split. What should the lawyer fee be?
Steven Basche
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Steven Basche
answered on Apr 6, 2021

The fee is not necessarily determined by how simple or complicated the split is. It is impossible for anyone to give you an accurate estimate without knowing the number, nature and value of the assets. I've handled "simple" estates, that end up being very complicated. Most lawyers... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Estate Planning, Elder Law and Probate for Connecticut on
Q: Can children (and their spouses) serve as witnesses for their parent when signing a Power of Attorney in CT?

Due to a sudden illness, my father was admitted to a skilled nursing facility in late 2020. His Medicare eligibility is now lapsing and I need a Power of Attorney agreement to assist with his Medicaid enrollment, funeral planning, managing of finances, etc. Due to Covid restrictions, his facility... View More

Steven Basche
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Steven Basche
answered on Mar 26, 2021

Because of COVID, there is an executive order which suspends the witness requirement on all instruments which need to be notarized, except for wills. So, you are in luck. There no witnesses required. That said, it can't hurt to have your sister and her husband sign as witnesses. Or... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Wrongful Death for Connecticut on
Q: is a medical examiner supposed to contact next of kin when a person dies to ask if they want an autospy?

-My mother passed away on tuesday, and upon talking to her doctor he expressed she was in good health aside from hypertension and gallbladder issues. I was not contacted asking if i wanted a autopsy and he himself was not. she received the covid vaccine two days prior to her passing so i feel as... View More

Steven Basche
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Steven Basche
answered on Mar 26, 2021

First off, I am sorry for your loss. The loss of a parent leaves a huge whole in one's heart. The State of Connecticut requires that the Medical Examiner examine deaths due to accident, homicide, suicide, and unknown causes, specifically "sudden or unexpected deaths not caused by... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for Connecticut on
Q: Can an executor deposit a check made out to a beneficiary into an estate account ?

My husband is executor of my mothers will, however a check made out to me (as I was the beneficiary of an account) arrived. He wants to deposit it into an estate account along with checks from another account that is part of the estate so that he can distribute evenly between me and my sisters,... View More

Steven Basche
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Steven Basche
answered on Mar 23, 2021

I wouldn't say you are wrong. If you are the beneficiary on the account, that money is yours. That being said, if your mother's wishes were for "everything" to be divided equally, you have moral, and possibly a legal, duty to include the money from that account as party of the... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Connecticut on
Q: Our son is the beneficiary of a GST set up by his grandparents. Can he draw on the trust before we die?

He is 34 y.o and marginally employed (at best) We support him 100% financially and that is putting us in a hard place. The income generated by this trust is not enough to support us as my husband 70 y.o.retired , I am 61 and have a low paying job and we have a 17 y.o. daughter who wants to go to... View More

Steven Basche
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Steven Basche
answered on Feb 11, 2021

To answer your question, we would need to review the trust agreement itself. It really depends on the language used in the document. My guess is that your son should be able to get money from the trust, but without reviewing the document it's impossible to say.

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