CT Specific

Trusts, Estates & Probate

4.27

Step-by-Step Guide to Drafting Wills and Trusts in Connecticut

Credits Available
Credit Status Total
Connecticut CLE Approved 6 Total
Florida CLE Approved 7 Total
New York CLE Approved 7 Total
OnDemand
5 hours 58 minutes
Luke Tashjian
Domenick Calabrese
Jacqueline Reardon
Alexandra Bowen
Kenneth Votre
With Luke T. Tashjian from Cohen and Wolf, P.C. + 4 others
Recorded February 03, 2025
Product ID 99707

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Overview

Complete With Essential Sample Forms, Tax Tactics, and Troubleshooting Solutions

Do you have all the information you need to draft customized testamentary documents for each of your clients? Don't spend years gathering precious bits of legal practice wisdom - our experienced attorney faculty are here to share their time-tested methods of identifying clients' needs and creating custom-tailored wills and trusts to fit each specific situation. This legal primer offers all the tools and sample forms to get you started. Get the fundamental skills you need to build your estate planning practice - register today!

  • Get practical will and trust drafting skills to speed up the process and give the testator's last wishes power.
  • Stave off conflicts of interest with a clear determination of who your client is from the start.
  • Learn how to deal with interested relatives who want to be present at all the planning meetings.
  • Explore the pros and cons of using a revocable living trust in the will's stead and find out when it's a better option.
  • Explore the functions and mechanics of major trust structures - and make certain you choose the right tool for each job.
  • Give each provision full power with precise word choices - get sample forms to speed up the process.
  • Make sure your remarried and unmarried clients know the default inheritance laws and help them make sure the right beneficiaries are assigned.
  • Anticipate key tax issues, including individual income tax planning and trust taxation.
  • Phrase the fiduciary and beneficiary designations to leave no room for misinterpretation.
  • Help your clients make the tough medical decisions regarding long-term care, end-of-life and organ donation.
  • Learn how to verify and document the testator's competency to close the door on any potential will contests.

Abbreviated Agenda

  1. Key Elements of Effective Wills
  2. Trusts as Alternatives to Wills
  3. Basic Tax Concerns
  4. Documenting Long-Term Care, Incapacity, and End-of-Life Decisions
  5. Planning for Unmarried and Remarried Couples
  6. Ethics

Related Topics

Product ID 99707

Credit Details

Credits Available
Credit Status Total
Connecticut CLE Approved 6 Total
Florida CLE Approved 7 Total
New York CLE Approved 7 Total
Select Jurisdiction
CLE

Agenda

All times are shown in

  1. Key Elements of Effective Wills

    1. Establishing Statutory Framework
    2. Types of Wills
    3. Verifying and Documenting the Testator's Competency
    4. Beneficiary Designations in Retirement Plans and Life Insurance
    5. Pension Distributions During and After Life
    6. Titling Assets
    7. Designating Fiduciaries
    8. Planning for Disabled Children
    9. Sample Will Verbiage
    10. Sample Forms
    11. Updating Will Documents

  2. Trusts as Alternatives to Wills

    1. When to Recommend a Trust Over a Will
    2. Types and Functions of Trusts
    3. Selecting Trustee(s)
    4. Choosing Trust Situs
    5. Trust Funding Basics
    6. Sample Forms

  3. Basic Tax Concerns

    1. Get Updated on Changing Legislation and Case Law
    2. Federal Estate and Gift Tax Update
    3. Assess the Impact of the State Estate Tax
    4. Individual Income Taxes - Issues You Need to Look At
    5. Generation Skipping Transfer Tax - Recent Changes
    6. Trust Taxation Basics
    7. Disclaimer Trusts
    8. Crummey Powers and the IRS
    9. Frequently Asked Questions About Fiduciary Taxes
    10. Tips for Calculating Tax Deductions
    11. Why a Comparison to Neighboring States' Taxes is Important

  4. Documenting Long-Term Care, Incapacity, and End-of-Life Decisions

    1. Basic Medicaid Planning
    2. Long-Term Care Options and Planning in a Nutshell
    3. Advance Medical Directives
    4. Powers of Attorney
    5. DNR Orders and Organ Donation Considerations

  5. Planning for Unmarried and Remarried Couples

    1. Pre- and Post-Marital Agreements
    2. Planning for Children From Previous Marriage(s)
    3. Estate Planning for Same Sex Couples

  6. Ethics

    1. Defining Who Your Client Is From the Start
    2. Handling Clients With Diminishing Mental Capacity
    3. Lawyers Acting as Fiduciaries
    4. Practicing Before the IRS
    5. Conflicts of Interest

Who Should Attend

This basic level online seminar offers foundational will and trust drafting skills that will benefit:

  • Attorneys
  • Paralegals
  • Trust Officers and Personal Representatives
  • Estate Planners
  • Accountants and CPAs
  • Tax Professionals

Speakers

Luke T Tashjian
Luke T.
Tashjian
Cohen and Wolf, P.C.
Hon. Domenick N Calabrese
Hon. Domenick N.
Calabrese
Calabrese Law PLLC
Jacqueline M Reardon
Jacqueline M.
Reardon
Jacqueline Reardon Attorney
Alexandra B Bowen
Alexandra B.
Bowen
Halloran & Sage
Kenneth A Votre
Kenneth A.
Votre
Votre & Associates, P.C.
Speaker bio
Luke T Tashjian

Luke T. Tashjian

Cohen and Wolf, P.C.
Luke Tashjian

is an attorney who practices corporate and business law; estate planning and administration; and tax law at Cohen and Wolf, P.C. His practice includes structuring tax efficient transactions; advising clients on the tax effects of proposed transactions; preparing estate planning and corporate documents; probating estates and preparing tax returns; representing businesses in mergers, acquisitions, and sales; forming for profit and not-for-profit entities; and representing parties in tax controversies and collection matters. Mr. Tashjian is a frequent author and speaker. He is admitted to practice in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, U.S. Tax Court, and U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut. Mr. Tashjian graduated first in his class from the Boston University School of Law Graduate Tax Program with an LL.M. degree in taxation, after having earned his J.D. degree, with honors, from the University of Connecticut School of Law; and his B.A. degree, summa cum laude, from the University of Connecticut. He is a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.

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Speaker bio
Hon. Domenick N Calabrese

Hon. Domenick N. Calabrese

Calabrese Law PLLC
Domenick Calabrese

is a probate judge and is also an attorney with Calabrese Law PLLC, where he creates estate plans designed to help high-net-worth individuals and families maintain control over their affairs and keep them out of court. His wealth of unique experience and depth of legal knowledge guides clients through even the most complex estate planning and probate matters. Hon. Calabrese is the founding judge of the Waterbury Regional Children's Probate Court. He earned his bachelor of science degree in allied health from the University of Connecticut, his M.B.A. degree from University of New Haven and his J.D. degree from University of Connecticut School of Law. Hon. Calabrese is admitted to the practice of law in Connecticut, Florida and New York.

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Speaker bio
Jacqueline M Reardon

Jacqueline M. Reardon

Jacqueline Reardon Attorney
Jacqueline Reardon

is the principal attorney of the Windsor, Connecticut law office of Jacqueline Reardon Attorney. Since 1990, her practice areas have included estate planning, special needs planning, probate, elder law and conservatorships. Ms. Reardon is a member of the National Association of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), American Bar Association and a member of PLAN of Connecticut. She earned her B.A. degree, magna cum laude, at Stonehill College and her J.D. degree, cum laude, at Suffolk University Law School.

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Speaker bio
Alexandra B Bowen

Alexandra B. Bowen

Halloran & Sage
Alexandra Bowen

is a partner in Halloran Sage's Transactional Law Department. She represents clients in a range of matters related to real estate, corporate business and transactions, including franchise law, and trust and estates. Ms. Bowen efficiently manages integrated commercial and residential real estate closings including builders and investors across the region. She is a member of the Connecticut Bar Association and the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Bowen earned her B.A. degree from the University of Connecticut and J.D. degree from Suffolk University Law School.

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Speaker bio
Kenneth A Votre

Kenneth A. Votre

Votre & Associates, P.C.
Kenneth Votre

is an attorney at Votre & Associates, P.C. He practices commercial litigation, taxation, tax litigation, international business litigation, legal malpractice, and intellectual property litigation. Mr. Votre earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Bridgeport, as well as his J.D. degree, magna cum laude. He earned his LL.M. degree in taxation from the University of Bridgeport and his LL.M. degree in international and comparative law from Georgetown University Law Center. Mr. Votre is admitted to practice law in Connecticut; New York; U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut; U.S. Tax Court; U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal and Second circuits; U.S. Court of International Trade; U.S. Supreme Court; and U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois.

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Yes, the more people you bring from your organization, the more you save. After the first registration, each additional attendee receives a special discount off of their total tuition.
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The OnDemand Video will be available to stream within 14 days of live broadcast date. You will have access to the content for 6 months in your account. If you’re a subscriber, you’ll have access to your course recordings until 7 days after the expiration date of the subscription.
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