Joan Reed Wilson Esq. - Managing Partner Practices in the areas of estate planningelder law, Medicaid planning, conservatorships, probate and trust administration, and real estate. Admitted to practice in the States of Connecticut and California, she is the President of the CT Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), an active member of the Elder Law Section of the Connecticut Bar Association, accredited with the PLAN of CT for Pooled Trusts, with the Veteran’s Administration to assist clients with obtaining Aid & Attendance benefits for long-term care needs and with the Agency on Aging’s CareLink Network.
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Is There a Transfer on Death Deed in CT?

I recently saw a post written by a funeral home in Massachusetts about a transfer on death deed, that seems to have gone viral. According to Facebook, the post was shared over 83,000 times. That’s how I saw it; because people who I know shared it. Unfortunately, while there are some really helpful tips in…

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Secure Act 2.0

Secure Act 2.0 Changes for Beneficiaries and How it Will Affect Children who Inherit

In December 2019, the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act marked a pivotal moment in retirement planning, introducing substantial revisions to beneficiary distribution rules. However, its impact was swiftly eclipsed by the onset of a global pandemic, diverting attention from its provisions. Now, with the nation gradually shifting focus beyond the pandemic’s…

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capital gains tax

How To Avoid Capital Gains the RIGHT Way

Even though it’s the shortest month of the year (even during a Leap Year!), February brings forth many significant milestones. Those of us in the northeast eagerly await the Groundhog’s report hoping for warmer days ahead, many people think of February as the month of love with Valentine’s Day on the 14th, it is often…

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Probate Avoidance

Probate Avoidance Mistakes

Probate can be a complex and lengthy process that many people wish to avoid when planning their estates. While it’s possible to sidestep probate through various means, such as trusts, joint ownership, and beneficiary designations, individuals often make critical mistakes in their attempts to avoid probate that sometimes cause more harm than going through probate.…

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clear to close vs pre approva

Pre-Approval Vs. Clear to Close

While “pre-approval” and “clear to close” may sound similar, they serve distinct purposes and signify different milestones in the mortgage approval process. Since February is known as the start of the Spring real estate market, many people are likely sprucing up to list their homes for sale and others are getting their ducks in a…

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Will and Estate Planning

What is the Difference Between a Will and Estate Planning?

A Will, also referred to as a Last Will and testament, is the document that most people consider essential to ensure that their wishes are carried out after their passing. On the other hand, many people do not think that they have enough money to warrant having an Estate Plan. While both are integral parts…

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