prepaid funeral contract protections for 2026

New Connecticut Law Strengthens Protections for Prepaid Funeral Contracts

  Planning ahead for funeral expenses is one of the most thoughtful gifts you can leave your loved ones. Prepaying for funeral arrangements can ease financial stress, reduce uncertainty, and ensure your wishes are carried out. Beginning July 1, 2026, Connecticut is strengthening consumer protections for people who purchase prepaid funeral contracts. The new law…

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Single adult estate planning

Estate Planning for Single Adults: Why You Need a Plan Even If You’re Not Married

Many people assume estate planning is something only married couples or parents need to worry about. In reality, single adults often have an even greater need for comprehensive estate planning. Whether you are young and building your career, enjoying retirement, caring for aging parents, or simply living independently, having a plan in place ensures that…

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Incapacitated Without Legal Documents

What Happens If You’re Incapacitated Without Legal Documents in Connecticut?

Many people think estate planning is only about what happens after death. In reality, one of the most important reasons to have an estate plan is to protect yourself while you are still alive. An unexpected illness, accident, stroke, or cognitive decline can leave you unable to manage your finances or make healthcare decisions. If…

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Why Every Adult Needs a Power of Attorney and Advance Healthcare Directive

Financial and Medical Independence: Why Powers of Attorney Matter

Most people associate independence with making their own decisions, managing their finances, and directing their medical care. But what happens if an accident, illness, or unexpected medical event leaves you unable to communicate or make decisions for yourself? Without the proper legal documents in place, even your closest family members may be unable to step…

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Father’s Day Estate Planning for Connecticut dads

Father’s Day Estate Planning for Connecticut Dads

Father’s Day is often filled with cookouts, cards, handmade gifts, and time spent with family. But for many fathers, one of the most meaningful ways to protect the people they love is not something that fits in a gift bag. It is having an estate plan in place. At Reed Wilson Case, we work with…

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What Adult Children Should Know Before Taking Care of Aging Parents

What Adult Children Should Know Before Taking Care of Aging Parents

For many families, there comes a moment when the relationship between parent and child begins to shift. The people who once provided guidance, support, and care may now need help themselves. Sometimes the change happens slowly over several years. Other times, it begins after a fall, hospitalization, memory diagnosis, or sudden medical emergency. Becoming a…

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Before You Travel This Summer Estate Planning Tips for Connecticut Families

Before You Travel This Summer: Estate Planning Tips for Connecticut Families

Summer is a season filled with vacations, graduations, beach trips, family reunions, and time away from home. Whether you are planning a weekend in Rhode Island, a cross-country road trip, or an international vacation, summer travel often reminds us how important it is to be prepared for the unexpected. At Reed Wilson Case, we encourage…

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can parents access medical records for college students

Can Parents Access Medical Records for a College Student in Connecticut?

As students head off to college, many parents assume they can still step in during an emergency, especially when it comes to medical decisions. But once a child turns 18, the legal landscape changes quickly. In Connecticut, parents no longer have automatic access to their child’s medical records or the authority to make healthcare decisions,…

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5 year look back in connecticut

How the 5-Year Lookback Period Actually Works in Connecticut

Planning for long-term care is one of the most important and often misunderstood parts of estate and elder law planning. One term that frequently comes up is the “5-year lookback period.” If you or a loved one may need extensive care in your home or in a nursing home in the future, understanding how this…

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Selling a House After Death in Connecticut

Can You Sell a House in Connecticut If One Owner Has Passed Away?

Selling a House After Death in Connecticut: What You Need to Know Losing a loved one is difficult enough without the added stress of figuring out what happens to their home. One of the most common questions families ask is: Can you sell a house in Connecticut if one owner has passed away? The answer…

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