Probate Administration

Probate is the process of carrying out the administration of an estate in the Probate Court after someone passes. When a person who owns assets or property passes away, known as the decedent, the Probate Court oversees the transfer of those assets to the rightful heirs or beneficiaries. There are a few different ways to probate depending on the decedent’s estate planning documents and assets owned. This process can be exhaustive and emotional for those who have recently lost someone. Not only are you grieving the loss of your loved one, but now you may feel inundated with complicated legal and financial requirements, within specific timeframes, that you are unfamiliar navigating. The probate administration team at Doyon & White, can help you through this complex process.

If your loved one left a will, the division of assets will be carried out according to their wishes contained in the will. If you have been named Executor or Executrix in a will, you have several fiduciary responsibilities, including taking possession of the decedent’s assets, paying creditors, and administering the estate in a timely manner.

If your loved one has passed away without a will (intestate), his or her property will be divided in accordance with the laws of intestacy. If there is no will, you may still be able to petition the court to be appointed the Administrator or Administratrix of the estate. This process requires notification of all possible heirs and a hearing before the Probate Court. The Connecticut laws of intestacy are complex and can be confusing. Our Probate attorneys can guide you through this process.

Whether or not a will is found, Probate Court filings need to be initiated within 30 days of a loved one’s passing. Even if there is minimal cash or assets, the legal way to transfer ownership is through Probate Administration. Complications can arise years later, or when a spouse or child passes, if an estate has not been properly probated. This process can take months to years depending on the estate assets, property owned, involvement of the beneficiaries, and potential for litigation. While the probate process may seem daunting, our dedicated probate team can help you navigate the court and filings and ensure that your loved one’s estate is probated correctly.

Our Firm offers free initial consultation meetings to anyone seeking advice about the Connecticut probate process. This initial consultation serves as an opportunity for you and an Attorney from our team to meet with each other, discuss pertinent information about your loved one and ensure that your needs are met.

Beneficiary Representation

At Doyon & White Law Group, we focus much of our probate representation on advocating and fighting for those who find themselves disadvantaged and forced to rely on others to appropriately handle and provide the information and assets that are rightfully owed to them as either heirs or beneficiaries. Our current laws and court processes drastically tip the scales of power in favor of the person appointed or delegated to oversee caring for someone else’s assets, commonly referred to as a fiduciary. These fiduciaries seemingly hold all the cards, as they are often the only people with access to funds and property, as well as being the only people with the right to ask questions regarding information surrounding these assets.

In some cases, you may not know your rights have been violated or your inheritance has been affected. If you are the beneficiary of an Estate, Trust, Retirement Account, Investment Account, Bank Account, or Insurance policy, and you are seeking answers regarding the handling of your funds and property, the experienced attorneys at Doyon & White are here to help level the playing field and provide transparency and accountability from fiduciaries.

Conservatorships

Conservatorships can either be voluntary or involuntary. In a voluntary conservatorship, the probate court will appoint a conservator at the request of an adult who voluntarily seeks assistance in managing his or her affairs, without making a finding that the individual is incapable. In an involuntary conservatorship, a conservator is appointed only if the probate court determines that the individual is unable to care for him or herself, or unable to manage his or her financial affairs.

In Connecticut, there are two kinds of conservators. The first is referred to as a conservator of the person who the probate court appoints to supervise personal affairs and ensure that the conserved person’s basic needs, including food, shelter, clothing, and health care are met. The second is a conservator of the estate. This person supervises the financial affairs of a conserved person, including caring for property, managing bank accounts, and ensuring the safe handling of the conserved person’s income.

The Probate Court prefers to appoint a family member of the individual, or his or her close friend, as the conservator. However, sometimes the court will appoint a lawyer. The court tries to determine who the conserved person prefers but, if a conflict exists, may appoint an uninterested party. The same person or people may serve both as Conservator of the person and Conservator of the estate, or these positions can be split amongst different, qualified individuals.

Connecticut Conservatorships are appointed for adults who are incapable of caring for themselves or managing their finances. Oftentimes these adults are at risk of being abused, exploited, or considered a danger to themselves, and a conservatorship is the best way to protect them and their assets. Conservators are also appointed for an adult suffering from a stroke, dementia, or Alzheimer’s. A conservator can help family members, friends and institutions intervene in assisting and protecting an individual from these dangers once an individual has lost the capacity to do so themselves.

Conservatorship petition proceedings are often complicated and require the presentation of specific medical evidence. A judge must be sure a Conservatorship is in the best interests of the person when making a ruling. Once appointed, a Conservator has ongoing duties to the conserved and to the probate court to be sure they are working in the best interests of the conserved. If you know someone who is struggling with losing their ability to care for themselves, don’t navigate these waters alone. Contact the experienced attorneys at Doyon & White to discuss your options.

Final Accountings

As a boutique law firm dedicated to providing personalized and comprehensive Probate Administration, we can assist clients at any phase of the probate administration. Acting as a fiduciary during the probate process can be a daunting responsibility for one to take on, and our experienced team can guide you through the intricate process of final accountings and the seamless closure of estates.

We understand the complexities associated with compiling accurate final accountings, and we recognize the importance of meticulous attention to detail to ensure probate court approval. If you have administered an estate without an attorney and are struggling with the final phases of administration, probate court approval or the distribution on assets, our team can provide fiduciaries with the necessary resources and expertise to facilitate a smooth and efficient closing of estates.

Our deep understanding of Connecticut probate laws and regulations enables us to anticipate potential challenges and proactively address them, minimizing any complications that may arise during the final accounting process. Our commitment to transparency and clear communication ensures that our clients remain well-informed throughout the entirety of the proceedings.

At Doyon & White, we pride ourselves on our personalized approach, tailoring our services to meet the specific needs of our clients, however great or small. We strive to alleviate the burden associated with probate administration, allowing fiduciaries to focus on honoring their loved ones’ legacies.

Ancillary Probate

Ancillary probate is a secondary proceeding required in a state outside of where the original probate proceeding is taking place. This secondary proceeding is required where the deceased left property or assets in more than one state, and because each state has different property laws, a probate proceeding must be made in each state where property is located. At Doyon and White, we can assist families whose loved ones may have lived outside of Connecticut at the time of their death but still owned property in Connecticut.  

Trustee Representation

Understanding the intricacies of trust administration is pivotal to the conscientious management and distribution of assets, while always adhering to the intentions outlined in the Trust document. As Trustees, we meticulously oversee the transfer and management of assets, interpret complex trust documents, and facilitate effective communication among beneficiaries and trustees. Our attorneys are experienced in handling the complexities that often arise during trust management, safeguarding your interests while preserving the legacy intended by the grantor. This is why our Estate Planning team is strong in drafting Estate Planning documents.

With the security of legal oversight, appointed trustees can navigate the particulars of trust administration with confidence, secure in the knowledge that potential legal complications are minimized. Our goal is to safeguard the interests of all parties involved, enabling trustees to fulfill their obligations without compromising the trust’s integrity or inviting unnecessary legal challenges.

Our team is dedicated to providing transparent guidance, ensuring that trustees fulfill their fiduciary responsibilities with the highest level of integrity and compliance with Connecticut trust laws.