This post concludes and recaps our series on the handling of Hartford, Connecticut cases in which one passed away without a valid last will and testament. We felt it was necessary to write on this topic due to the fact that, unfortunately, far too many people die without having made arrangements for the disbursement of their assets. The failure to make such arrangements can lead to problems for the heirs and results which are inconsistent with the deceased’s final wishes. The goal of our last several articles has been to provide information which will help people to fully understand their situation. It has also been our goal to provide information which will help people to make an informed decision when they are selecting an estate planning or probate attorney. If you require assistance then contact our office today to speak with a lawyer.
We have discussed several topics over our recent articles. Issues which we have analyzed include:
- Connecticut law when one dies without a will
- The probate process for Hartford cases where there was no will
- Heir determination when there was not a valid will
- Property dispute in cases where there was no will
There are several reasons why we chose to address these issues. First, when one passes away without a will then they are considered to have died “intestate.” This means that their assets will be divided in a predetermined order. It does not matter whether or not this order is consistent with what would have been the deceased’s final wishes. Second, knowing what to expect from the process will help to ensure that things go as smoothly as possible. Third, understanding who will, and who will not, be considered an heir can help to avoid disputes. Finally, it is important to understand that not all property will be included in the estate.
One point we stressed in each of these articles is that it is important to discuss your situation with an attorney as soon as possible. If a family member has passed then there are steps which must be taken immediately. Experienced counsel can help you to ensure that your matter is handled properly. Our Hartford estate planning & probate lawyers have extensive experience in handling such matters and we are ready to assist you. Contact us today. We also service the Connecticut areas of Wethersfield, New Britain, Bristol, Rocky Hill, West Hartford, East Hartford, Glastonbury, and Manchester, as well as the Middlesex County cities of Middletown and Cromwell.
