Blog
Category Archives: Estate Planning
The Risks of Using AI to Create Your Estate PlanOct 19 2026 By: John Drapp Posted in: Probate, Estate Planning, Elder Law Type "create a will for me" into an AI chatbot ad you'll get a polished document in seconds. It may use legal terminology, look organized, and even seem tailored to your particular situation. But estate planning isn't a fill-... Read Article |
Wealth Can Fund a Special Needs Plan, But It Can't Replace OneSep 18 2026 By: John Drapp Posted in: Elder Law, Estate Planning Every parent wonders at some point what will happen to their child when they are gone. For most, the worry eases as the child grows up and becomes independent. For parents of a child with a disability though, it often doesn't. It stays ... Read Article |
SECURE 2.0 and Your Retirement Accounts: What Your Beneficiaries Need You to KnowAug 15 2026 By: John Drapp Posted in: Estate Planning, Elder Law For most families, a retirement account is the largest asset left behind at death. Since the SECURE Act (2019) and the SECURE 2.0 Act (signed December 29, 2022), how that account passes to your loved ones, and how much of it they keep after... Read Article |
Protecting Seniors from Financial Abuse in ConnecticutJul 04 2026 By: John Drapp Posted in: Probate, Estate Planning, Elder Law, Conservatorship Older adults lose about $28.3 billion a year to financial exploitation, according to a 2023 AARP report. Roughly 72 percent of that comes from people the victim knows: relatives, friends, and caregivers. Age raises the risk. Many seniors... Read Article |
4 Legal Considerations Before You Say “I Do”Jun 26 2026 By: John Drapp Posted in: Real Estate, Estate Planning Wedding planning comes with a long list of details. Amid the excitement, couples rarely want to think about divorce, a health crisis, financial strain, or the death of a spouse. Newlywed planning means getting your legal and financial ho... Read Article |
3 Estate Planning Steps for Every New Connecticut HomeownerMay 04 2026 By: John Drapp Posted in: Real Estate, Estate Planning Congratulations on your new home! A purchase this size changes your finances and your family’s plans, so your estate plan should change with it. Take these three steps after closing. 1. Update Your Address File a change of addre... Read Article |
How to Update Your Estate Plan After the Death of a Loved OneApr 19 2026 By: John Drapp Posted in: Estate Planning Losing a loved one, whether a relative, partner, or close friend, takes time to process. When you're ready, one of the most important things you can do is update your estate plan. A death can leave gaps in your documents that can cause ... Read Article |
Expecting an inheritance?Mar 13 2026 By: John Drapp Posted in: Estate Planning An inheritance can change your life, but only if it lasts. One study found that about one-third of Americans who received an inheritance saw their wealth decrease or stay the same afterward, which suggests they spent it all. Among baby boom... Read Article |
Medicare vs. Medicaid: What Each Program Covers and Why It Matters for Long-Term CareFeb 15 2026 By: John Drapp Posted in: Estate Planning, Elder Law If you or someone you love is approaching Medicare eligibility — or already there — you have probably heard both "Medicare" and "Medicaid" mentioned in the same breath. Many people assume the two programs are largely... Read Article |
Understanding Connecticut Intestate Succession: Who Inherits When There’s No Will?Jan 25 2026 By: John Drapp Posted in: Probate, Estate Planning What happens to someone’s property in Connecticut if they die without a will? It’s a question people often ask, sometimes while planning ahead, other times after a loved one has passed. It’s also a question people make a lot of ... Read Article |
Tips for Dealing with Your Digital AssetsJan 19 2026 By: John Drapp Posted in: , Estate Planning Digital assets are a category of commonly overlooked property that plays a crucial role in your estate plan and the legacy you leave behind after your death. It’s all right if you did not consider these items when you first created your will or... Read Article |
Do Your Parents Have an Estate Plan?Dec 15 2025 By: John Drapp Posted in: Estate Planning Are you a member of the sandwich generation – those that are caring for their children AND their parents at the same time? If so, it’s critical that you know whether or not your parents have an existing estate plan. While the details ... Read Article |
Do I really need a power of attorney and advanced healthcare directives?Sep 24 2023 By: John Drapp Posted in: Probate, Estate Planning, Conservatorship “Do I really need a power of attorney and advanced healthcare directive?” This is a question that I’m asked probably more often than I’m asked “do I really need a will?” The simple answer is no, you d... Read Article |
Who makes your health care decisions if you're incapacitated?Aug 27 2023 By: John Drapp Posted in: Estate Planning Connecticut law gives you, as an adult, the right to make decisions about your own health care. This includes the right to accept treatment, as well as the right to reject treatment, even if it may save your life. But what if you&rsqu... Read Article |
Do I really need a will?Jul 23 2023 By: John Drapp Posted in: Estate Planning This is a question I get asked all the time. It’s usually followed by some minimization of assets such as “I don’t have much.” The simple answer to this question is no. You don’t need a will. But should you have o... Read Article |