Estate Planning Attorney in Westport, CT

A basic Connecticut will package typically runs a few hundred dollars, while a full revocable trust plan generally runs into the low thousands, with pricing based on complexity. We work on a flat-fee basis, so you know the cost upfront, and the free consultation is where we scope the work. Weigh that against the probate cost and estate tax a good plan can avoid.

Most Westport homeowners benefit from a revocable living trust to avoid probate, while renters or those with very simple estates may be fine with a will. A trust also keeps the Westport-Weston Probate Court process and the contents of your estate private. The right answer depends on your assets and family situation, which is exactly what a free consultation is for.

Yes. Assets properly placed in and funded into a revocable living trust before death pass to your beneficiaries without probate. The key word is funded. A trust that was drafted but never had assets retitled into it will not work. Note that a Connecticut estate tax return may still need to be filed within six months of death even when probate is avoided.

Westport estates are handled through the Westport-Weston Probate Court at Westport Town Hall, part of Connecticut's probate district system. The will must be filed within 30 days of death, there is a 150-day creditor claim period, and a full estate typically takes 9 to 18 months. A Connecticut probate attorney can manage the filings for you.

Yes. Connecticut has its own estate tax with an exemption that now tracks the federal exemption, currently in the multi-million-dollar range, with rates up to 12% on the amount above it. This is separate from the federal estate tax. It matters for Westport homeowners because high-value or appreciated waterfront property can push an estate over the threshold.

Connecticut has no inheritance tax, so beneficiaries do not pay tax on what they receive. The estate itself, however, may owe Connecticut estate tax if it exceeds the exemption. The distinction matters: an estate tax is paid by the estate before distribution, an inheritance tax would be paid by the heir. Planning can reduce estate tax exposure.

Connecticut intestacy law decides who inherits, usually a spouse and children, but the split can surprise blended families. The court appoints an administrator for you, you lose any say over who serves as guardian of minor children, and the entire process plays out publicly. A [legally sound Connecticut will](/connecticut-wills) keeps those decisions yours.

Yes. Connecticut now allows trusts to last up to 800 years under the Uniform Statutory Rule Against Perpetuities, which makes long-horizon dynasty planning possible here. It suits high-net-worth Westport families who want to protect appreciated property or a business across generations. The structure depends on your goals, so it is worth discussing the specifics in a consultation.

Look for a Connecticut-licensed attorney who focuses on estate planning, explains options in plain English, and offers a free consultation so you can scope the work before committing. Ask about experience, flat-fee pricing, and whether they help fund the trust rather than just drafting documents. When you are ready, schedule a free consultation with us.