Estate Planning Information

Experienced Attorney Offers Estate Planning Guidance

Federal Estate Tax and Connecticut Estate Tax may be payable when someone dies. In my probate and estates practice we prepare the necessary documents to help you and your family protect and preserve assets and plan for the future. We are also available to provide probate administration services including settling and distributing estates. It is important for you to obtain competent, professional advice. Please contact Attorney Elizabeth A. Edwards to schedule an appointment.

Estates in Connecticut

For estates of certain individuals, the Connecticut Estate and Gift Tax may apply. The fiduciary must file a Connecticut Estate and Gift Tax Return with the Commissioner of Revenue Services and a copy with the appropriate Probate Court. The filing deadline is six months from the date of death, and interest and penalties will accrue from that date.

Smaller Estates

For smaller Connecticut estates, the fiduciary must file a Connecticut Estate Tax Return only with the Probate Court. The deadline is six months from the date of death.

Larger Estates

For larger Connecticut taxable estates, the fiduciary must file an original Connecticut Estate and Gift Tax Return with the Commissioner of Revenue Services and a copy with the Probate Court for the appropriate district. The filing deadline is nine months from the date of death (in some cases six months from the date of death). Interest and penalties will accrue from that date.

There may also be a Connecticut Estate Tax due for certain cases where the filing of a Federal Estate Tax Return is required. The filing of a U.S. Treasury Department Federal Estate Tax Return may be required if the total value of the estate’s assets exceeds a certain amount, as specified in the Internal Revenue Code. The fiduciary must file both a Federal and a Connecticut Individual income Tax Return for the individual for the tax year in which the individual died, and pay any state income tax that may be due. The fiduciary may also be required to file a Fiduciary Income Tax form and a Connecticut Income Tax Return for Trusts and Estates.

An effective estate plan can provide peace of mind for you and your family. Please contact Attorney Elizabeth A. Edwards to discuss your estate planning needs.