Many Connecticut residents believe that once they have a will, their estate plan is complete. While a will is an essential foundation, it is not the full picture. A comprehensive estate plan includes additional legal tools that ensure your wishes are honored, your health care decisions are respected, and your assets are transferred efficiently to your loved ones.
At the Law Offices of Charles L. Kurmay, we help clients build estate plans that go beyond the basics, addressing both financial and personal needs.
The Importance of Advance Directives
One of the most overlooked parts of estate planning are Advanced Directives. These are legal documents that protect your right to make your own medical decisions and allow you to designate someone you trust to act on your behalf if you are unable to do so.
Advance directives ensure that your wishes are followed if you become incapacitated or unable to communicate. Without them, your loved ones may face difficult choices or even court involvement to determine your care.
In Connecticut, advance directives can include:
- Appointment of a Health Care Representative – Names a person to make medical decisions for you if you cannot make them yourself.
• Living Will – States your preferences for life-sustaining treatment if you are terminally ill or permanently unconscious.
• Document of Anatomical Gift – Allows you to donate organs or tissues for transplantation, research, or education.
• Designation of a Conservator of the Person and Estate – Identifies who you want to make personal and medical decisions for you if you are declared legally incapacitate and handle your financial affairs.
These documents provide peace of mind to you and your family, ensuring that your medical and end-of-life choices are respected.
Why Beneficiary Designations Matter
Another commonly missed step in estate planning involves beneficiary designations.
Many assets—such as life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and some bank accounts—allow you to name beneficiaries who will receive those assets directly after your death. This means those funds can transfer without going through probate, saving time and reducing administrative costs. However, one should be prudent and careful in using such designations on financial products. Naming a beneficiary on an asset typically means the asset can be transferred immediately upon death. A mistake or simply an out of date beneficiary designation can lead to incendiary disputes in the probate or superior courts.
Reviewing and updating beneficiary designations regularly is important, especially after major life changes such as marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child. Failing to update these designations can result in assets going to unintended recipients.
Building a Complete Estate Plan
A well-structured estate plan should work together as one coordinated system. A will directs the distribution of your property, while advance directives and beneficiary designations handle key decisions during your lifetime and immediately after your passing.
At the Law Offices of Charles L. Kurmay, we help clients:
• Draft or update wills and trusts
• Create advance directives that reflect personal and medical preferences
• Review and update beneficiary designations
• Plan for incapacity and long-term care
• Ensure their estate plan complies with Connecticut law
The Bottom Line
Estate planning is not just for the wealthy or the elderly—it is for anyone who wants to protect their family and control their legacy. A complete plan provides clarity, prevents conflict, and ensures that your wishes are carried out exactly as intended.
Take the Next Step
If you have a will but are unsure whether your estate plan is complete, our attorneys can help you review and strengthen it.
Call the Law Offices of Charles L. Kurmay at (203) 380-1743 to schedule a confidential consultation and ensure your estate plan covers every important detail.
