Twitter Connecticut Lesbian & Gay Law Blog A Connecticut Law Blog The Nutmeg Lawyer Connecticut Employment Law Blog A Public Defender Connecticut Sports Law Blog Connecticut Employee Rights Blog Connecticut Business Litigation BlogIrene C. Olszewski, Esq. | November 9, 2011
One of the most common problems I face with clients handling the estate of a deceased loved one concerns bank accounts and other financial instruments. In the cases to which I refer, a parent dies leaving no surviving spouse and at least two or more surviving children.
Hypothetically, let’s say that dad passed away before mom. [...]
Irene C. Olszewski, Esq. | November 8, 2011
People change their last names for a variety of reasons: marriage and divorce being the most common. Sometimes, people change their last names (or entire names) because they either don’t like the one given to them at birth or they have some ill feelings toward a family member and don’t want to be associated with [...]
Irene C. Olszewski, Esq. | October 4, 2011
When a person dies, the settlement of their estate falls under the jurisdiction of the Probate Court in the town that person lived in at the time of their death. The person who dies is known as the decedent.
Within 30 days of the decedent’s death, an application should be made to the Probate Court to [...]
Irene C. Olszewski, Esq. | September 30, 2011
The average person finds most legal terms confusing and I certainly understand why. Two of the most commonly misunderstood legal terms in the probate world are executor and administrator. I’ll attempt to clarify the terms for you here.
When a person dies leaving a Last Will and Testament, they have designated a person (or persons)within that [...]
Irene C. Olszewski, Esq. | May 13, 2011
When a person has a Last Will and Testament prepared, he or she (known as the Testator or Testatrix) may dispose of real estate and personal property in any way they wish; however, this is subject to the limitations of a spousal elective share and a family allowance.
If your spouse dies leaving a Will that [...]
Irene C. Olszewski, Esq. | May 11, 2011
There are a variety of reasons that an adult person might wish to change his or her name. If a name change is sought at the time of a divorce decree, the Family Court judge has the jurisdiction to order the change. At other times, however, you must file an application with the Probate Court [...]
Irene C. Olszewski, Esq. | January 24, 2011
72-year old Etta James, the famed jazz singer most known for the classic, At Last, was diagnosed with advanced dementia and leukemia. She is in need of total care and is unable to sign her own name. Her husband of 41 years, Artis Mills has asked the court to add his name to her sole [...]
Irene C. Olszewski, Esq. | January 21, 2011
As most of you are aware, Connecticut made significant changes to its Probate System. There are now 59 Probate Districts, scaled down from 117. This includes 5 Regional Children’s Courts.
It has been a bit confusing for some people, so I’d like to point you in the right direction if you need to determine which Probate [...]
Irene C. Olszewski, Esq. | January 10, 2011
I had the honor of attending the retirement dinner for Judge John W. Cooney on Saturday afternoon at the Manchester Country Club. Judge Cooney served as Manchester’s Judge of Probate for 17 years. He was an exemplary jurist who was respected by judges and lawyers alike.
Judge John W. Cooney with Attorney Irene Olszewski
When I first [...]
Irene C. Olszewski, Esq. | November 20, 2010
I receive a lot of calls from people whose spouse just died and they are confused about what to do after the funeral. Most often, I hear from people who were told by the funeral director that they should contact a lawyer to help them with the Probate estate.
“But my wife had a Will,” [...]
