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The number of unmarried partners living together nearly tripled in the past two decades, to 17 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. And there’s a growing trend that more of those couples are buying a home together prior to getting marr ... Continue Reading »

In today’s society, nearly everyone has some form of digital presence. From email to Facebook to online banking, a large part of our personal and financial lives are online. These modern conveniences make it easier to manage our ... Continue Reading »

As a business owner, the need for proper estate planning is essential, but in addition, a proper succession plan for your business is just as important. Given the fact that many small to midsized business owners spend a large amount of time and energ ... Continue Reading »

Anyone looking to buy or sell a home these days? If so, you know that homes are selling quickly. As a seller, or a buyer, what should you be thinking about? One of the primary explanations for the recent surge in prices is a lack of inventory, i.e ... Continue Reading »

Many of us have experienced significant life changes over the past year, particularly as the pandemic affected everything from health to employment to schooling. If you have divorce or custody orders that have been substantially impacted by life chan ... Continue Reading »

Cybersecurity breaches and computer crimes against our government and large businesses have made national news headlines for several years. In 2010, cyberattacks were listed for the first time as a top ten threat to global businesses. By 2020, it was ... Continue Reading »

On June 22, 2021, Governor Lamont signed into law a bill legalizing recreational marijuana in the state of Connecticut. This law creates a whole new set of rules for employers, most of which will not go into effect until July 1, 2022. In essence, ... Continue Reading »

On June 7, 2021, Governor Lamont signed a bill requiring employers to disclose salary ranges for positions to both applicants and employees. The law also expands Connecticut’s prohibition on gender-based pay discrimination to now require equal ... Continue Reading »

There are some crazy laws from Connecticut's past that still exist today. Why? Because they were created during a time when society looked very different, and it required unique guidelines to keep the peace. They were never stricken from the rule ... Continue Reading »

Attorney Allison Poirier wraps up National Elder Law Month with a video on Medicaid Rules for Eligiblity. Topics covered include: -How much money are you able to keep -How to spend down your assets to become eligible -Tools for preserving your a ... Continue Reading »

Every year, millions of older Americans lose billions of dollars to scammers. And while millennials are now the most likely age group to fall victim to scams, the 60+ age group is the most frequent target of fraud, and the monetary loss is highest in ... Continue Reading »

Since May is National Elder Law Month, we have two vlog posts this month that will focus on important aspects of Elder Law: Long-Term Care Planning and Medicaid Eligibilty. Our first entry is Long-Term Care Planning. Check back at the end of the ... Continue Reading »

Joint accounts, rights of survivorship, accounts payable on death, trustee accounts, powers of attorney, designated beneficiaries – with all of the various methods of managing and transferring property and assets, does anyone really need a Will ... Continue Reading »

April is National Distracted Driving Month. Though traffic has dropped significantly since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, our roads have actually gotten more dangerous. More than 700 people are still injured in distracted driving crashes every d ... Continue Reading »

We're changing things up this month with a vlog post! Attorney Allison Poirier sat down pre-pandemic with Community Voice Channel to discuss estate planning, probate, trusts, estate taxes, and more. If you've got questions, they're s ... Continue Reading »

It has become a common practice for employers to regularly distribute an "employee handbook” or "employment manual" (hereinafter "handbook”). Handbooks typically summarize compensation plans and insurance coverage; set ... Continue Reading »

At Kahan Kerensky Capossela, LLP (“KKC”), we assist many clients with the process of starting a new business each year, and it's not uncommon for a potential client to call our office and ask if they really need a lawyer to compl ... Continue Reading »

The growing prevalence and value of 401(k) plans and IRAs, and other retirement accounts have become more significant portions of many estates – and they generally are not governed by a will. The distribution of retirement accounts is governed, ... Continue Reading »

There is no denying it. Probate has a bad reputation. Chances are that if you have heard anything about probate, it is that probate is something to be avoided at all costs. And while minimizing interaction with the probate court can be accomplished ( ... Continue Reading »

Tax season is a great time to examine the contents of your old filing cabinet and desk drawers, reduce the clutter, and shred any documents you no longer need. Many clients ask for guidance on how long you should retain your personal income tax ... Continue Reading »

COVID-19 has changed virtually every aspect of our lives, including access to the court system. Court dockets have ground to a halt, there are no jury trials for the foreseeable future, and your right to confront a witness is often confined to a vide ... Continue Reading »

Making the wrong moves after an accident can affect your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve. Here are 7 things that you should be aware of that can negatively impact your claim:   Refusing to Seek Immediate Medical Attention Th ... Continue Reading »

One of my favorite parts of being a business lawyer is working with clients that are starting new businesses. Over the years, Kahan Kerensky Capossela, LLP has advised and guided hundreds, if not thousands, of clients navigate the process of starting ... Continue Reading »

We often think that celebrities, due to their wealth and fame, are surrounded by attorneys, accountants, and other advisors who prepare detailed plans for the star’s assets. However, this is sometimes not the case. The potential consequences fo ... Continue Reading »

Here’s a sobering statistic: according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1 in 3 Americans will be involved in a drunk driving crash in their lifetime. The fallout from a drunk driving accident can have massive consequences ... Continue Reading »

According to a recent survey published by the Washington Post, there are more than 400 million privately owned guns in the U.S. In another survey performed by the Pew Research Center, it was reported that as of 2017, one in every five women owne ... Continue Reading »

The Coronavirus has changed our behaviors in many ways, including how real estate closings are being conducted. For now, the days of a conference room filled with sellers, buyers, their attorneys and real estate agents, happily consummating a real es ... Continue Reading »

Just like doctor’s appointments, car maintenance, and furnace servicing, business owners should be conducting a yearly checkup on their business. Here are 10 important things to consider in order to run your business better and make sure you&rs ... Continue Reading »

On July 24, 2020, Connecticut’s Governor Lamont issued Executive Order No. 7JJJ regarding the processing of COVID-19-related workers' compensation cases. The Executive Order creates a rebuttable presumption that an employee who su ... Continue Reading »

With the growing popularity and success of short-term home rental platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO, many property owners may be wondering if they too can list their home for short-term rental. The Connecticut Law Tribune reported that, in 2018, ... Continue Reading »

No one likes to think about their own mortality. To a large extent, we’d rather believe we are invincible (to some degree) and that debilitating or terminal illnesses are things that only happen to other people.  However, if there’s ... Continue Reading »

With most people currently sheltering in place, now is a great time to reassess your estate plan to make sure it meets your current needs and desires. Major life events, such as the ones listed below, should prompt you to take your estate planning do ... Continue Reading »

Do you have a home-based business, or are you thinking about starting one? If so, you're not alone. The Small Business Administration reports that more than half of all U.S. businesses are based out of the owner's home, and it is estimated th ... Continue Reading »

If you’re like most pet owners, pets are more than just property. They are members of your family. They give you boundless love and affection without asking for anything in return (except for perhaps a belly rub or tasty treat now and again). S ... Continue Reading »

So, you want to be the next Fixer Upper©. In today’s world, it seems as if there is a new show on HGTV or DIY every week about flipping houses. They make it look so easy and always seem to have a quick remedy when something goes wrong. But ... Continue Reading »

In recent years, many Americans have been able to find out more about themselves and their family by purchasing one of the dozens of DNA testing kits available on the open market. You may have even purchased a kit yourself from 23andMe or Ancestry.co ... Continue Reading »

Is your business susceptible to fraud? Yes! The truth is that nearly everyone and every business has some degree of risk with regard to fraud. Even the most careful individuals and closely managed businesses can fall prey to any one of the numerous d ... Continue Reading »

Your loved one planned well, had a Power of Attorney (“POA”) prepared, and appointed you as their agent. Later, when you attempt to use the POA to help your loved one manage their finances, the bank refuses to accept the POA and denies yo ... Continue Reading »

Did you know there are over 4.5 million dog bites a year in the United States? Did you know that dog bites send more than 1000 people to the emergency room every day? Did you know Connecticut is one of the top 10 states for number an ... Continue Reading »

Some of your friends are starting to buy their first homes. You’ve got a good steady job, you’ve been paying rent for a few years, you’ve built up some savings for a down payment, so you’ve decided it’s time to “ta ... Continue Reading »

At the close of the 2019 legislative session, the Connecticut General Assembly made significant changes to one of Connecticut’s more extensive (and burdensome) environmental laws, the Connecticut Transfer Act. These changes, effective October 1 ... Continue Reading »

In today’s high-tech society, many people have decided to start their own primary or secondary businesses to take advantage of the opportunities afforded by the web or to enter into a second career. Before you set out to begin a new business ve ... Continue Reading »

Your child is getting ready to go off to college this fall. Are you prepared?  Parents and their college-bound children discuss housing choices, meal plans, student loans (those FAFSA forms!), CHET savings plans, scholarships, work-stud ... Continue Reading »

Driving is one the most dangerous things most of us will ever do. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are more than 30,000 deaths and over 2 million injuries from motor vehicle crashes in the U.S. every year ... Continue Reading »

Trusts can be important tools in estate planning. They can serve many of the functions of a will, but they don’t completely eliminate the need for a will. They can be used to manage your assets after your death, protect those assets from your c ... Continue Reading »

According to Esurance, Connecticut is one of the top ten states where you're most likely to get a driving citation. Many drivers simply pay their traffic ticket without question, thinking it's just a one time fine, usually just a fe ... Continue Reading »

A common misconception about estate planning is that it is only for those who are old and rich. For this reason, most people think estate planning should go hand-in-hand with retirement planning, and younger individuals with fewer assets move estate ... Continue Reading »