- GuardianshipYou can also designate a property guardian or trustee in your Will to manage your children's inheritance until they reach adulthood. The property guardian is under the jurisdiction of the Probate Court and is required to file an inventory of the estate and annual paperwork that documents how the assets have been managed and spent. Property guardianship is terminated when the child turns 18.
- Theft
- EmbezzlementSeniors often accumulate significant wealth and suffer from diminished capabilities. Thus, they are particularly vulnerable to fraud, undue influence, embezzlement and other schemes to deprive them of their hard-earned assets. Our elder law lawyers are alert to these threats and, in conjunction with our litigation team, can use the law to protect seniors from financial abuse.
- Mergers and AcquisitionsWe are committed to finding solutions tailored to the unique needs of each business and individual client. For companies, we handle all aspects of business law, contracts, mergers and acquisitions, employment, litigation, trademarks, and commercial real estate. For individuals, we offer guidance on estate planning, taxation, probate, probate court disputes, and elder law. With a broad range of business and personal services, our legal team can find the solution that works for you.
- Business FormationBusiness Formation: Once you have devised a winning business model, we can bring our skill and experience to bear to help you to determine the optimal business entity and structure for your operations. We can help you through the management, financial, income tax, and liability issues you need to be aware of when forming a business. Our experience spans a wide range of industries.
- Business DisputesAt Chipman Mazzucco Emerson, our team of dedicated legal professionals understands federal and state taxation of business. We take great pride in helping to minimize the effect of taxes on business owners across Fairfield County and Western Connecticut. Our business law firm works closely with our clients’ financial, insurance, and accounting advisers to gather detailed information and devise comprehensive solutions that minimize income and other taxes. With an effective strategy, you can reduce the risk of costly tax disputes while also reducing tax costs.
- Business TransactionsOur legal team is committed to finding solutions that fit the unique needs of each client we represent. We handle all aspects of business transactions, litigation, commercial real estate, and probate for decedents with property in Connecticut.
- Limited Liability Companies
- Construction Contracts
- Trade Secrets
- Intellectual Property
- Wrongful TerminationUnfortunately, the employment relationship is not always a success. Our Fairfield attorneys advise clients frequently on the potential claims that could arise from termination and routinely prepare, review, negotiate and revise separation agreements. These agreements can bring warranted financial compensation to employees, while affording finality and certainty to employers.
- Employment ContractAt Chipman Mazzucco Emerson, we frequently prepare and review employment agreements. In addition to defining compensation and duties, these documents often impose restrictions on soliciting customers, working for competitors and disclosing confidential information. Employers want to protect the businesses that they have built up; employees want the flexibility to work freely in the field they know best. These competing factors come together in a typical employment agreement.
- Employment Litigation
- Severance Agreement
- Sexual HarassmentIn addition to agreements for individual employees, our lawyers prepare employee handbooks to provide broad guidance to all employees. These documents can address policies on subjects as diverse as computer security, paid time off and sexual harassment. A better definition of workplace conduct enables employers and employees to know exactly what to expect.
- Real Estate LitigationWe have handled the acquisition of, and financing for, thousands of properties. With our wide-ranging experience in real estate law, we can help you find solutions no matter what situation you find yourself in.
- Construction LitigationAs clients move through the real estate acquisition process, we work closely with them and their consultants to assess environmental constraints and allocate risk. We examine title reports and surveys, arrange for title insurance, review loan documents and consider property tax issues. Our team can also prepare and review construction contracts, deal with mechanic’s liens and surety bonds, and arbitrate claims. We partner with all participants in the real estate process, which means we fully understand the nuances of every law and transaction.
- Land Use and ZoningFew areas of endeavor offer as many rewards—or come with as many risks—as commercial real estate. Unexpected problems can occur at practically any phase. At Chipman Mazzucco Emerson, our real estate and land use attorneys take seriously the challenge of reducing that risk and enabling our developer clients in Fairfield County and elsewhere to profit fully from their investment. In addition, we represent all parties involved in real estate, from contractors to construction lenders and from architects to associations of homeowners.
- Social Security DisabilityThere are many government programs that benefit the elderly, such as Medicaid, Medicare, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Income (SSDI), and more. However, applying for and obtaining the benefits of these programs can be frustrating and complicated. Any elder law attorney in Connecticut at our firm is backed by years of experience and is prepared to help you understand the benefits that are available to you and what the application process is and what your responsibilities are.
- Estate PlanningIf you are a parent with minor children, you need to prepare for the unthinkable possibility of leaving them prematurely. In addition to a Will, several different estate planning tools are available to specify who will raise your children and to ensure they have access to the resources you can make available to them after you pass away.
- WillsProbate is a court proceeding to determine that a document that purports to express the decedent’s final wishes is actually the decedent’s last will and testament. As part of the proceeding, the court will appoint an executor: someone who is responsible for carrying out the terms of the will.
- TrustsIncome tax goals: The IDIT (Intentionally Defective Irrevocable Trust); NING Trust (Nevada Incomplete Gift Non-Grantor Trust); DING Trust (Delaware Incomplete Gift Non-Grantor Trust); WING Trust (Wyoming Incomplete Gift Non-Grantor Trust); and other INGs (Incomplete Gift Non-Grantor Trusts) in other jurisdictions that are trying to attract such trusts.
- Power of AttorneyUsing board structures, trusts, powers of attorney and other techniques to minimize the effects of a sudden inability to exercise control.
- Probate
- Foreclosure
- Tax LawWith the imposition of burdensome income, estate and gift taxes (at one time, up to 70%), creative lawyers and accountants learned how to use trusts to reduce the tax burden. Media tends to associate trusts with tax planning for the wealthy, but trusts continue to be important for the management and protection of property for middle-class individuals as well as the rich.