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Gerald Shea
Call us for help with probate issues and effective estate planning.
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Claimed Lawyer ProfileQ&A
Biography
I am an experienced attorney and work diligently to provide my clients and their families with peace of mind. I handle Estate Planning and Probate matters throughout Connecticut and New York, and Tax Law matters worldwide.
Practice Areas
- Probate
- Probate Administration, Probate Litigation, Will Contests
- Estate Planning
- Guardianship & Conservatorship Estate Administration, Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills
- Elder Law
Fees
- Free Consultation
- Credit Cards Accepted
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Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
Fixed Fees
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
- Connecticut
- State of Connecticut Judicial Branch
- ID Number: 303787
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- New York
- New York State Office of Court Administration
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- U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut
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- U.S. Tax Court
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Languages
- English
Professional Experience
- Principal
- Shea & Shea
- - Current
- Attorney Advisor
- U.S. Tax Court
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Education
- New York University School of Law
- LL.M. (1991) | Taxation
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- University of Connecticut School of Law
- J.D. (1985) | Law
- cum laude
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- Duke University
- B.A. (1981) | Economics/History
- magna cum laude; Tobacco Road Magazine
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- College of the Holy Cross
- Economics
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- Sailing Team
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Awards
- AV Preeminent Peer Rating
- Martindale
- 2011-2019
- 10.0 Superb Rating
- Avvo
Professional Associations
- Connecticut Bar Association
- Member
- Current
- Activities: Tax Law Section, Estates & Probate Section
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- New York State Bar  # 2435196
- Member
- - Current
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Publications
Articles & Publications
- APA's May Effectively Address Income and Expense
- Tax Notes International
Websites & Blogs
- Website
- Shea & Shea Website
Legal Answers
3 Questions Answered
- Q. Can the probate court have the authority to "claw" back funds improperly distributed prior to probate?
- A: It is difficult to get a probate court to exercise jurisdiction over accounts passing by way of beneficiary designation. Such assets are technically "non-probate" assets. A separate action can, however, be brought in Superior Court for undue influence or lack of capacity in transferring assets into the passbook accounts. This requires evidence of improper actions surrounding the actual the transfer. The money is gone and bank contract is implicated. Recovery is thus difficult, absent solid evidence of undue influence with respect to the accounts.
- Q. Probate
- A: Joint accounts and real estate held jointly in survivorship do not require CT probate.
However, an estate tax return is due 6 months from date of death, but that is a different issue (See Form 706NT (nontaxable estate) and Form 706 (taxable estate).
- Q. Hello I live in Ct & so did my dad when he was passed away,with no will. How do me my mom & sister claim ownership?
- A: Your mother, if she was married to your father, would typically file a petition to be appointed as "Administrator" of your father's estate. This is done at the probate court for the town where your father resided at the time of death. A death certificate is required, as well as the names and addresses of spouse and all children. You or your siblings can file the petition as well, but it often the wife who signs. After reviewing the petition, the court will notify all heirs of a hearing or opportunity to object to the appointment. If there is no objection, the petition is granted and then the newly appointed Administrator may access accounts and gather all the assets to distribute ... Read More
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