Farmington Continuing Education

Connecticut is one of the top 3 states with the highest nursing home and long-term care costs, making it essential to protect what you've worked hard for—ideally while staying in your own home. In this program, we will help you understand how to safeguard your assets and position yourself to age in place. You will learn about Medicaid and other state public benefits, as well as strategies for married and single individuals to protect their assets. All participants will receive an informational booklet on long-term care planning, crafted by our estate planning and elder law firm.

This three-session course is designed for retirees or those planning to retire within the next 5 to 10 years. You will learn strategies to generate steady income, protect assets, reduce taxes, and secure a comfortable retirement for you and your spouse. The seminar covers making the best use of your employer’s retirement plan, evaluating lump-sum distribution options, and reducing estate taxes through proper planning. You will also learn about annuities, Social Security, Medicare, and asset allocation to align your investments with your objectives and risk tolerance. A spousal guest can attend at no cost with registration. Please note, there is no guarantee that the strategies discussed will result in investment success, as investments are subject to market risks, including potential loss of principal. Results depend on various factors. Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC.

Do you have a strong and up-to-date estate plan? If the answer is ‘no’, this task should be at the top of your to-do list. An estate plan is your legally documented roadmap for loved ones to know your wishes, and how to care for you if you are unable to manage your financial, health, and/or legal affairs yourself. This session will focus on important estate planning documents like Wills, powers of attorney, advance directives, trusts, and beneficiary designations, and the purpose and powers included in each. Also, learn about what happens if you don’t have a Will, considerations for choosing your power of attorney and health care agents, and some common estate planning mistakes that you will want to avoid. All students will receive an easy-to-understand estate planning guidebook written by our attorneys.

Are you or a loved one about to turn 65 soon and getting ready to sign up for Medicare? Are you already on Medicare and would like to learn more about your Medicare options? Wondering how to find your way through the maze of Medicare terms? This course will help you learn more about Medicare and your health plan options. During this course, learn the differences between Medicare and other health coverage, what is Original Medicare and are there other options, is Original Medicare enough health coverage, what are Medicare Parts A, B, C & D, are prescriptions covered, how much will it cost and are there deadlines to enroll? Become educated on Medicare Advantage Plans, Part D prescription drug plans, and Medicare Supplement plans. The advantages and disadvantages will be discussed in an easy-to-understand manner. This course is designed to be informational with ample opportunity for individual questions.

Social Security rules change frequently, so what you thought you knew may no longer apply. When is the best time to start collecting Social Security? How do you apply, and how do your spouse's benefits affect yours? This course covers the basics of Social Security andhow to coordinate it with other retirement income sources. Learn strategies for maximizing your benefits and minimizing taxes on your Social Security. Bring your questions as we explore your options in making this important financial decision. Instruction will be held via "Start Meeting." After registration, participants will receive a confirmation email with the link and instructions.

Taxes are a widely debated topic, especially with rising deficits at the state and federal levels, which concern taxpayers, particularly those nearing retirement. In this educational workshop, you will learn how effective planning and timing can impact your retirement. We will cover current tax laws, potential changes, inflation effects, and strategies to minimize your tax liability. Case studies will also be shared to illustrate how to successfully navigate this complex topic and help you get as close as possible to "tax-free in retirement."

What is a trust, and how can it benefit you? In this program, we will explain how the different trusts work and clarify when using a trust may, or may not, be appropriate. We will also discuss the benefits of trusts including how they can be used to minimize or avoid taxes, safeguard assets from potential ex-spouses and creditors, preserve public benefits for loved ones, support beneficiaries with a disability or special needs, and if you can actually avoid probate. Whether you're new to trusts or have some understanding of them, our goal is to ensure you leave with a comprehensive understanding of how these valuable planning tools can work to your advantage. Following the class, every participant will receive an informational booklet about trusts crafted by our estate planning and elder law firm.