Connecticut Lawyers’ Blog
The ramblings of two Hartford County Lawyers, Thomas Babson Kane and Sarah Wilson Lemay.

New Year, New You!
As we enter a new year, we often make promises to ourselves: to be happier, healthier, and to make the world a better place. We join a climbing gym and sign up for hot yoga, stock our refrigerators with organic kale, and start volunteering at the animal shelter. Three...
The Official Kane, Hartley & Kane Playlist
Most of our blog entries are informational, and some deal with heavy topics. Today, though, we're lightening the mood with some of our favorite law-themed tunes. (Our blog should never be considered legal advice, and this post is definitely no exception.) You can...
When DCF Comes Knocking – Part 2
By Attorney Sarah W. Lemay Do you HAVE to talk to DCF? In my last post, I talked generally about your rights as a parent if DCF comes to your door. In this week’s post I want to talk more specifically about your right NOT to talk to DCF in such a situation. As I...
When DCF Comes Knocking…Know Your Rights as a Parent
I think it’s safe to say that we can all agree that when DCF (The Department of Children and Families) comes to your door, it’s intimidating. Whether you know they’re coming, it’s an unannounced visit, or you genuinely have no clue as to why they are there, DCF...
Introducing Attorney Lemay
I have never written a blog, so I struggled with how to open this one. “Hi” seemed a little informal, “Dear Readers” seemed a little like the introduction to an advice column, and “Welcome” just felt strange. So, I finally settled on jumping right in and seeing how...
Wills and Trusts
Wills and Trusts: Estate Planning with Wills and Trusts You’ve probably heard of wills and trusts, but not everyone knows the differences between the two. Both are useful estate planning documents that serve very different roles. They can work together to...
Real Estate Contracts
Real Estate Contract Termination I Don’t Want the House, Just My Money back… (… or how to handle the termination of the contract and get your deposit back from a Seller) So you found the home of your dreams. It has everything you wanted and more. But for some reason...
Guardian for your Child
Appointing a Guardian for your Minor Child If you have a child, you should do some basic (at least) estate planning. In addition to distributing your assets, a Will can also designate a guardian for any child under the age of 18. If you pass away, and the other...
Real Estate in Probate Court
When Property Meets Probate It is not an infrequent occurrence that someone interested in selling or buying a parcel of real estate becomes involved with a decedent’s estate. If the parties to the transaction do their jobs without unnecessary delay, buying or selling...
Wills and Beneficiaries
Designating Beneficiaries and your Will: Don't leave it all to just one of your kids When people think about their estate plan, they mainly focus on what goes in their will. Frequently, in planning meetings, we spend a great deal of time focusing on who the...