If you or a loved one have been incarcerated in Connecticut, you may face an unexpected barrier to passing on an inheritance to your family. Under Connecticut law, the state has the right to recover incarceration costs from former inmates by claiming a portion of any inheritance they receive. This recovery is calculated based on a daily rate of $249, potentially amounting to a substantial claim depending on the length of incarceration. However, there is a solution to help you safeguard your assets for future generations: obtaining a criminal pardon.
At Carlson & Dumeer, LLC, our Hartford attorneys understand the importance of protecting your rights, your financial future, and your family's legacy. With a criminal pardon, individuals can fully avoid the state’s claim on their inheritance, ensuring that more of their assets stay in their family’s hands rather than being directed toward covering incarceration costs. Here’s what you need to know about protecting your inheritance with a criminal pardon and how it can impact your estate planning.
How Incarceration Can Impact Your Inheritance
Connecticut’s “cost of incarceration” law allows the state to claim a portion of any inheritance received by a former inmate, up to the amount required to cover the costs of their imprisonment. This can lead to significant financial setbacks for individuals who, after serving time, are trying to rebuild their lives and secure their family’s future. The state can claim up to $249 per day of incarceration, which quickly adds up, especially for individuals who served lengthy sentences.
Exemptions: Keeping More of What’s Yours
In recent years, changes to Connecticut’s inheritance laws have brought some relief to former inmates. Now, the first $50,000 of an inheritance is exempt from recovery, allowing you to retain this amount regardless of any incarceration-related debts owed to the state. This change reflects a more balanced approach, recognizing the challenges ex-offenders face as they work to reintegrate into society.
While this exemption provides some relief, it may still leave significant portions of your inheritance at risk. The most effective way to protect your entire inheritance from state claims is through a full criminal pardon, which not only restores certain rights but also exempts you from any state recovery of incarceration costs.
How a Criminal Pardon Can Safeguard Your Legacy
For individuals and families focused on long-term planning, obtaining a criminal pardon is essential. A full pardon essentially erases your criminal record, meaning the state loses any claim to recover incarceration costs from your inheritance. This allows you to pass down your full legacy to your loved ones without fear of state intervention. With a pardon in place, you can be confident that your assets will go directly to your heirs, preserving the financial stability of your family for generations to come.
Why Seek Legal Guidance?
Navigating Connecticut’s criminal pardon process can be complex, and it requires knowledge of specific requirements and application processes. At Carlson & Dumeer, LLC, our attorneys, Scott Carlson and Brian Dumeer, are committed to helping clients in Hartford and Middletown safeguard their futures. With membership in respected legal associations such as The American Association for Justice, the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association, and the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, we are equipped to guide you through each step of the pardon process, ensuring you receive the best chance for a positive outcome.
Take Control of Your Financial Future
Protecting your inheritance isn’t just about money—it’s about ensuring your family’s well-being and securing a lasting legacy. A criminal pardon can provide you and your heirs with peace of mind, knowing that your hard-earned assets will remain protected. If you or a loved one has a past conviction and are concerned about the state’s claim on your future inheritance, don’t leave it to chance. Contact Carlson & Dumeer, LLC, to discuss your options and start planning a secure financial future today.