HEATHER J. LANGE is a principal of Brody Wilkinson and is a member of the firm’s Trusts & Estates and Probate Litigation Groups. Heather focuses on problem solving, whether that entails assisting high net worth individuals and family groups with their estate planning or advocating for clients in trust and fiduciary litigation. In addition, Heather has developed a niche practice in equine law where she bridges her legal capabilities and equestrian interests.
Heather is admitted to practice in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. She is a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. Heather is a member of the Connecticut and Fairfield County Bar Associations. She is a past chair of the Estates and Probate section of the Connecticut Bar Association.
Heather has been selected for inclusion in “The Best Lawyers in America©” in the fields of Trusts and Estates and Litigation – Trusts and Estates since 2023. She has also been recognized as a “Connecticut Super Lawyer” in the area of Estate Planning and Probate since 2022. She received her B.A. from the University of Michigan in 1988, J.D. from Rutgers University School of Law in 1997, and LL.M. in Taxation from New York University School of Law in 1999.
Heather serves on the Board of Directors of nOURish Bridgeport and the Bridgeport YMCA. Both organizations focus on food insecurity in the Bridgeport community. She previously served as a volunteer at Pegasus Therapeutic Riding, a non-profit organization that provides equine-assisted activities and therapies to children and adults with physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities.
Jul 3, 24
More and more, clients are integrating charitable giving into their estate plans. Private foundations and donor advised funds are effective vehicles for facilitating charitable wishes. However, each presents its own set of advantages and disadvantages that clients should consider. Pros of Private Foundations: Flexibility in Giving: Private foundations offer a […]
Apr 27, 22
Kate and Mary had been together since 2008 but never married. Eager to start their family, Kate was implanted with embryos created with Mary’s egg and the two happily welcomed their son Matthew. Unfortunately for Kate, even though this was her son whom she carried for nine months, she was […]
Mar 13, 18
Caring for an aging parent is hard work. Between medical appointments, financial issues, and taking away the car keys, there are many moving parts that need to be considered. In order to receive proper assistance at this delicate time, parents must appoint someone to act on their behalf through a Durable Power […]
Feb 22, 16
It is our recommendation that estate plans be reviewed every 3-5 years, but why? There are a host of compelling reasons why periodic review is important. When you created your plan, you discussed your family and financial situation with your Brody Wilkinson attorney. You selected someone to serve as your executor, […]
Feb 22, 16
PART OF COMPREHENSIVE ESTATE PLANNING includes planning for care during one’s advanced years. How one wants to live; where one wants to live; and how one will pay for care is critical information to be built into an estate plan. More than 60% of people over 65 years of age […]
Feb 20, 15
As you complete or review your estate planning, care should be taken in appointing a trustee. A trustee is a person appointed to manage your trust for the benefit of the trust beneficiaries. A trustee is charged with following the instructions set forth in the trust instrument, investing the trust […]
Jan 9, 14
On June 26, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court granted federal recognition and rights to legally married same-sex couples. The Court in Windsor v. United States overturned the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) declaring as unconstitutional its definition of marriage as only between a man and woman. The Windsor case centered on Edith Windsor’s claim […]
Nov 27, 12
You have been diligent in planning your estate. You have a Will and other documents necessary to provide for your family’s future and minimize taxes. Yet, not all of your assets are covered by your Will. Certain assets, so-called “non-probate” assets, are not distributed by a Will. Non-probate assets not only […]
Nov 1, 11
On December 17, 2010, Congress passed a new estate tax law which unifies the estate tax and gift tax exemptions, increases the federal transfer tax and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax (GST tax) exemptions to $5 million per person, caps the highest marginal tax rate at 35%, and adds a concept called […]
Nov 19, 10
We spent most of 2010 waiting for new estate tax legislation. With autumn in full swing, it seems less and less likely that Congress will be able to agree on a new game plan. For 2010 only, there is no federal estate tax. (The federal gift tax and the Connecticut […]