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“I want clients to have confidence in their planning and know their wishes will be effectuated in a tax efficient manner.”

Alfred R. Casella is a partner in the Trusts & Estates practice at Murtha Cullina.

Alfred’s practice includes sophisticated estate planning, estate administration and probate litigation. His practice also includes serving as a fiduciary, whether as executor, trustee or conservator, as well as serving as counsel for conservatorships. He advises private foundations on governance and compliance.

Alfred helps his clients achieve their unique estate planning goals. He works with individuals, families and business owners to plan for their family members, assets, charitable goals and business succession. 

  • Chapter author, "Postmortem Planning,"  A Practical Guide to Probate in Connecticut, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (1st. Edition 2013, updated 2023)

  • Contributor, LawForChangeTM Forms of Organization - Connecticut (2009)

  • Co-author, "Simple End of Year Tax Planning Strategies," Connecticut Bar Association Estates & Probate Section, Notes & Commentary, Special Electronic Issue No. 64 (December 2008)

  • Speaker, "Networking Including Clients to Avoid," Connecticut Bar Association, Federal Tax Institute of New England (November 2024)

  • Panelist, "Nailing the Exit: What Happens for the Client After the Deal is Done," Exit Planning Exchange (XPX Hartford) (May 2024)

  • Co-presenter, "Effectively Representing Clients and Families with Complex Trust, Estate, and Prenuptial Agreements," Connecticut Bar Association, Estates & Probate and Family Law Joint Meeting (March 2024)

  • Co-author and co-presenter, "Implications of Tax Reform for Businesses, Gifting and Estates," Estate & Business Planning Council of Hartford (December 2021) 

  • "Planning in a Time of Uncertainty," Estate & Tax Planning Council of Eastern Connecticut (October 2021)

  • When a Borrower Dies," Farm Credit East (February 2019)

  • "Pitfalls of Probate," Edward Jones - East Longmeadow, MA (October 2015)

  • Co-author and co-presenter, "Legacy Planning," Fiduciary Investment Advisors - Newport, RI (June 2015)

  • “Income Tax Considerations for Estate Planners,” Connecticut Bar Association Estates & Probate Section Executive Committee (May 2014)

  • Author and presenter, "Dealing with a Decedent's Tax Fraud When Handling an Estate," Connecticut Bar Association (March 2013)

  • Author and presenter, "Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts," Connecticut Bar Association (March 2012)

  • Author and presenter, "Estate Planning Gone Awry:  What Happens When Things Don't Work Out the Way We Planned?" American Bar Association Tax Section Meeting (February 2012)

  • "So You Want to Run a Farm Stand - Entity Choices," Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (February 2012)

  • Author and panelist, "State Income Tax of Trusts Holding Business Interests," American Bar Association Tax Section Fall Meeting (October 2011)

  • Author and presenter, "Business Succession Planning," Federal Tax Institute of New England (September 2011)

  • Author and presenter, "The New Federal Estate and Gift Tax Portability Law and Related Connecticut Tax Matters," Connecticut Bar Association Annual Meeting (June 2011)

  • Author and presenter, "A Guide to Probate Accountings," Connecticut Bar Association (May 2011)

  • Author and speaker, "Tilling the Soil of Opportunity, Entity Choices," Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation, Inc. (February 2011)

  • Author and speaker, "Tilling the Soil of Opportunity, Entity Choices," Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (January 2011)

  • Author and panelist, "Giving Away the Store:  A Primer on Business Succession Planning and Post-Mortem Financing of Tax Liabilities of Estates Holding Closely Held Business Interests," American Bar Association Tax Section Midyear Meeting (January 2011)

  • Author and presenter, "The Probate Process From Start to Finish," NBI (December 2010)

  • Co-presenter, "Challenging Estate Assets:  Firearms," Connecticut Probate Assembly Judge and Clerk Seminar (January 2010)

  • Panelist, Planned Giving Group of Connecticut (September 2009)

  • Panelist, Connecticut Probate Assembly Judge and Clerk Seminar on Conservatorships (November 2008)

  • Author and presenter, "The Probate Process from Start to Finish," NBI (December 2009) 

  • Author and presenter, "Estate Administration Procedures:  Why Each Step is Important," NBI (June 2008, June 2007, June 2006)

  • Author and presenter, "How to Protect Assets During Life & Avoid Estate Tax at Death in Connecticut," NBI (2005)

  • Author and presenter, "Effective Planning for New Couples," NBI (2004)

  • Author and presenter, "How to Protect Assets During Life and Avoid Estate Tax at Death in Connecticut," NBI (2003)

  • The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), Fellow

    • Charitable Planning and Exempt Organizations Committee

    • Legal Education Committee

    • Fiduciary Income Tax Committee

  • Connecticut Bar Association

    • Estate & Probate Section

      • Executive Committee (2005-present) 

      • Steering Committee

      • Treasurer (2023-2024)

      • Legislative Committee (2023-2024)

      • CLE Committee (2022-2023)

    • Tax Section

      • Executive Committee (2011-2013)

  • Hartford Estate and Business Planning Council (2005-present) 

    • CLE Committee (2019-2020)

  • Central Connecticut Estate and Business Planning Council, Executive Committee (2009-2017)

  • Connecticut Governor's Tax Panel (2015)

  • Greater Hartford Probate Forum, Chair (2008-2014)

  • Hartford Symphony Orchestra, Board of Directors (2011-2019)

  • Connecticut Judiciary Public Service and Trust Commission, Pro Bono Committee (2011-2016)

  • Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, Professional Advisory Committee (2012-2014)

  • Judicial Intern for the Honorable Robert Chatigny, U.S. District Court

Areas of Focus

Services

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Credentials

Education

  • New York University (LL.M. in Taxation)
  • University of Connecticut School of Law (J.D.)
  • Trinity College (B.A. in Political Science)
  • Suffield Academy

Bar & Court Admissions

  • Connecticut
  • Commonwealth of Massachusetts
  • U.S. Tax Court