Trusts and Estates Practice Group

Our Trusts and Estates practice offers a wide array of services to individual clients, charitable organizations and financial institutions. Our expertise allows us to provide services which include the implementation of complex estate plans, as well as the preparation of simple wills cost-effectively. Our primary goal is to help clients assemble the building blocks of a sound estate plan which will last a lifetime. By working closely with our clients and their families, we are best able to ensure that their personal objectives are carried out within an efficient tax structure. Our clients often come to view us as their personal advisors, as well as their attorneys. Institutional clients, such as trust departments of major banks have come to rely on the professional expertise and personal approach we offer to their most valued clients.

Estate Planning

After review of the client's personal, financial and business profile, we offer advice on tax and estate and gift planning, and can draw on the expertise of other departments of the firm, as needed. We offer advice on all aspects of inter-generational wealth transfers and business succession planning. We prefer a team approach to estate planning, involving the client and the client's advisers, including accountants, financial planners/bankers, appraisers, insurance professionals and others, to ensure that the client's objectives are effectively carried out.

We prepare wills, powers of attorney, health care proxies and directives. In addition, we prepare and assist with the ongoing administration of trusts, including insurance trusts, grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATs), qualified personal residence trusts (QPRTs), charitable trusts, by-pass (credit shelter) trusts, generation-skipping and other family trusts. When advisable, we create Family Limited Partnerships and LLCs, as well as living trusts.

Estate Administration

We offer broad expertise in probate proceedings, both contested and uncontested, and represent individual and corporate executors and trustees, as well as estate beneficiaries, in all matters relating to the administration of estates and trusts. Our administration services include the preparation and filing of estate tax returns and fiduciary income tax returns. Along with our litigation department, we offer representation in contested or litigated proceedings.

Family Matters

We are experienced in proceedings for the appointment of conservators and guardians, and we call on the expertise of the litigation group in this connection in instances when it is required. We offer advice on pre-marital planning and negotiate and prepare pre-nuptial and other agreements.

Charitable Planning

We offer a broad range of services to individuals and charitable institutions in the area of charitable giving. Our services may include the simple review of a gift annuity or the creation and administration of a charitable foundation or other sophisticated planning techniques to maximize tax benefits while carrying out the client's charitable goals.