We provide advice and counsel based on our expertise, experience and insight in formulating individual estate plans and administering the estates of family members.
Our Trusts & Estates attorneys work with individuals who need strategic advice regarding the development and implementation of their estate plans.
Our clients want to maximize the value of their estate passing to family members by minimizing taxation and ensuring that their wishes concerning the distribution of assets are heeded. Some clients have complicated family dynamics, while others need to address both business and personal concerns or realize their philanthropic goals.
We work with our clients to minimize the taxation on the transfer of assets (estate, gift, and generation-skipping taxes), preserve family wealth and transfer closely held businesses to younger generations. We also incorporate insurance products into an estate plan, allocate, structure, and coordinate relationships between clients and investment managers of portfolios for trusts and family accounts, and guide the funding of college and post-graduate education for children and grandchildren using tax-efficient options. Our attorneys have an array of estate planning techniques that are specific to the needs of art collectors, artists, musicians and authors.
Following the death of a family member, we guide the survivors through the estate administration process from the probate proceeding to the final distribution. Our expertise in planning for the eventual estate administration and the preparation and filing of estate tax returns, combined with our years of experience in the Surrogate’s Court and with the IRS and state taxing authorities, makes this difficult period manageable for the family. In many cases, we counsel and supervise the administration of trust funds for the surviving spouse, children, and grandchildren. We also advise clients on the best way to use planned giving techniques, family foundations, and charitable trusts to accomplish their philanthropic goals.
