Trusts, Estates & Private Clients

There is more to estate and personal tax planning than simply drafting a will. Careful planning strategies can minimize exposure to income, estate, gift, and generation-skipping taxes. Our attorneys have years of experience in working one-on-one with clients to develop an estate plan that fits the unique needs of each client. Our team uses its knowledge of the laws governing asset transfer to create a plan that achieves the client’s goals for the disposition of his or her property—and does so in the most tax-efficient manner. This careful planning may involve implementation of a program of tax-effective giving to family members, the establishment of a plan of succession for a family business, or use of charitable giving techniques, such as charitable trusts or private foundations. Through its understanding of estate, retirement, and business planning, we assist clients planning for estates of all sizes and levels of complexity.

We apply years of experience in the area of charitable giving to craft inventive strategies for the transfer of assets to charities. Through the use of charitable trusts and private foundations, we work together to accomplish the client’s goals in a tax-efficient manner.

Our attorneys work as a team to ensure that estate plans are implemented as the client intended. We have considerable experience administering estates and trusts, from the relatively simple to the most complex, and offer a full range of support services to executors, administrators, and trustees. We work to facilitate the administration of trusts and estates and to distribute assets as promptly as possible.

Our team offers extensive experience representing individuals and institutions, both as beneficiaries and fiduciaries, in all aspects of dispute resolution regarding trusts, estates, or related family entities. We advise on contested matters regarding guardianships, powers of attorney, lifetime trusts, and pre-death agreements. Other matters, such as claims regarding the validity of wills, trusts, or other estate planning instruments that typically arise shortly after death. We frequently handle other issues, such as disputes involving estate or trust accountings, interpretation of wills or trusts, the performance of fiduciary duties, or the management of trust or charitable assets.

We help clients navigate these and myriad other complex matters, which have included litigation over estates valued in excess of $1 billion. Both before and after disputes arise, we counsel fiduciaries and beneficiaries on all aspects of dispute resolution or avoidance, including prudent tax, trust, or estate administration and beneficiary relationship issues. We will help you identify the most effective approach to achieve the best result, whether through litigation, negotiation, or alternative dispute mechanisms. Sometimes creative approaches are required to balance difficult family dynamics, complex tax issues, and challenging estate planning. Whatever the approach, we welcome the opportunity to help find the right solution for you.