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Estate and Wealth Preservation Planning

We utilize wealth transfer strategies in the areas of estate planning and family businesses.  Some of these techniques include family trusts, charitable remainder trusts, insurance funded wealth replacement trusts, qualified residence trusts, family limited liability companies, partnerships, and establishing charitable organizations.

Estate and Trust Administration
Our estate planning and tax attorneys assist clients with creating estate plans and documentation, as well as with the administration of estates, including the probate process and trust administration.  An individual who administers an estate is responsible for making tax decisions, paying debts and expenses of the estate, preparing tax returns, investing assets, and distributing the assets pursuant to the terms of the Will, trust or, in the absence of both, state law.  We take a proactive approach in helping our clients make practical, economical and legal decisions regarding these issues.

The distribution of assets pursuant to a Will is generally accomplished through probate.  The probate process is necessary to transfer title of assets from a deceased individual to the beneficiary listed in a Will or, if there is not a Will, pursuant to state law. 

A common estate planning tool is a trust.  Assets held in a trust are distributed pursuant to the terms of the trust rather than the terms of a Will.  Proper administration of an estate, whether a trust or a Will, can minimize the disputes between beneficiaries and minimizes the risks to the individual named as an administrator.

Unfortunately, not all administrations are free of disputes.  We frequently represent individuals in disputes regarding the administration of a Will or trust.  Where possible, we to try to seek resolution without litigation.

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