Firm provides a wide range of estate planning, estate administration and estate litigation services.
Planning
Our planning services range from simple wills and trusts to the design and implementation of complex estate plans. Our focus in designing an appropriate estate plan is to help preserve and protect family wealth and minimize applicable gift, estate and generating-skipping transfer tax costs. We have implemented sophisticated plans for high net worth individuals that have included the creation of grantor-retained annuity trusts, dynasty trusts, charitable trusts, and not-for-profit family foundations. We approach estate planning matters in a multi-disciplinary manner, particularly for clients having business interests or real estate holdings. We have extensive experience in succession planning for family-owned businesses, and have designed many plans for business owners that have resulted in a seamless transition of control from one generation to the next.
Administration
We represent executors and administrators in all phases of estate administration. We also represent trustees of lifetime and testamentary trusts. Our clients include individuals, banks and trust companies and not-for-profit organizations. As part of our administration practice, we handle audits of estate and gift tax returns, and have been successful in resolving tax disputes for our clients.
Litigation
While we attempt to minimize family disputes, and are often successful in settling multi-million dollar disagreements, litigation is sometimes inevitable. We have expertise in all areas of practice before the Surrogate’s Court, including will contests, contested accountings, kinship proceedings, guardianship proceedings and other proceedings involving the probate of wills and the administration of estates and trusts.
