Estates

We assist clients with structuring their assets to provide for the most efficient transfer of those assets to family members during life or upon death, while taking into consideration the financial needs and tax circumstances of clients and their families.  Other considerations may include life insurance needs, charitable goals, and asset protection.  Planning considerations also include elder law needs such as Medicaid, Special Assistance and Veterans benefits; special needs planning and trusts; long term care planning; and establishing, administering, and/or terminating legal guardianships.  We can help our clients accomplish their goals and needs with thoughtful financial and tax analysis and through the use of a variety of legal instruments, including wills, testamentary trusts, revocable and irrevocable trusts, and general powers of attorney.  We also routinely advise clients regarding health care needs in the event of incapacity, which often involves the preparation of health care powers of attorney and living wills.

Our estate administration services include making all necessary probate filings with the appropriate courts, assisting with the collection, documentation, valuation and custody of estate assets, as well as the management, investment, and distribution of estate assets.  We also can provide post-mortem tax planning and prepare federal and state fiduciary income, gift, estate, and generation-skipping transfer tax returns.    Our trust administration services include making any necessary court filings, assisting with the custody, management, investment and distribution of trust assets, and preparing federal and state fiduciary income tax returns.