Private Client Practice

ESTATE PLANNING FOCUSING ON THE TRANSFER OF WEALTH

We work with our clients to establish an overall estate plan which will result in the orderly transfer of assets from one generation to the next with the minimum exposure to estate tax, gift tax and generation-skipping tax. To this end we prepare not only wills, but other estate planning tools such as revocable living trusts, qualified personal residence trusts, grantor retained annuity trusts, intentionally defective grantor trusts, charitable trusts and family limited partnerships. To assure the smooth implementation of our client's estate plan, we work closely with our clients' advisors, i.e. accountants, insurance planners and investment advisors. We also focus on our client's personal issues so that costly future family conflicts can be anticipated and avoided.

IMPACT OF MATRIMONY ON THE TRANSFER OF WEALTH

We prepare pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements to avoid possible financial conflicts between husband and wife. We also represent parties in matrimonial cases.

TRUST AND ESTATE ADMINISTRATION

We work with executors and trustees to assist them in fulfilling their fiduciary obligations, such as maintaining the books and records of the trust or estate, filing estate tax returns and preparing accountings. During the course of administration, we focus on maximizing the transfer of wealth to subsequent generations. We also represent beneficiaries during the trust or estate administration to assure that their bequest is not being reduced by inefficient administration.

ESTATE LITIGATION

We represent fiduciaries, beneficiaries, and objectants in proceedings involving contested probate, the exercise of a spousal right of election, the construction of a will or a contested accounting.

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

We assist our estate and trust fiduciaries, as well as individuals, to sell, purchase, finance and lease houses, condominium units and cooperatives apartments.