Wills and Trusts

Individuals are concerned with preserving their hard-earned assets and structuring their estates to transfer assets to their intended recipients while minimizing estate taxes and using the most efficient method of transfer. Addressing estate/gift tax and income tax issues, while balancing the needs of spouses, children, grandchildren or favorite charities, must be primary objectives in any estate plan.  We provide legal advice and address potential tax issues to enable our clients to accomplish their goals. By utilizing innovative and practical approaches to minimize estate tax exposure our clients’ achieve those wealth transfer objectives.
 

• Although the basic vehicle to transfer ones assets at death is a will, we advise our clients on all available tools that can be used in conjunction with an estate plan to transfer and protect their assets. 
• We structure and draft a range of trust instruments, including revocable trusts, irrevocable life insurance trusts and other asset protection trusts, charitable remainder and annuity trusts, Dynasty (generation skipping) Trusts and specialized Grantor Trusts to meet the specific needs of each client.

 
To die without a properly drafted estate plan is to risk turning over your assets to a probate court administered by an executor named by the state, not by you or your family.  State laws are fairly strict in how assets are parceled out to a surviving spouse, dependents, and in some cases distant relatives.  Those laws may not be consistent with your wishes or the needs of your survivors.