Trusts and Estates
Estate planning and trust and estate administration are integral parts of our tax practice. Attorneys in our tax group are experienced in developing estate plans designed to meet the client's personal, financial and tax goals, and in advising clients in all facets of trust and estate administration. Areas of counsel include:
- Administration of estates
- Will drafting and execution
- Trust drafting and administration
- Tax planning relating to estates and trusts
- Will probate and contests
- Powers of attorney, including health care directives
- Guardianships and conservatorships
- Establishing gifting programs, including gifts to minors
- Insurance planning, including irrevocable life insurance trusts
- Estate tax planning
- Planning for retirement benefits
- Income taxation of trusts and estates
- Business succession planning
- Planning regarding formation of family limited partnerships and limited liability companies
- Charitable gift planning, including charitable trusts and private foundations
Attorneys in the trust and estates practice work closely with the trust departments of many area banks and other financial institutions. These relationships enable them to better meet the clients' needs when a bank or other financial institution is chosen to serve as trustee, guardian or personal representative.