Trusts & Estates

 

Your legacy lives on through your family and the organizations you hold near and dear. Proper estate planning can protect your loved ones, reduce taxes and preserve your wealth before and after death.

 

With over 40 years of experience practicing Trusts & Estates law, our firm’s attorneys can help you address any questions or matters that are important to you.

​

What is a Trust?

​

• A Trust is a legal document that is similar to a Will.

• It differs from a Will because it can take effect immediately.

• A Trust can assist with Estate Planning and Privacy.

​

What is a Will?

​

• A Will is a legal document which determines what happens to your property when you die.

• The Will allocates your belongings to whomever you choose.

• Wills should be updated regularly based on life events, wealth accumulation and changes in law.

​

Is a Trust or Will best for you? Contact us to discuss.

​

​

​

​

​

​

Our Trusts & Estates Services

​

​

 

Estate Planning

 

• Reviewing the nature and extent of assets, family relationships, intentions and objectives, including any charitable bequests being considered.

• Reviewing estate tax consequences and planning to minimize or avoid estate tax.

• Drafting wills, health care proxies, living wills and trust agreements.

 

Estate Administration

 

• Filing appropriate forms in Surrogate’s Court to appoint the estate’s personal representative whether that be an executor or administrator.

• Working with the estate’s personal representative to ensure that all tax filings, both income tax and estate tax, are properly and timely filed.

• Assisting in the collection, transfer and distribution of estate assets.

 

Trust Administration

​

Advising and consulting with corporate and individual trustees concerning their fiduciary duties including the preparation of trust accountings; and consulting with beneficiaries concerning trust administration matters.

 

Estate Litigation

Assisting clients in all phases of probate and trusts litigation including probate or contesting a will, interpreting or reforming the terms of a will or trust, representing a fiduciary in filing and defending an accounting proceeding or filing objections to a fiduciary’s accounting on behalf of a beneficiary.

 

If you have any questions or seek legal advice or assistance in the areas of Trust and/or Estates please contact us using the form below or call Martin Klein, Esq. at 212-400-4930.