Private Client Practice

Our private client practice addresses the legal and financial interests of individuals, family businesses, and non profit organizations, including owners of closely-held businesses. We recognize that our clients' needs are quite distinct and complex. As such, we take the time to learn about our clients and their businesses to advise them with regard to tax-savings and business succession measures. Our lawyers are trusted advisors to individuals and families in need of a plan for transferring their assets to the next generation, family business succession planning, philanthropic planning, and management of personal financial interests.

Practical Guidance

Our lawyers often advise executors and beneficiaries of estate on a wide array of tax and property issues related to estate administration. In addition, we represent executors and beneficiaries in family settlement agreements and will contests. Our firm takes a proactive and comprehensive view of each client’s situation to identify all of the issues and develop creative solutions that are flexible and advantageous to meet changing tax laws and related circumstances.

     Business Wealth Preservation:

  • The continuity and succession of a closely held business
  • Shareholders' and buy-sell agreements
  • Family limited partnerships
  • Documentation for intra-family sales
  • Shareholder disputes
  • Business formation
  • Real Estate transactions

     Personal Wealth Preservation:

  • Sophisticated estate plans and documents
  • Trusts and Wills
  • Financial Powers of Attorney
  • Health Care Directives and Living Wills
  • Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts, Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts, Qualified Personal Residence Trusts, Generation-Skipping Trusts and Charitable Trusts
  • IRAs and qualified and non-qualified retirement accounts including, designation of beneficiaries
  • Charitable foundations
  • Guardianships and Special Needs Trusts
  • Disposition of court awards and litigation settlements

     Trust and Estate Administration:

  • Settlement of decedent's estates and administration of Trusts
  • Preparation of accounts and federal and state death and fiduciary income tax returns
  • Representation of banks, trust companies and individuals serving as trustees and executors

Discrete Advice

In addition to estate planning and administration, we also represent clients in pre and post marital property agreements, family dispute resolution and settlement agreements, and the formation of charitable foundations and charitable trusts, among other matters. At times, our lawyers also address issues related to various issues involving family members, and all such inquires are handled timely and with discretion.