TrustsOur business and corporate clients request us to provide a whole range of services relating to ordinary trusts, family trusts and specialty trusts. Therefore, a competent level of knowledge of trusts is an essential part of working with our business and corporate clients. And, we regularly handle the issues relating to trusts.
Very occasionally, however, our clients may require the highest level of expertise and sophistication beyond our ability to deliver, particularly where very complicated tax issues are involved. In such a rare event, we seek out the assistance of attorneys or other appropriate professionals who will assist us in completing the assignment. We do this in part because it is not easy for most clients to know and discern which law firms or lawyers have such a level of knowledge and sophistication in this area of the law. Nonetheless, we are not shy to assert that we are able to satisfy the trust needs of most of our clients. And, we have done so for over 30 years! |
EstatesFrom drafting a simple will and living will to providing complex estate planning, we have the requisite knowledge and experience.
The issues of estates and estate planning are so inextricably woven into the needs of our small and medium size business and corporate clients that we regularly provide a whole range of such services. Our clients count on us to meet their estate and estate planning needs! 
"Estate planning is the process of anticipating and arranging for the disposal of an estate during a person's life. Estate planning typically attempts to eliminate uncertainties over the administration of a probate and maximize the value of the estate by reducing taxes and other expenses. However, the ultimate goal of estate plan is determined by the specific goals of the client and may be as simple or complex as the client's needs dictate. Guardians are often designated for minor children and beneficiaries in incapacity."
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AdministrationTrusts and estates are, for the most part, treated as separate legal entities and must be administered in accordance with the laws and regulations governing them.
Administration of trusts and estates require the knowledge of the laws and regulations and the courts of the state and local jurisdictions. Because we represent business and corporate clients from numerous jurisdictions, we do call upon the assistance of local counsel in handling them. Businesses and corporations act through the boards of directors and executive teams. Trusts act through the designated trustees, either individuals or institutions. Estates act either through a court appointed administrator or an executor (or executrix). Administration of trust and estates may be either short or long term, depending upon the requirements of the instruments that created them and the circumstances of administration. |
Business succession planning
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Business succession planning is a special breed of planning which can be done with or without personal estate planning. Successful entrepreneurs have worked very hard in building significant value in their businesses.
Often, business owners simply sell their successful businesses and retire. |
However, selling and cashing out may not be the best way to achieve the goals of the business owners.
Other times, due to sudden unexpected deaths of owners, their businesses scramble for leadership and are left in shambles, resulting in loss of tremendous value of the estate. |
Transfers of ownership of successful businesses to children or employees must be handled in an orderly manner. There are many significant legal and financial issues to consider. Dealing with tax and financial issues and maintaining stability of management all require careful planning and sufficient time to implement any such plan.
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