Estate Planning and Probate
Our attorneys have extensive experience assisting clients in their estate planning and probate needs. Whether drafting wills and durable powers of attorney, establishing and administering trusts, or creating lifetime giving strategies, our attorneys strive to ensure the distribution of our clients’ assets according to their wishes.
With respect to probate matters, we’re here to counsel personal representatives, family and friends of the deceased through what can be a difficult and emotional process. If you’ve got questions, let us be your guide.
Charitable Planning
Our attorneys assist clients in preparing the documents necessary to carry out their charitable goals—whether it be to assist a charity during the clients’ lifetime or upon the death of a client.
Conservatorships
Our attorneys assist clients in filing for the appointment of a conservator for disabled adults who are not able to make their own financial and/or healthcare decisions.
Entertainment Estates
Our attorneys have the capability and experience to assist entertainment industry clients with their estate planning and probate needs involving unique assets such as intellectual property and royalty income. We also assist clients in recapturing copyrights pursuant to U.S. copyright law.
Guardianships
Our attorneys assist clients in filing for the appointment of a guardian for minor children who need assistance with financial matters and/or healthcare issues.
Powers of Attorney
Our attorneys have experience preparing various types of powers of attorneys for our clients, including financial powers of attorney and healthcare powers of attorney.
Prenuptial Agreements
Our attorneys assist clients in preparing and negotiating prenuptial agreements.
Probate Administration
Our attorneys have extensive experience in assisting clients in administering a decedent’s testate or intestate estate from the opening through the closing of the estate.
Trust Administration
Our attorneys assist trustees in administering trust estates, including making sure that the trust is being administered in accordance with applicable state and/or federal laws. Our attorneys also assist clients with removing and replacing trustees of trusts and with trust modification matters.
Wills and Trusts
Our attorneys assist clients in preparing wills and trusts that meet the clients’ estate planning goals and needs. Our attorneys have extensive experience in preparing a variety of trusts, including: (i) revocable living trusts; (ii) irrevocable trusts (including irrevocable life insurance trusts); (iii) special needs trust; (iv) asset protection trusts; and (v) charitable trusts.
Probate Litigation
Our attorneys represent clients in litigation matters and other disputes concerning probate, wills, and trusts. Below are some examples of the cases that we have handled in this area:
- Will contests
- Actions to set aside lifetime transfers based on undue influence
- Actions to construe, interpret, and modify wills and trusts
- Actions by trustees for court instructions and directions
- Legal malpractice actions involving preparation of wills
- Actions involving Rule Against Perpetuities issues