Trusts and Estates

Multidimensional Trusts and Estates Services

Our highly regarded trusts and estates practice includes drafting wills, trusts and other dispositive instruments; advice on asset protection, succession and tax planning and preservation strategies (including use of grantor trusts, irrevocable trusts, charitable trusts, private foundations, family limited partnerships and limited liability companies). In addition, we offer fiduciary, tax and accounting services for large and complex trusts and estates.

International and U.S. Clients

Our team works with our U.S. and international clients to achieve their wealth preservation and succession planning objectives, taking into account U.S., state and international income and transfer tax considerations. This includes counseling our non-U.S. clients on structuring gifts and their investments in U.S. assets. We also provide advice to U.S. beneficiaries of foreign estates, trusts and gifts, and to U.S. persons moving abroad or expatriating.

Multigenerational Planning

We are known for advising multiple generations of family clients and supporting them through changes in their family circumstances, from the initial task of formulating and implementing an estate plan through the estate and trust administration for deceased family members. We have the ability to manage and implement intricate estate plans, involving complex estate and generation-skipping transfer tax and post-death considerations.

We are also adept at working with our clients to formulate succession plans for their assets, including closely held business interests, in a thoughtful tax-efficient manner, contemplating the transition of wealth from generation to generation. This includes the preparation of family charters, formation and maintenance of family offices and, in certain situations, formation and maintenance of private trust companies.

Dispute Resolution for Trusts and Estates

We have extensive experience representing beneficiaries and fiduciaries in connection with dispute resolution both in and out of court as it relates to contested estate and trust matters in U.S. and non-U.S. jurisdictions.

Tax Audit Representation

Curtis’ Trusts and Estates attorneys assist our clients in connection with examinations of estate and gift tax returns by the IRS and state governments. We also have extensive experience guiding our clients through the appeals process and beyond, should that be necessary.