Estate Planning
If you wish to leave behind a meaningful legacy, be it for loved ones or a charitable institution, you need to put a well-thought-out estate plan in place. Without an established plan, the fate of your estate could be determined by the government, lawyers, or people that don’t have your interests and best wishes in mind.
Having an estate plan is paramount in ensuring your estate is handled according to your wishes. Together with your estate planning attorney, we can assist in drafting documents and reviewing your situation so your estate benefits the people and charities you care about most.
What We Can Do for You
- Choosing executors: The executors of your estate wield strong powers that determine how your estate is handled upon your passing. We’ll help you understand the importance of choosing an executor(s) for your estate, and what criteria you should consider when appointing someone to discharge this all-important role – especially if minor children/guardians are involved.
- Designating beneficiaries: If you don’t choose beneficiaries for your assets carefully, your estate assets might end up in the hands of individuals that you never intended should benefit from them. A well-thought-out estate plan ensures the needs of your dependents are taken care of.
- Minimizing estate taxes and probate fees: Taxes, fees, and other levies have the potential to erode a large part of your estate before your beneficiaries see a cent. Careful planning can reduce the impact taxes and fees may have.
- Estate protection: Even after you pass, many of your assets – such as long-term investments and property – will likely need protection and management until they are disposed of and their proceeds are distributed to your beneficiaries. In the absence of an estate plan, your assets will likely not receive the type and level of protection those assets require.
- Distribute your legacy: Our professionals can support you in synchronizing your estate plans and your will, so your assets are distributed in line with your final wishes.
- Successor Trustee Services/Corporate Trustee Services: Our Successor Trustee and Corporate Trustee Services provide expert management and administration of trusts. We ensure that your trust is managed according to your wishes, with a commitment to fiduciary responsibility and objective decision-making. From seamless transitions and comprehensive administration to tailored solutions, we offer reliable oversight to protect and grow trust assets while serving the best interests of beneficiaries.
- Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRTs): Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRTs) offer a strategic way to support charitable causes while enjoying immediate tax benefits and income. We help design and manage CRTs that provide a steady income stream for you or your beneficiaries, with the remainder going to your chosen charities. Our services include flexible trust structures, investment management, and compliance with all regulatory requirements, ensuring your charitable giving is both impactful and efficient.
- Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs): Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) simplify your charitable giving by allowing you to make a single, tax-deductible donation and then recommend grants to your preferred charities over time. Our DAF services provide a streamlined, flexible approach to philanthropy, with opportunities for investment growth and strategic planning to maximize your charitable impact. These offer the convenience of managing your giving from one account while benefiting from immediate tax advantages.
Schedule a meeting with us to see what an estate plan can do for you.
* Our firm does not provide legal advice or services. Please consult your legal advisor or an estate planning attorney regarding your specific situation.
