Trust and Estates

At the core of estate and trust planning is preservation of assets, deference to the trustee or estate owner and sensitivity to relevant personal issues.  Carney, Kelehan, Bresler, Bennett and Scherr’s experienced estate and trust attorneys offer assistance in all aspects of estate planning and asset protection and help clients navigate through the many complex issues surrounding estates and trusts and their tax implications.  We understand that every client has his or her own unique values and goals. Through personalized, individual service we protect the needs of our clients while addressing the implications of wealth transfer, especially tax liability.

From basic to complex estate planning, we begin with an evaluation of the client’s goals and their family and economic situation. We are sensitive to the needs of clients with young or disabled children, blended families and other significant circumstances. We help clients create the estate planning documents unique to each of their situations. We also review current estate planning documents and advise if they meet each client’s current needs and goals.  An estate plan is nothing to be treated lightly. A well-executed estate plan carefully provides for one’s family and loved ones. Our attorneys are experienced in preparing:

  • Wills to settle affairs after death
  • Family limited liability companies and partnerships to hold family property and businesses
  • Succession plans for family businesses
  • Deeds to convey assets to family members
  • Trusts to limit probate, to handle special family needs and to administer retirement assets
  • Powers of attorney in case of disability, incapacity or unavailability
  • Advance directives and living wills for health care

CarneyKelehan attorneys guide clients through the probate process when they have recently experienced the loss of a loved one. We offer assistance in the probating of a decedent estate including:

  • Probating the estate
  • Advising trustees
  • Making family, spousal and tax elections
  • Preparing any necessary tax returns
  • Handling administrative details with the probate court and other persons dealing with the estate
  • Accounting for the estate
  • Distributing the estate’s assets
  • Will contests and disputes

CarneyKelehan estate and trust attorneys also assist in the management of trust assets and administration. Once a trust is established, the trustee must meet all legal obligations in administering the trust. Our attorneys will assist the trustee in administering the trust throughout its existence.

CarneyKelehan attorneys are qualified in all aspects of planning, administration, tax and litigation related to trust and estate planning and provide our clients with the depth of legal resources required for the skillful handling of their interests.  Just as critically, however, they are also sensitive to the often-difficult emotional strain that estates can produce.