Corporate and M&A

Trusts & Estates

Preti Flaherty has a multi-state trust and estate practice focused on the legal and financial issues associated with individuals and families and the accumulation, conservation and transfer of wealth. We develop close relationships with our clients, taking the time to understand their goals and objectives and educate them about the various options before assisting with the implementation of their estate plan. When a trust or estate dispute arises, we draw on the substantive knowledge of our attorneys and the strength of the firm’s litigation practice group. We provide counsel and legal solutions for the full range of matters involved in trusts and estates. Our experience includes:

  • Estate planning
  • Wills, trusts, durable powers of attorney and other family-controlled entities
  • Re-titling of assets
  • Retirement plan assets including IRAs, 401(k)s and qualified plans
  • Probate litigation
  • Representation of executors, personal representatives, trustees and beneficiaries
  • Contested trust and estate matters
  • Guardianship and conservatorship proceedings
  • Non-profit/charitable planning
  • Effective and efficient tax planning
  • Formation and operation of family foundations
  • Representation before the IRS, state revenue authorities and regulatory agencies

A wealth of experience in estate and trust administration

In addition to matters of planning and dispute resolution, our attorneys regularly advise and assist individual and professional fiduciaries with basic and complex legal and financial issues related to estate and trust administration. Our services include assisting with admission of decedent’s will to probate, identification and gathering of assets, representing the estate against legal actions such as third-party creditor claims, preparation of estate tax returns, the distribution of assets and obtaining the discharge of the fiduciary. We also advise trustees regarding legal issues associated with creation, operation and termination of a trust. As part of our services, we also prepare any fiduciary-related accountings and inventories.