An estate plan is more than just a well-drafted will or trust. We work with our clients to first understand their assets, family dynamics and ultimate objectives in planning for major life cycle events, then work to develop and implement an estate plan to match their unique needs.
With extensive experience representing high net worth individuals in connection with wealth preservation, asset protection, business succession planning, charitable giving and complex tax and estate planning, we possess the knowledge, skill and temperament to assist clients from all backgrounds and economic strata in connection with crafting and managing estate plans to meet their specific goals and objectives. We work closely with investment advisors, accountants, insurance brokers and family offices to conceive and execute the most sophisticated of trust and estate plans and bring to bear equal attention, care and expertise to clients whose estate planning needs are more straightforward.
Upon the loss of a family member, we competently and efficiently manage all aspects of probate and trust administration, and deliver the advice and counsel required with sensitivity and compassion.
Building a Future for Those You Care About Starts Today
Estate planning and wealth preservation isn’t just for the wealthy; it's for anybody who has a family, who owns a business, or who simply wants to ensure that their assets are distributed according to their wishes. Moreover, there’s more to preserving and planning than creating a will. Tax considerations, charitable giving, changes in relationships and the inevitable changes in the law mean that you need an attorney who will be with you for the long run to ensure that your plan reflects your wishes now and in the future.
The law firm of Silverman Schermer has an extensive background in helping clients with:
- Estate Planning: An estate plan frequently includes more than just a will and living trust. We assist clients in developing a plan that protects assets from creditors, provides protection in case of incapacitation, helps avoid probate, and addresses any unique circumstances.
- Wealth Preservation and Planning: Through tools such as generation-skipping trusts and other legal instruments, we help clients ensure that their estates are protected and preserved for future generations.
- Estate and Trust Administration: We take much of the weight off of our clients’ shoulders in settling estates by coordinating probate, ensuring compliance with tax laws, securing estate assets to pay debts and expenses, and safeguarding the wishes of the deceased.
- Business Succession Planning: We assist clients in creating and implementing a solid business succession plan, ensuring that their companies will be passed on to the next generation in accordance with their wishes. We know that addressing tough questions today can give our clients the peace of mind of a seamless transition, with minimal obstacles, tomorrow.
Creating a Strategy for Protecting Your Assets and Your Legacy
Tomorrow comes all too soon—and that’s why you should start preparing today. The purpose of wealth preservation and estate planning is to ensure that your assets are protected and can be passed on to future generations, on your terms. Silverman Schermer provides sound advice in all areas of wealth management and estate planning, including asset protection, powers of attorney, living wills/health care proxies, estate and gift tax planning, will and trust construction and probate and trust administration.
We Start by Addressing your Current Needs, Then Look to Those in the Future
From the beginning, our attorneys meet with you to discuss where you are and where you want to be, and then work collaboratively to create an estate plan that ensures your wishes and needs are met, both now and as you move forward, including:
- Undertaking a detailed review of asset type and ownership, analyzing the ownership of assets that are not generally subject to probate administration, and advising on appropriate structures to avoid probate
- Drafting basic testamentary estate planning documents that serve as the blueprint for how each client’s assets will be distributed, including a Last Will and Testament, and, where appropriate, a Revocable Living Trust
- Drafting health care directives that allow clients to appoint a surrogate to make decisions should they become incapacitated. We guide clients in making individual and personal decisions relative to the types of medical treatment they wish or do not wish to receive
- Advising clients on life insurance and other liquidity techniques that are often valuable ways to transfer wealth within a family