Estate Planning & Trusts
Balch & Bingham's Estate Planning & Trusts Practice attorneys counsel clients and provide representation on tax and non-tax aspects of estates, trusts and financial planning. We advise clients about estate planning opportunities as they apply within the context of each client's situation. The drafting projects are typically sophisticated when the family's estate situation is complex, and may include preparation of wills, establishment of various trusts, formation of family limited partnerships and limited liability companies, execution of powers of attorney, and anticipation of long-term health decisions using advance health care directives.
The estates and trusts practice includes the following general areas:
- Estate planning and drafting of wills, trusts and other estate documents
- Charitable planning including charitable trusts and private foundations
- Probate and trust administration
- Representation of charitable, non-profit and other tax-exempt entities
- Representation in tax controversies
- Representation in will contests and other related court disputes
- Formation and Administration of limited liability companies
Charitable and Exempt Organization Representation
We represent private foundations and other charitable organizations of regional and national importance. In addition, our attorneys assist clients with the establishment of private family foundations and also advise clients on structuring various types of lifetime and testamentary charitable giving.
Tax Controversy Matters
Our trusts and estates practice frequently represents clients before the Internal Revenue Service and, if necessary, in various state and federal courts, in connection with estate and gift tax audits, and other tax controversies. Our attorneys work on these matters in conjunction with Balch's litigation practice.
Will Contests and Other Court Proceedings
We handle will contests and litigation seeking the proper construction of wills and trusts. Attorneys in the estate practice appear before courts and call upon the support of lawyers from the litigation practice in the case of contested matters.
