Trusts & Estates

Practice Co-Chairs: Warren A. Sinsheimer and Herb Stroh

Our Trusts and Estates attorneys bring a high level of skill and experience to the complex tasks involved in assisting people with protecting their assets and assuring the passage of those assets to the client's intended beneficiaries in the most efficient way with the least possible tax. We assist clients and their other advisors in the design and implementation of estate plans which may include wills, trusts of all kinds, and other appropriate wealth transfer devices. Minimizing estate and inheritance taxes imposed by the United States, the State of California and other taxing jurisdictions is a key component of our plans. Our Trusts and Estates attorneys also have experience in corporate and other business matters enabling them to assist in the passage of family businesses in the most appropriate manner whether through trusts, family limited partnerships or other entities. Most importantly, we work closely with our clients to assure a smooth transition with a minimum burden whether of taxes, administration complexities or family disputes. When disputes do arise, we work closely with our litigation attorneys in prosecuting or defending claims related to will contests, trust disputes, and other fiduciary litigation.

We also work closely with fiduciaries, beneficiaries and other interested parties in all aspects of probate and trust administration, including preparation of Federal and State Estate Tax Returns. Our Trusts and Estates attorneys are active in state and national professional organizations. They regularly lecture in professional continuing education programs for attorneys and other professionals, and they write for publication on trusts and estates issues in professional journals.