TRUSTS, ESTATES AND ESTATE PLANNING

William McGraw	Alan Kappers	Andrew Wannemacher

Dungan & LeFevre's Trust and Estate attorneys counsel clients in all matters concerning transfer of their personal estates and wealth to their intended beneficiaries in a cost effective,  planned and orderly manner.  This may involve a review and update of a client's Will and creating other compatible estate planning documents, including durable general Powers of Attorney, Healthcare Powers of Attorney and Living Wills.  We also counsel clients concerning whether or not a Revocable Living Trust would be an appropriate tool for their estate plan.

The process may also include techniques to minimize estate taxes and develop gifting plans and business succession plans to pass control of a closely held business to the next generation.

We often engage in more complex planning involving the use of Family Limited Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies, Charitable Remainder Trusts, Charitable Lead Trusts, Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts and Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts.  We developed estate planning techniques and tailor specific individual plans for each client's unique situation.

ESTATE ADMINISTRATION  

Our Trust and Estate attorneys represent Fiduciaries including Executors, Administrators and Trustees in helping them deal with the complexities of the Probate and Trust administration process.  We assist the Fiduciaries in probating the Will of their loved one, inventorying and valuing  assets, paying debts, filing timely income and estate tax returns and distributing the assets of the estate according to the Will or Trust of the decedent.

FIDUCIARY & PROBATE LITIGATION

Occasionally unavoidable disputes occur which require representation of Executors, Administrators, Trustees and Beneficiaries.  Our attorneys are equipped to vigorously and sensitively  represent clients in resolving these disputes.

PRE-MARITAL AGREEMENTS

If a client is planning to get married, our lawyers counsel with the client to determine if a prenuptial agreement is appropriate to ensure that the client's estate is transferred at death in accordance with the client's wishes.