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Estate Planning
Estate Planning & Administration
The goal of professional estate planning is to ensure that a
client's assets transfer to his beneficiaries in as simple & cost effective
manner as possible. At the same time, the plan must meet a family's unique and
personal needs. Estate planning ranges from simply preparing Wills for a young
family to very sophisticated plans using multiple trusts, partnerships and a
variety of other techniques.
Administering an estate involves the orderly transfer of assets
of death. Often it can be accomplished with minimal or no Probate Court
involvement if proper estate planning is done beforehand. I provide all levels
of? support in the administration process. This includes simply serving as
an advisor to clients wishing to "do it themselves" as well as
providing full and complete administration services. When appropriate, I can
even serve as Executor to an estate.
In twenty years of practice, I have counseled hundreds of estate
planning clients ranging from young families to multimillionaires with complex
issues and concerns. Each client receives my
personal attention
to
ensure that his or her needs are met in the most cost
effective
manner.
Business Law
I offer a wide variety of services to businesses and
individuals. This includes counseling clients on the proper business format for
their particular needs. At that consultation, the differences between a
corporation (S or C), partnership, sole proprietorship, limited liability
company, family limited partnership and other vehicles are evaluated for the
client.
Business services also include drafting Buy-Sell Agreements and
working on business acquisitions and dissolutions.
As a business lawyer, I frequently draft, analyze or negotiate
contracts for clients. Time spent on a properly drafted and well understood
contract can save a business considerable litigation expense in the future.
Despite the best laid plans, businesses are sometimes faced with
conflicts and disputed claims. Frequently, legal intervention early on will
avoid more costly litigation expense later. My
practical approach
to business disputes and
sensitivity to a client's bottom line
,
focuses on the most expedient and cost effective way to meet the client's goal.
Sometimes this calls for a swift and aggressive lawsuit. Other times it requires
only a letter or phone call to caution or appease the other side.
Fee Policy
Personal and business planning requires a clear understanding of
the cost of legal services. Prior to accepting an engagement, I will discuss the
nature of the work required and give you a realistic estimate of cost. In
certain cases a fixed fee can be quoted or specific pricing alternatives can be
arranged.
Fortunately, the lower overhead of a suburban centered law
practice allows me to pass along savings in the form
of lower rates
than an equivalent "downtown" firm.
A new client's first one half (1/2) hour of initial consultation
is not billed. | 
