Probate and Trust & Estate Administration

Probate and Trust & Estate Administration

Following the death of a close relative, families are often left to sort through a confusing maze of legal questions about the relative’s estate. Our probate and trust & estate administration lawyers provide clarity for these complex legal issues, guiding our clients through the probate and administration process. Our experienced and dedicated attorneys and paralegals assist clients throughout the estate administration process, including estate tax and fiduciary income tax aspects, if necessary. We work closely with estate representatives (executors, administrators, and trustees) to fulfill their responsibilities in an estate administration. Our practice involves counseling and guiding executors, administrators, and trustees in the many decisions to be made in planning and administering an estate or trust. We also assist estate beneficiaries in understanding the legal process and making sure their interests are well-represented.

As a full-service law firm, we are equipped to address any issues that may arise in the course of the administration of an estate or trust, including real estate matters, ongoing management of closely held businesses, or wrongful death actions.

If and when disagreements arise involving wills or the administration of estates and trusts, it is sometimes necessary to pursue a matter through litigation in Surrogate’s Court. Our attorneys are experienced in such litigation, and we vigorously advocate to resolve those cases in our clients’ favor.

Taxation: Fiduciary and Individual Income

As a complement to our Trust & Estate Administration practice, we prepare fiduciary income taxes and decedent’s final individual income taxes.

Contact Coughlin & Gerhart

To arrange a confidential consultation with one of our firm’s trust & estate administration or probate attorneys, call our main office in Binghamton at (607) 821-2202, toll free 800-646-3420, or send an email.