Trusts, Charitable Giving, & Tax Planning

Trusts, Charitable Giving, & Tax Planning

In today’s complex world, there are many kinds of trusts available for many different purposes. Our experienced trust attorneys help guide clients through that maze to determine if a trust is the best planning tool, and if so, what type of trust will best achieve your goals.

We have a team of attorneys who, because they focus their practice in the area of wills and estates, have been able to excel in more complex and nuanced areas to meet the needs of clients with more comprehensive planning goals. When you meet with one of our attorneys, he or she will evaluate your financial portfolio and goals, then recommend a tailored suite of trust documents to help you achieve them. Our attorneys and staff also assist in funding trusts and trust administration matters after a trust is established.

Our attorneys work with financial advisors, accountants, and other financial experts retained by our clients to ensure that they receive seamless service. This also allows us to anticipate and avoid any complications, and ensure that both our clients’ and their beneficiaries’ interests are protected in the long term.

Trusts and Charitable Giving

We regularly advise clients who have important charitable interests that they wish to carry out, both during life and following death. These clients may choose to establish Charitable Remainder Trusts or other vehicles to reach their charitable planning goals.

Supplemental and Special Needs Trusts

Many of our estate planning clients wish to provide for children, grandchildren, or other loved ones with special needs. Some clients are able to utilize supplemental needs trusts for those special needs beneficiaries, while maintaining their government assistance benefits.

Trusts and Tax Planning

Some of our clients need assistance in minimizing or avoiding federal and New York State estate taxes. We offer advice and assistance regarding life insurance trusts, irrevocable trusts, and other tax-planning trusts to lessen the impact of estate taxes. As a complement to our Trust & Estate Administration practice, we also prepare fiduciary income taxes and decedent’s final individual income taxes.

Legal Services Tailored to Your Specific Needs

At Coughlin & Gerhart, we listen to each client’s individual needs and develop the best plan to meet your goals. Just as no two individuals are alike, every one of our client’s plans is based on his or her unique assets, family situation, and planning goals.

Speak with a Lawyer

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