Family Wealth Preservation

Through the preparation of carefully drafted Wills, Trusts, Partnership and Operating Agreements our goal is to transfer family assets from one generation to the next while minimizing potential exposure to liability for estate tax and the claims of creditors and ultimately vesting control in accordance with the clients’ wishes. Where appropriate we utilize and structure ownership of life insurance policies to provide estate liquidity and fund potential estate tax and other liabilities.

We represent the trustees of lifetime and testamentary (created at death) trusts as well as the personal representatives of estates. Trustees and Personal Representatives are subject to a myriad of state law requirements which must be complied with as well as legal and business decisions which require our counsel.

Real Estate Title and Transactions

We represent individual purchasers, sellers, developers and entrepreneurs in all phases of real estate transactions. We are involved in contract negotiation, preparation, closing and post-closing matters for purchases, refinances and like-kind exchanges of residential and commercial properties. We handle zoning and land use matters and prepare leases for commercial and residential properties. Also, Mr. Klitzman is a title agent with Attorneys Title Insurance Fund, Inc. and regularly serves as settlement agent for closings.

There are many forms of entities through which an individual can own a business or hold title to real estate, marketable securities or other assets. Domestic and offshore jurisdictions offer differing planning considerations for these entities. We structure a variety of different types of entities for our clients’ transactions including joint venture arrangements, partnerships (both general and limited), limited liability companies and limited liability limited partnerships, all depending upon the client’s circumstances and needs. We work closely with our clients’ accountants and financial advisors to customize the optimum arrangement. We also handle mergers and acquisitions and the purchase and sale of our clients' businesses.

We represent parties in commercial litigation matters such as contracts disputes, issues concerning Wills and Trusts and contested accounts. We also represent consumers in class action cases against large corporations such as banks and telephone companies when we feel they are charging consumers for something they are not obligated to pay.