Trusts & Estates Attorneys at A.Y. Strauss

Our trusts, estates, and private client attorneys provide comprehensive, client-focused counsel to individuals, families, family offices, entrepreneurs, and businesses. We take an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to estate and wealth planning, working closely with clients to develop solutions that protect assets while safeguarding relationships, values, and long-term legacies. Combining legal sophistication with practical insight, we help clients deal with complex issues, preserve wealth, and ensure continuity into the future.

Estate Planning & Wealth Transfer

We advise on all aspects of estate planning, from foundational documents such as wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, and powers of attorney to complicated wealth transfer techniques. Our capabilities include advanced planning strategies such as grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATs), qualified personal residence trusts (QPRTs), intentionally defective grantor trusts (IDGTs), and self-canceling installment notes (SCINs).

We also provide domestic and offshore asset protection planning and develop tax-advantaged structures to facilitate the orderly transfer of wealth while decreasing exposure to estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes.

Trusts & Estates Administration

Our attorneys guide fiduciaries and beneficiaries through all phases of trusts and estates administration, including probate and complex, multi-jurisdictional matters. We provide steadfast support from initial administration through final distribution and prepare estate and gift tax returns as part of our administration services.

Business Succession & Transactional Planning

We work closely with business owners and entrepreneurs to integrate estate planning with business succession strategies. Our experience includes forming family limited partnerships, limited liability companies (LLCs), structuring buy-sell agreements, and advising on corporate transactions and business acquisitions.

We assist clients in implementing strategies to transfer appreciating assets, such as interests in early-stage companies, at advantageous valuations, allowing future growth to pass to the next generation in a tax-efficient manner. We also advise on entity formation, reorganizations, stock issuances and buybacks, and the tax implications of asset and stock sales.

Tax Planning & Controversy

We provide comprehensive income, estate, and gift tax planning to help clients minimize tax exposure and optimize outcomes. Our services include strategic tax planning and representation in tax controversy and litigation matters.

Modern Families and Specialized Needs

Our attorneys provide LGBTQIA+ individuals and families with compassionate, knowledgeable counsel tailored to their unique circumstances. We are committed to protecting our clients’ rights and supporting their families with dignity and respect, making certain that every client feels seen, heard, and fully supported. Our experience includes the full range of estates, trusts, administration, and tax services.

We also have significant experience advising individuals and families managing special needs-related planning. We work closely with clients to develop thoughtful, customized solutions that protect eligibility for government benefits, provide long-term financial security, and ensure continuity of care through tools such as special needs trusts, guardianships, and advance directives.

Schedule a Consultation

The Trusts & Estates practice group works closely with A.Y. Strauss’s other practice areas – including corporate, litigation, and family – to provide clients with holistic and integrated legal support. Whether you’re seeking counsel on estate planning, asset protection, business succession strategies, or tax planning and more, our team offers deep knowledge, experience and legal insight to help you move forward with confidence.