Our clients and their families trust Friday, Eldredge & Clark for counsel in carrying out their estate plans after death. We also advise fiduciaries on the administration of estates and trusts. Just as these clients do, you can rely on lawyers who have all the credentials you expect from members of a strong trust and estate practice. Nearly all of our partners have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America, several have been recognized by Chambers USA, and a number are CPAs or Fellows in the prestigious American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.
Fiduciary counsel
Your estate plan is effective only if it is properly executed and administered. Our lawyers will work with your executors and trustees in matters of probate, estate and trust administration to see that your wishes are carried out and your loved ones protected. We effectively counsel individual and corporate fiduciaries, executors, administrators, guardians, trustees, and beneficiaries on the estate administration and settlement process, guiding them through the legal requirements imposed by the governing documents and state law as well as the tax compliance obligations for fiduciary income taxes, estate and gift taxes and generation-skipping transfer taxes. We work with fiduciaries and their other tax advisors to determine the optimal post-mortem tax elections and estate tax payment options, and we can assist in the preparation of decedent's estate and gift tax returns.
Probate proceedings
You have the assurance of knowing that we have extensive experience handling probate proceedings for all kinds of estates. The settling of an estate is a process which requires careful compliance with the Probate Code and tax requirements, and we protect our clients’ interests by helping their personal representatives fulfill all of those obligations. We also guide executors through any asset sales that may be required for liquidity or estate distribution, seeking the most favorable terms, and working with appraisal experts to determine the proper methods of asset valuation.
Dispute resolution
We have proven success representing clients in controversies with the IRS on estate valuation and other tax matters. Also, we regularly help resolve sensitive issues regarding the validity, construction, and administration of wills and trusts, and we handle claims against fiduciaries and probate disputes. When litigation is necessary we collaborate with firm trial attorneys who are recognized as among the best trial lawyers in our state.
