Trusts, Estates & Wealth Management

Saving taxes is very important, but often the most difficult issues in estate planning are family matters, such as whether a child's inheritance should be left in trust, when should a beneficiary receive his or her share of the estate outright, or who should be selected to help the family with the management of its assets. It is also important to deal with the disposition of personal assets because sometimes there are disagreements in administering an estate over the least valuable items--family keepsakes having sentimental value.

Miller & Martin attorneys have dealt with all of these issues and others, and have many years of experience in avoiding unwanted financial consequences or family disputes. While Miller & Martin attorneys handle many complex and sizeable estates, most of our work is with hardworking people who have built assets over a lifetime.

Estate Planning for Personal Assets

Miller & Martin handles estate planning for clients with estates of any size. The firm produces documents from the simple to the most sophisticated, including wills and trusts that may or may not use exemptions and deductions and advises clients with regard to gifts and other transfers of family wealth, including the estate, gift and generation-skipping tax consequences. The firm also utilizes advance directives (durable powers of attorney for property, health care and living wills) in most estate plans, which have become a standard part of this practice area over the years. Lending advice on the aspects of charitable giving is also a part of our practice, including describing the advantages of charitable remainder trusts as well as exempt organizations and the establishment and maintenance of private foundations.

Estate Planning in Connection with Business Interests

Quite often, a client's estate plan will involve a business or other asset, such as real estate. Miller & Martin can develop transfer and succession planning for these assets as well as for life insurance and family limited partnerships.

Fiduciary Administration

The firm represents executors and administrators of descendant's estate and trustees of trusts who are managing the transfer of personal and business assets. The firm will assist fiduciaries with the preparation of death tax returns, represent the estate in an audit by the IRS, and prepare all court filings necessary for a smooth administration. Miller & Martin also advises executors and trustees regarding controversies that may arise regarding descendant's estates or personal trusts.