Estates & Trusts
Proper estate planning enables you to control how your property will be distributed and helps you protect the value of your estate for your heirs. With her prior profession as a fiduciary accountant, Harriette offers dual experience to her estate planning clients. She draws on her extensive knowledge of tax law, as well as the law associated with inheritance rights, to develop a comprehensive estate plan meeting each client’s objectives.
Her practice encompasses:
Estate Planning
Estate and Trust Administration
Living Trusts
Estate Mediation
Estate Planning – A good estate plan can help ensure your children receive excellent care in the event of your death, minimize estate taxes and guarantee that your assets are passed along to your heirs according to your wishes. Harriette has broad experience advising clients regarding their wills, trusts and tax strategies. Her services also include reviewing existing life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and business interests to ensure they align with the client’s goals for his/her estate.
Estate and Trust Administration – Administrating an estate or trust is the process that addresses the final stages of a person’s finances. It includes probate, asset collection, debt payment, and asset distribution as provided by your Will, or under the laws of intestacy should you die without a Will. Harriette will work to ensure that your estate is administered in an economical matter and in accordance with your intent.
Living Trust – A living trust is a tool by which one can ensure that their estate passes upon their death to their heirs in the manner they choose. Oftentimes, estate distribution is better accomplished with the creation of a trust rather than a Will. Harriette will prepare your living trust in such a way that is understandable and which easily accomplishes the results that you intend.
Estate Mediation – Disputes that arise in connection with a person’s death are extremely expensive to litigate in the Surrogate’s Court. When properly structured, mediation can produce reasonable solutions for the parties, both in terms of cost and future relationships. Harriette’s cumulative experience in this area informs her expertise as a neutral mediator.
