TRUST AND ESTATE LITIGATION
Unfortunately, the division and distribution of estate and trust assets can bring out the worst in people. Family members may contest the validity of a will or trust. Executors, trustees and other fiduciaries can mismanage assets or, worse yet, steal assets from estates and trusts. Estate plans can also be the product of fraud, duress and undue influence by people with malicious intentions. There are many different scenarios that can lead to conflicts between and among family members, beneficiaries, executors and trustees.
When disputes arise, we aggressively and effectively represent executors, trustees, spouses, beneficiaries and heirs in disputes in Surrogate's Court, New York State Supreme Court and in Federal District Court. We represent our clients through all phases of trust and estate litigation, including pleadings, discovery, motion practice, trials and appeals. We have years of experience representing clients in cases involving contested probate proceedings, will contests, kinship disputes, trust validity disputes, spousal rights proceedings, kinship proceedings, elder abuse cases, guardianship proceedings, contested accountings and cased involving fiduciary misconduct.
TRUST AND ESTATE ADMINISTRATION
Turman Legal Solutions does not stop protecting you and your assets after your estate plan is executed. We are here to help our clients probate wills and administer estates either through a formal process in Surrogate's Court or an informal process if you have a Trust-based estate plan.
We help executors and trustees probate Wills (if necessary), marshal assets of the estate, notify creditors and address creditors' claims, manage and invest estate and trust assets, make distributions to beneficiaries, prepare estate and trust accountings and close out estates and trusts.
ASSET PROTECTION
The tools commonly used by estate planning attorneys can also be useful to protect assets from creditors. Asset protection plans employ a number of legal and financial tools designed to shield assets from potential lawsuits, bankruptcy and creditor claims.
These tools can involve a simple transfer to a corporation or limited liability company (LLC) or one of several forms of irrevocable trusts available in New York. More sophisticated asset protection plans may involve the formation of domestic self-settled trusts and offshore trusts, including Cook Island trusts. There is no one size fits all approach to asset protection. We would be happy to discuss strategies we can use to help you protect your assets.
