Trusts & Estate Planning

Trusts and estate planning allows you to protect your assets, provide for loved ones, and ensure your wishes are carried out during your lifetime and beyond.

Trusts and Estate Planning

At Donnelly Minter & Kelly, LLC we understand that your wealth and accumulated assets are the culmination of your hard work and concerted efforts. We also understand the importance of protecting those assets during your lifetime, and controlling the disposition of your assets upon your death or incapacity. It can be uncomfortable for many people to discuss what will happen to their assets when they pass, but a well thought-out, detailed estate plan that considers all of your assets, their risks, and your ultimate goals and objectives is necessary to ensure your wishes are carried out.

We also provide skilled support in trusts and estate administration to ensure your plan is carried out smoothly.

Building Sound Estate Plans

Our Trust and Estate attorneys are well-qualified in the areas of trusts and estate planning and the related laws governing federal estate and gift taxation, state inheritance tax, will and trusts, and charitable giving.

Not only are our attorneys able to assist you with creating the basic, but necessary, documents – including wills, revocable trusts, living wills, and powers of attorney – but they also can advise you in matters relating to the structuring of your trusts to achieve estate and gift tax planning and creditor protection, as well as with the appointment of guardians and conservators if necessary or desirable.

Our attorneys have more than 60 years of combined experience in diverse areas of law including Trusts and Estate Planning and Administration. Many of our clients have entrusted us with handling their legal estate and trust matters for decades and, in some instances, we have been fortunate and privileged to work with several clients across several generations. We believe in the importance of building and maintaining strong client/attorney relationships and in listening carefully to our clients’ intended objectives so that we can best serve their needs in an efficient, practical, and tax-efficient manner wherever possible. When it comes to Trusts and Estate Planning, this is essential.

Business Succession Plans for Smooth Transitions

Perhaps you have devoted time and energy establishing your own family-owned business and have hopes for its continued success after you leave the helm. Our attorneys can assist you with developing a business succession plan that helps to position your business in the best manner to achieve your goal of having the business continue for years into the future or, in some instances, be transferred or liquidated in the future in a prescribed and planned manner to maximize value and liquidity for the next generation(s).

Business succession planning not only is informed by your vision for the future but will also address issues of transition of control when the time comes.

Special Needs Trusts Planning and Guardianships

Our attorneys have the expertise and compassion to assist families and individuals with disabilities in the necessary and tailored planning required to ensure ongoing care, financial stability, and eligibility for public benefits in the future for their most vulnerable loved ones.

Sometimes this will involve trust planning as well as working closely with the family and the appropriate court to appoint legal decision-makers and future caregivers so as to provide the support necessary throughout their lives. This approach allows us to promote independence where possible and to provide families with peace of mind regarding the care of their loved ones.