Trusts, Estates and Private Client Services

More than ever, families are concerned with protecting and preserving assets and ensuring orderly administration of their affairs in the event of their death or incapacity. Garfunkel Wild’s Trusts, Estates and Private Client Services Practice Group helps clients develop and implement effective estate planning strategies that preserve family wealth and legacies.  We advise on all matters related to estate planning, gift planning, estate and trust administration, and related tax matters.  From the simple to the complex, we draft wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, advance directives, family agreements, and business succession plans, and have assisted countless families with estate tax planning and maximizing the wealth passing to the next generation by minimizing estate and gift taxes.  In estate and trust administration, we provide executors, trustees, and beneficiaries with tailored guidance for navigating their rights, responsibilities, and family dynamics.

We assist our clients with the following:

  • Preparation of wills and advance directives such as powers of attorney, health care proxies, living wills, and directives concerning disposition of remains
  • Preparation of revocable and irrevocable trusts, including but not limited to Insurance Trusts, Spousal Lifetime Access Trusts, Qualified Personal Residence Trusts, Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts, Asset Protection Trusts, and Medicaid Qualifying Trusts
  • Probate, Estate Administration, Trust Administration, and Trust and Estate Accountings
  • Representation in Surrogate’s Court proceedings
  • Proper asset structuring to take advantage of tax saving opportunities
  • Retirement plans, distribution calculations, and beneficiary designations
  • Preservation of family assets through generational planning (“generation-skipping”)
  • Gift planning techniques, estate tax and gift tax issues
  • Practice and business succession issues
  • Family limited partnerships/limited liability companies
  • Charitable giving techniques, including charitable trusts and creation of private foundations

Garfunkel Wild’s Trusts,  Estates and Private Client Services team customizes each estate plan to fit clients’ needs based on their own finances, family situation, and personal circumstances. We pride ourselves on staying current with the latest developments in estate, trust, and tax laws, and addressing each client’s personal needs and objectives with sensitivity and expertise.

Practice Group Contacts

Featured Image

Doris L. Martin

Partner/Director
516-393-2205

Team

Featured Image

Bianca DeLeon

Associate
516-393-2281
Featured Image

Eve Green Koopersmith

Of Counsel
516-393-2282
Featured Image

Alan H. Perzley

Of Counsel
201-518-3444
Featured Image

Colleen M. Tarpey

Partner
516-393-2536
Featured Image

Kristen M. Walsh

Senior Attorney
516-393-2207
Featured Image

Madelin T. Zwerling

Partner
516-393-2510

October 31, 2024|Alerts

Changes on the Horizon May Affect Your Estate Plan

Here is an overview of certain estate and gift tax rules currently in effect, the changes on the horizon, and ways you can save estate taxes for your family.

August 16, 2024|Alerts

Back to School Legal Issues

As the summer draws to a close, that fall back-to-school feeling comes back for many of us and it’s an excellent time to put your estate planning in order and see if any updates should be made. Consider the following: Changes to your estate plan may be warranted if, for example, a marriage ended, you […]

June 14, 2024|Events

National Business Institute’s New York Probate Process from Start to Finish

Garfunkel Wild's Kristen Walsh will present the "Inventory and Appraisement" portion at the National Business Institute (NBI) online seminar "New York Probate Process from Start to Finish" on Friday, June 14, 2024.

May 2, 2024|Events

National Health Care Decisions Day: Know Your Choices, Share Your Wishes

Planning for end-of-life medical care and estate planning can be daunting, but failing to put your affairs in order can leave your family with difficult decisions, increased expenses, and outcomes you didn’t intend. Join our webinar as Garfunkel Wild attorneys explain the legal documents every person should have

April 25, 2024|Alerts

FTC Bans Non-Competes Across the Nation

On Tuesday, April 23, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) promulgated a final rule banning most non-compete agreements, in any industry, and is set to become effective 120 days after its publication in the Federal Register (the “Final Rule”).

January 24, 2024|Events

FCMA and HCMA Webinar – Asset Protection Planning for Medical Liability Claims

Garfunkel Wild’s Doris L. Martin, Esq. and Kristen M. Walsh, Esq. will present the webinar Asset Protection Planning for Medical Liability Claims.

December 14, 2023|Events

Year-End Estate Planning Opportunities 2023

Now is a great time to review your estate plan to make sure it reflects your current wishes and takes advantage of wealth transfer opportunities. Our webinar will walk you through the latest tax issues and new developments, and provide guidance on how to best prepare for the months ahead.

December 1, 2023|Alerts

2023 Year-End Estate Planning Opportunities

Estate planning has been challenging in recent years.  Drastic changes were proposed, but not enacted, and a major reduction to the Federal estate tax exemption is scheduled for 2026.  What we do know is that the sooner you act, the more options you have to save estate taxes for your family.  

October 31, 2023|Alerts

Estate Planning Awareness Month: Advance Directives, Explained

This alert discusses Advance Directives, including the Durable Power of Attorney, Health Care Designation, and Living Will, which are essential components of every estate plan.

October 23, 2023|Alerts

Estate Planning Awareness Month: Using Revocable Trusts in Your Estate Plan

In honor of National Estate Planning Awareness Month, Garfunkel Wild, P.C. wants to remind you of the importance of creating and maintaining an estate plan.  Below we provide an overview of the Revocable Trust, an essential part of any estate plan.

July 27, 2023|Events

How To Protect Your Assets and Family Using Trusts

Join Garfunkel Wild's Doris L. Martin and Kristen M. Walsh as she shares how to navigate the often intimidating world of trusts.

July 6, 2023|Publications

The Section 529 College Savings Account: A Gift and Estate Tax Planning Perspective

In this article published in the New York State Bar Associations Health Law Journal (2023 - Vol. 56 - No. 2), Kristen Walsh discusses the Section 529 College Savings Account: A Gift and Estate Tax Planning Perspective.

December 16, 2022|Alerts

2022 Year-End Estate Planning Opportunities

In light of market unpredictability and incoming changes to the gift and estate tax regime, now is a great time to review your estate plan to make sure it reflects your current wishes and takes advantage of wealth transfer opportunities.

March 10, 2022|Alerts

Spring Clean Your Estate Plan

Now is a great time to review your estate plan and make sure it correctly reflects your wishes and allows you to capitalize on wealth transfer opportunities. Consider these recommendations:

June 8, 2021|Alerts

Pending Changes In The Law Will Impact Many Estate Plans

Due to impending estate and economic changes on the horizon, now is the time to review your estate plan to make sure it is in order. Several tax proposals have been introduced that if enacted will significantly increase income, gift, and estate taxes.

May 12, 2021|Publications

Kristen Walsh Co-Authored An Article Published In The New York State Bar Association Perspective

Kristen Walsh, co-authored the article “Estate Planning for the Young Professional,” published in the Spring 2021 New York State Bar Association Perspective.

January 27, 2021|Events

New York State Bar Association Young Lawyers Section: Annual Meeting 2021

Kristen Walsh will present at the New York State Bar Association Young Lawyers Section: Annual Meeting 2021 on January 27, 2021.

April 23, 2020|Events

Garfunkel Wild Webinar – Personal Advance Care Planning in a Pandemic: How can I get my health care proxy, living will, and estate planning documents in order?

Garfunkel Wild’s  Eve Green Koopersmith and Doris L. Martin will present the webinar  “Personal Advance Care Planning in a Pandemic: How can I get my health care proxy, living will and estate planning documents in order” on April 23, 2020.

November 8, 2019|Events

New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) 17th Annual Sophisticated Trusts & Estates Law Institute

Eve Green Koopersmith will present at the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) 17th Annual Sophisticated Trusts & Estates Law Institute on November 8, 2019.

October 21, 2019|Events

New York State Society of Plastic Surgeons (NYSSPS) Annual Membership Meeting

Doris L. Martin presented at the New York State Society of Plastic Surgeons (NYSSPS) Annual Membership Meeting on October 21, 2019

September 25, 2019|Events

Argentum Executive Director Leadership Institute (EDLI)

Eve Green Koopersmith will present at the Argentum Executive Director Leadership Institute (EDLI) on September 25, 2019.

April 16, 2019|Events

Garfunkel Wild Webinar – National Health Care Decisions Day

Garfunkel Wild Webinar – April 16th – National Health Care Decisions Day

March 1, 2019|Publications

Madelin Zwerling has article published in the March 2019 issue of The Medical Society of the State of New York’s News of New York

Madelin Zwerling, Associate in the Personal Services and Estate Planning Practice Group, had her article “Dear Doctors: Are you Sending Your College-Age Children Off With The Proper Legal Documentation in Place?” published in the March 2019 issue of The Medical Society of the State of New York’s News of New York.

More than ever, families are concerned with protecting and preserving assets and ensuring orderly administration of their affairs in the event of their death or incapacity. Garfunkel Wild’s Trusts, Estates and Private Client Services Practice Group helps clients develop and implement effective estate planning strategies that preserve family wealth and legacies.  We advise on all matters related to estate planning, gift planning, estate and trust administration, and related tax matters.  From the simple to the complex, we draft wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, advance directives, family agreements, and business succession plans, and have assisted countless families with estate tax planning and maximizing the wealth passing to the next generation by minimizing estate and gift taxes.  In estate and trust administration, we provide executors, trustees, and beneficiaries with tailored guidance for navigating their rights, responsibilities, and family dynamics.

We assist our clients with the following:

  • Preparation of wills and advance directives such as powers of attorney, health care proxies, living wills, and directives concerning disposition of remains
  • Preparation of revocable and irrevocable trusts, including but not limited to Insurance Trusts, Spousal Lifetime Access Trusts, Qualified Personal Residence Trusts, Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts, Asset Protection Trusts, and Medicaid Qualifying Trusts
  • Probate, Estate Administration, Trust Administration, and Trust and Estate Accountings
  • Representation in Surrogate’s Court proceedings
  • Proper asset structuring to take advantage of tax saving opportunities
  • Retirement plans, distribution calculations, and beneficiary designations
  • Preservation of family assets through generational planning (“generation-skipping”)
  • Gift planning techniques, estate tax and gift tax issues
  • Practice and business succession issues
  • Family limited partnerships/limited liability companies
  • Charitable giving techniques, including charitable trusts and creation of private foundations

Garfunkel Wild’s Trusts,  Estates and Private Client Services team customizes each estate plan to fit clients’ needs based on their own finances, family situation, and personal circumstances. We pride ourselves on staying current with the latest developments in estate, trust, and tax laws, and addressing each client’s personal needs and objectives with sensitivity and expertise.

Practice Group Contacts

Featured Image

Doris L. Martin

Partner/Director
516-393-2205

Team

Featured Image

Bianca DeLeon

Associate
516-393-2281
Featured Image

Eve Green Koopersmith

Of Counsel
516-393-2282
Featured Image

Alan H. Perzley

Of Counsel
201-518-3444
Featured Image

Colleen M. Tarpey

Partner
516-393-2536
Featured Image

Kristen M. Walsh

Senior Attorney
516-393-2207
Featured Image

Madelin T. Zwerling

Partner
516-393-2510

October 31, 2024|Alerts

Changes on the Horizon May Affect Your Estate Plan

Here is an overview of certain estate and gift tax rules currently in effect, the changes on the horizon, and ways you can save estate taxes for your family.

August 16, 2024|Alerts

Back to School Legal Issues

As the summer draws to a close, that fall back-to-school feeling comes back for many of us and it’s an excellent time to put your estate planning in order and see if any updates should be made. Consider the following: Changes to your estate plan may be warranted if, for example, a marriage ended, you […]

June 14, 2024|Events

National Business Institute’s New York Probate Process from Start to Finish

Garfunkel Wild's Kristen Walsh will present the "Inventory and Appraisement" portion at the National Business Institute (NBI) online seminar "New York Probate Process from Start to Finish" on Friday, June 14, 2024.

May 2, 2024|Events

National Health Care Decisions Day: Know Your Choices, Share Your Wishes

Planning for end-of-life medical care and estate planning can be daunting, but failing to put your affairs in order can leave your family with difficult decisions, increased expenses, and outcomes you didn’t intend. Join our webinar as Garfunkel Wild attorneys explain the legal documents every person should have

April 25, 2024|Alerts

FTC Bans Non-Competes Across the Nation

On Tuesday, April 23, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) promulgated a final rule banning most non-compete agreements, in any industry, and is set to become effective 120 days after its publication in the Federal Register (the “Final Rule”).

January 24, 2024|Events

FCMA and HCMA Webinar – Asset Protection Planning for Medical Liability Claims

Garfunkel Wild’s Doris L. Martin, Esq. and Kristen M. Walsh, Esq. will present the webinar Asset Protection Planning for Medical Liability Claims.

December 14, 2023|Events

Year-End Estate Planning Opportunities 2023

Now is a great time to review your estate plan to make sure it reflects your current wishes and takes advantage of wealth transfer opportunities. Our webinar will walk you through the latest tax issues and new developments, and provide guidance on how to best prepare for the months ahead.

December 1, 2023|Alerts

2023 Year-End Estate Planning Opportunities

Estate planning has been challenging in recent years.  Drastic changes were proposed, but not enacted, and a major reduction to the Federal estate tax exemption is scheduled for 2026.  What we do know is that the sooner you act, the more options you have to save estate taxes for your family.  

October 31, 2023|Alerts

Estate Planning Awareness Month: Advance Directives, Explained

This alert discusses Advance Directives, including the Durable Power of Attorney, Health Care Designation, and Living Will, which are essential components of every estate plan.

October 23, 2023|Alerts

Estate Planning Awareness Month: Using Revocable Trusts in Your Estate Plan

In honor of National Estate Planning Awareness Month, Garfunkel Wild, P.C. wants to remind you of the importance of creating and maintaining an estate plan.  Below we provide an overview of the Revocable Trust, an essential part of any estate plan.

July 27, 2023|Events

How To Protect Your Assets and Family Using Trusts

Join Garfunkel Wild's Doris L. Martin and Kristen M. Walsh as she shares how to navigate the often intimidating world of trusts.

July 6, 2023|Publications

The Section 529 College Savings Account: A Gift and Estate Tax Planning Perspective

In this article published in the New York State Bar Associations Health Law Journal (2023 - Vol. 56 - No. 2), Kristen Walsh discusses the Section 529 College Savings Account: A Gift and Estate Tax Planning Perspective.

December 16, 2022|Alerts

2022 Year-End Estate Planning Opportunities

In light of market unpredictability and incoming changes to the gift and estate tax regime, now is a great time to review your estate plan to make sure it reflects your current wishes and takes advantage of wealth transfer opportunities.

March 10, 2022|Alerts

Spring Clean Your Estate Plan

Now is a great time to review your estate plan and make sure it correctly reflects your wishes and allows you to capitalize on wealth transfer opportunities. Consider these recommendations:

June 8, 2021|Alerts

Pending Changes In The Law Will Impact Many Estate Plans

Due to impending estate and economic changes on the horizon, now is the time to review your estate plan to make sure it is in order. Several tax proposals have been introduced that if enacted will significantly increase income, gift, and estate taxes.

May 12, 2021|Publications

Kristen Walsh Co-Authored An Article Published In The New York State Bar Association Perspective

Kristen Walsh, co-authored the article “Estate Planning for the Young Professional,” published in the Spring 2021 New York State Bar Association Perspective.

January 27, 2021|Events

New York State Bar Association Young Lawyers Section: Annual Meeting 2021

Kristen Walsh will present at the New York State Bar Association Young Lawyers Section: Annual Meeting 2021 on January 27, 2021.

April 23, 2020|Events

Garfunkel Wild Webinar – Personal Advance Care Planning in a Pandemic: How can I get my health care proxy, living will, and estate planning documents in order?

Garfunkel Wild’s  Eve Green Koopersmith and Doris L. Martin will present the webinar  “Personal Advance Care Planning in a Pandemic: How can I get my health care proxy, living will and estate planning documents in order” on April 23, 2020.

November 8, 2019|Events

New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) 17th Annual Sophisticated Trusts & Estates Law Institute

Eve Green Koopersmith will present at the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) 17th Annual Sophisticated Trusts & Estates Law Institute on November 8, 2019.

October 21, 2019|Events

New York State Society of Plastic Surgeons (NYSSPS) Annual Membership Meeting

Doris L. Martin presented at the New York State Society of Plastic Surgeons (NYSSPS) Annual Membership Meeting on October 21, 2019

September 25, 2019|Events

Argentum Executive Director Leadership Institute (EDLI)

Eve Green Koopersmith will present at the Argentum Executive Director Leadership Institute (EDLI) on September 25, 2019.

April 16, 2019|Events

Garfunkel Wild Webinar – National Health Care Decisions Day

Garfunkel Wild Webinar – April 16th – National Health Care Decisions Day

March 1, 2019|Publications

Madelin Zwerling has article published in the March 2019 issue of The Medical Society of the State of New York’s News of New York

Madelin Zwerling, Associate in the Personal Services and Estate Planning Practice Group, had her article “Dear Doctors: Are you Sending Your College-Age Children Off With The Proper Legal Documentation in Place?” published in the March 2019 issue of The Medical Society of the State of New York’s News of New York.