Wills, Trusts, and Estates

Preparing for our own passing can be emotionally draining and financially complex. Yet estate management is critically important if we want our wishes to become reality. Let Giffen be your support system. By listening carefully and collaborating as a team, we create solutions to a wide variety of needs and issues. We help individuals, family offices and business clients in the full range of legal services related to wills, trusts and estates:

Estate Planning

We assist you through the entire process of arranging for the management of your estate, during your lifetime and after death. This involves creating legal documents to ensure that your assets will be distributed according to your wishes, while minimizing taxes and legal complications.

Wills, including multiple Wills for reducing Estate Administration Tax

Your will is your key legal document that directs how your assets should be distributed after death. Multiple wills can be used to separate assets that are subject to estate taxes from those that are not, which can help reduce overall tax liability.

Powers of Attorney for Property and Personal Care (POA)

These important legal documents assign and authorize a specific person or persons to make financial or healthcare decisions on your behalf of another you become incapable of making such decisions. The POA for property covers financial matters, while the POA for personal care addresses healthcare decisions.

Family Trusts

Trusts are reliable legal arrangements whereby assets are held by trustees for the benefit of loved ones. Trusts can be used for tax planning and asset protection, and they can also help ensure long-term financial support for beneficiaries. 

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Alter Ego and Joint Partner Trusts

These are special trusts for individuals of a certain age, allowing them to transfer assets while maintaining control and potentially reducing probate fees. Alter ego trusts are for individuals, while joint partner trusts are for couples.

Insurance and Pension Benefit Trusts

These trusts are designed to receive and manage insurance proceeds or pension benefits for beneficiaries. They can provide tax advantages and ensure proper asset distribution.​

Estate Administration

It is overwhelming for most people to manage and settle a deceased person's estate, including collection of assets, payment of debts and taxes, and distribution of remaining assets to beneficiaries. Giffen lawyers frequently carry out this process as the executor named in a client’s will, or as a court-appointed administrator.

Estate Litigation 

At Giffen Lawyers, our emphasis is on helping people through difficult family situations such as estate litigation. Our focus is to guide our clients to practical and effective solutions. Learn more about our Estate Litigation services here.