Law Firm Overview

Estate Planning & Administration

The goal of professional estate planning is to ensure that a client's assets transfer to his beneficiaries in as simple & cost effective manner as possible. At the same time, the plan must meet a family's unique and personal needs. Estate planning ranges from simply preparing Wills for a young family to very sophisticated plans using multiple trusts, partnerships and a variety of other techniques.

Administering an estate involves the orderly transfer of assets of death. Often it can be accomplished with minimal or no Probate Court involvement if proper estate planning is done beforehand. I provide all levels of  support in the administration process. This includes simply serving as an advisor to clients wishing to "do it themselves" as well as providing full and complete administration services. When appropriate, I can even serve as Executor to an estate.

In twenty years of practice, I have counseled hundreds of estate planning clients ranging from young families to multimillionaires with complex issues and concerns. Each client receives my personal attention to ensure that his or her needs are met in the most cost effective manner.

Business Law

I offer a wide variety of services to businesses and individuals. This includes counseling clients on the proper business format for their particular needs. At that consultation, the differences between a corporation (S or C), partnership, sole proprietorship, limited liability company, family limited partnership and other vehicles are evaluated for the client.

Business services also include drafting Buy-Sell Agreements and working on business acquisitions and dissolutions.

As a business lawyer, I frequently draft, analyze or negotiate contracts for clients. Time spent on a properly drafted and well understood contract can save a business considerable litigation expense in the future.

Despite the best laid plans, businesses are sometimes faced with conflicts and disputed claims. Frequently, legal intervention early on will avoid more costly litigation expense later. My practical approach to business disputes and sensitivity to a client's bottom line , focuses on the most expedient and cost effective way to meet the client's goal. Sometimes this calls for a swift and aggressive lawsuit. Other times it requires only a letter or phone call to caution or appease the other side.

Fee Policy

Personal and business planning requires a clear understanding of the cost of legal services. Prior to accepting an engagement, I will discuss the nature of the work required and give you a realistic estimate of cost. In certain cases a fixed fee can be quoted or specific pricing alternatives can be arranged.

Fortunately, the lower overhead of a suburban centered law practice allows me to pass along savings in the form of lower rates than an equivalent "downtown" firm.

A new client's first one half (1/2) hour of initial consultation is not billed.

Areas of Practice

• Estate Planning
• Small Business
• Wills
• Business & Commercial Law
• Business Organizations
• Contracts
• Elder Law
• Trusts
• Real Estate Law
• Probate & Estate Administration

West Practice Categories

Business & Commercial Law, Contracts, Business Organizations, Estate Planning, Elder Law, Medicare & Medicaid, Nursing Home, Probate & Estate Administration, Trusts, Wills, Real Estate Law