Probate & Trust Administration

The probate and trust administration practice at Berliner Cohen offers the broad expertise of the Firm’s attorneys in all areas of the law to provide the best representation possible for fiduciaries and beneficiaries in administering and effectuating estate plans. Our attorneys listen closely to our clients and always strive to be sensitive to their needs and concerns.

Our attorneys represent trustees and executors in the administration of trusts and estates, including:

Full probate of decedent’s estate, and summary probate where available
Proper administration of trusts, including sub-trust funding, estate tax returns, settlement of account
Gifting programs, including formation of educational and irrevocable trusts
Planning for non-U. S. citizen clients, including the use of qualified domestic trusts
Implementation of living trusts, life insurance trusts and wills
Charitable gift planning and the organization and administration of charitable trusts
Distribution regarding tax planning and tax disputes
Fiduciary accountings
Estate administration questions
Environmental cleanup of properties in trusts or probate estates
Collection and allocation of trust assets
Leasing or sale of real property in trust
Disputes regarding trust assets, terms or liabilities

For more information, please contact Brian L. Shetler at brian.shetler@berliner.com.

Attorneys

Debbie Y. Bae
James P. Cashman
Philip Golden
Alan D. Niebel
Sandra Sepúlveda
Brian L. Shetler
Charles W. Volpe

Articles

“Keeping the Faith: Fiduciary Duties – Forming LLCs to Hold Real Proprerty”
Bequests to Non-Citizen Spouses Taxable Unless Special Trusts (QDOTs) Are Created

News

Berliner Cohen Announces New Managing Partner
Alan Niebel Joins Berliner Cohen Merced Office
Mission Gardens Hosts Presentation on Advance Health Care Directives
Goodwill Silicon Valley Appoints Berliner Cohen Attorney to Board
Berliner Cohen Attorney Elected to Hispanic Foundation Board

Events

Hiring Caregivers: Legal and Financial Considerations