trusts, estates & estate planning

trusts, estates & estate planning

PROVEN LEGAL EXPERTISE FOR TRUSTS, ESTATES & ESTATE PLANNING

Fletcher & Mack’s preeminent Trusts, Estates

& Estate Planning attorneys guide clients in

all aspects of planning, administration, and

litigation related to the setup and management

of trusts and estates. With decades of individual

and collective experience, our attorneys are

dedicated to providing clients with the highest

level of responsiveness, professionalism, and

personal service.

Group attorneys offer proven expertise in

estate planning, from simple wills and trusts,

to complex plans utilizing family limited

partnerships, charitable trusts, private

foundations, and other sophisticated estate

reduction techniques. We advise clients in the

administration of trusts and estates of all sizes.

Our litigation attorneys are highly skilled at

handling both simple and complex disputes in

and out of Probate Court.

CUSTOMIZED ESTATE PLANNING

Our Trusts, Estates & Estate Planning attorneys provide

specialized services customized to meet the unique

needs of every client. We advise individuals and

families from all walks of life and in every life stage,

including professionals, entrepreneurs, business

owners and executives, domestic partners, and retirees.

Comprehensive planning services include:

• General Estate Planning

• Income, Estate, Gift, and Generation-Skipping Tax Planning

• Business Succession Planning

• Asset Management Planning (including Real Estate)

• Charitable Gift and Trust Planning

• Retirement Benefits Planning

• Insurance Trust Planning

• International Planning

• Health Care Planning

• Planning for Incapacity

INTERNATIONAL TAX & ESTATE PLANNING

Our attorneys provide international tax and estate

planning services. We offer inbound advice for non-U.S.

residents who plan on transferring assets to the United

States, or purchase property in the United States. We

offer outbound advice for U.S. citizens or residents

who own or are planning to invest in assets outside of

the United States. Our attorneys assist in compliance

with IRS reporting requirements associated with these

assets or transactions and work with local counsel to

resolve international planning issues.

International planning services include:

• Qualified Domestic Trusts

• Foreign Trust Compliance and Reporting

• Mandatory Reporting of Foreign Financial Assets

• Reporting of Certain Transfers from Non-U.S. Residents

• Planning for Foreign Investments in U.S. Real Property

TRUST & ESTATE ADMINISTRATION

Our attorneys are experts at guiding clients through the

complicated administration of an estate or a trust after

the death of a family member, friend, colleague, business

partner, or loved one. We understand trust and estate

administration is often emotionally challenging, and are

committed to providing compassionate and professional

services throughout the administration period.

Our attorneys assist with all aspects of trust

and estate administration including:

• Probate Administration

• Advising Trustees

• Preparation of Accountings

• Preparation of Trust Allocations and Trust Splits

• Preparation of Estate and Gift Tax Returns

• Change of Title to Assets and Real Estate

• Facilitation of Non-Probate Transfers

• Small Estate Administration

LITIGATION — ADVOCACY IN ACTION

Our attorneys are highly skilled in the

representation of clients in all facets of trust

and estate disputes. We successfully represent

beneficiaries, family members trustees,

executors, professional fiduciaries, charitable

organizations, and creditors in disputes such as:

• Will Contests

• Trust Contests

• Estate Administration and Management Disputes

• Conservatorships and Guardianships

• Breach of Fiduciary Duty Claims

• Accounting Controversies

• Trustee Removals

• Tortious Interference with Inheritance Rights

(Undue Influence, Fraud, Negligence)

• Creditor Claims

• Elder Abuse Actions

Founded in 1939, Higgs Fletcher & Mack is San Diego’s

oldest, full-service law firm. We make it our business

to know our clients and their competition, constantly

expanding and evolving in the areas where they have

needs. We look for solutions, focusing on the economics

of our clients’ interests. The firm’s 70+ lawyers are,

individually and collectively, committed to the personal

and professional values that make us exceptional in the

legal services industry.

401 West A Street, Suite 2600San Diego, CA 92101

phone (619) 236.1551fax (619) 696.1410

www.higgslaw.com