Wills, Trusts & Estates

Murphy & James, LLC services clients with estate planning and estate and trust administration services. Our attorneys draft wills, trust agreements, living trusts, powers of attorney, and other documents to prepare an estate plan. Among other planning objectives, we assist clients by providing guidance in the following areas:

• Transfer of assets and planning for children and other beneficiaries 
• Maximizing the preservation of the client’s assets
• Reducing potential exposure to taxes
• Assisting the client with charitable giving
• Assisting with business succession planning

When the probate or administration of an estate is necessary, our attorneys prepare the necessary documents for submission to the Surrogate’s Court in New York or New Jersey.  They can also guide and advise the fiduciaries during the probate of an estate or the administration of an estate or trust. They can also prepare and file State and  Federal Estate Tax Returns, Generation-skipping Transfer Tax Returns, and handle Guardianship, Article 81 petitions and related matters.

If conflicts arise involving an estate, the goal of Murphy & James, LLC is to attempt to resolve disputes through negotiation. If negotiation is not successful, our attorneys have extensive litigation experience to engage in litigation to handle conflicts between beneficiaries, handling construction proceedings, defending and advancing will contests and related proceedings.