Bill is an attorney in the firm's Estate Planning and Probate Practice Group. Bill's approach to estate planning is to focus foremost on the personal, family, and business goals of the client. Bill has experience in advising individuals, families, and business owners in implementing estate planning strategies that combine the goals of the client while minimizing taxes. Bill also advises clients in planning for the succession of family owned businesses and the creation of entities to facilitate the transfer of family wealth. Bill counsels personal representatives and trustees in the administration of estates and trusts. Fiduciaries, such as personal representatives and trustees, are held to a duty of care and must administer an estate or trust in the best interests of the interested parties. Bill advises fiduciaries in all phases of the administration of estates and trusts, including, but not limited to, understanding the probate process and the role of the Probate Court, preparation and filing of the necessary paperwork to open the estate, management and transfer of assets, filing of applicable tax returns, payment of final debts and dealing with claims of creditors, distributions to beneficiaries and heirs, preparation of accountings for interested persons, and, upon completion of the administration process, closing the estate or trust. Bill also represents personal representatives, trustees, beneficiaries and heirs in estate and trust litigation proceedings, including, but not limited to, will contests, trust construction and reformation, fiduciary misconduct, spousal rights, and claims of creditors. In addition, Bill represents clients in establishing guardianships and conservatorships to protect the people that they care about most and who are no longer able to manage their care or finances due to illnesses, disabilities or advancing age.
