Estate Planning & Administration

Pavia & Harcourt has practiced for many years in virtually all areas of estate planning and estate administration.

We are particularly experienced in assisting clients with assets and/ or residences in more than one country. Many of our attorneys speak several languages which is vital in the servicing of foreign clients as is a thorough knowledge of the estate tax treaties between the U.S. and various foreign countries. We are experienced in all areas of taxation, including income gift, estate, and generation-skipping transfer taxes. Our estate plans may involve the formation of charitable and non-charitable trusts and/or the use of structures formed in low-tax jurisdictions, which can provide overall tax benefits and extra protection for clients seeking to safeguard their wealth

In the administration of decedents’ estates, our firm represents executors, trustees and beneficiaries and is experienced in estate litigation, including contested probate and accounting proceedings. Where appropriate, our attorneys serve as executors and trustees, providing efficient and comprehensive management. The firm has represented the Government of Italy through its Consulate General at New York for over fifty years, assisting in the protection of Italian nationals in U.S. estates. We also act as counsel to various agencies of the Italian Government in New York. An important component of our practice concerns charitable organizations; we advise individual donors, and reorganize and represent private foundations and other charitable organizations.