Practice Areas
Dedicated, knowledgeable, experienced
Hilton & Bishop concentrates its practice in estate planning and probate and trust administration and settlement. This involves an emphasis on tax planning — estate and gift tax, generation-skipping transfer tax, and charitable planning, as well as income tax in the estate and trust area.
Hilton & Bishop attorneys are highly trained and experienced, known for dedication to clients and creative problem-solving. Many of the firm’s clients are high net worth individuals and families and owners of family businesses. Hilton & Bishop attorneys help clients work through complex tax and planning issues.
We offer the following services:
Comprehensive estate planning
Hilton & Bishop attorneys help clients plan for the disposition of assets; structuring an estate plan to fit each client’s particular needs. This includes advice about current law and legal issues as well as help minimizing taxes and maximizing the value of the estate to be passed on to the client’s family and charitable beneficiaries.
Most estate plans include a will, durable power of attorney, health care proxy, and declaration of wishes (living will). Some clients will benefit from a revocable trust or from various types of irrevocable trusts.
Hilton & Bishop attorneys work with clients to determine what type of estate plan best meets their needs, helping clients think through the issues and recommending solutions.
In addition, Hilton & Bishop attorneys stay current with the latest tax information and advise clients how best to achieve their tax planning goals. Hilton & Bishop attorneys help clients arrange their financial affairs and structure transfers of assets to reduce the impact of income, estate, and gift taxes – as well as generation-skipping transfer taxes. Hilton & Bishop attorneys can provide advice on planning, timing, structuring, and carrying out gifts.
Estate administration
Hilton & Bishop attorneys represent clients in front of probate courts throughout the Commonwealth and assist executors in carrying on and completing the estate administration process.
In addition, Hilton & Bishop attorneys are licensed to practice in front of the Internal Revenue Service. The preparation and filing of Massachusetts and federal estate tax returns are important aspects of the estate settlement service provided by the firm to its clients.
Hilton & Bishop helps clients understand the tax laws that apply to their situations. This can include post mortem solutions to vexing transfer tax problems.
Trust administration
Establishing a trust can be an optimal way to preserve wealth and avoid subjecting assets to the probate court after death. Hilton & Bishop attorneys work with clients to establish and administer different kinds of trusts depending on the needs and circumstances of the client, including living (also called revocable) trusts, irrevocable, life insurance, special needs, charitable, and dynasty trusts.
Hilton & Bishop attorneys also help successor trustees with funding issues and with administering and terminating trusts after the death of the trust settlor or grantor. In addition, Hilton & Bishop attorneys are knowledgeable about and advise clients on reducing the negative impact of income tax on estates and trusts.
Charitable planning
For philanthropic clients and clients whose estates can benefit from a charitable deduction, Hilton & Bishop attorneys provide advice as to how to structure charitable gifts. This can include helping clients explore their options, such as establishing a private foundation or a public charity, creating a charitable remainder trust or charitable lead trust.
Planning for families with closely-held businesses
Many Hilton & Bishop clients hold interests in family businesses or other closely-held businesses. Hilton & Bishop attorneys are well-versed in the tax and other implications of corporate structure and can advise clients on the transfer of ownership and management of their businesses. Our attorneys are considered trusted advisors and are often called upon to provide counsel on an array of family business issues.
Strategic advice for businesses and business owners
Hilton & Bishop attorneys advise businesses and their owners on a wide variety of strategic matters at each stage of a business's life. Initial planning involves choice of entity, formation and organization. Hilton & Bishop handles stock transfers, equity investments, restructuring, loans, acquisitions and sales of assets. As businesses mature, we advise clients on succession planning, company sales and buyout agreements. Hilton & Bishop attorneys structure, negotiate and document creative solutions to meet the objectives and particular circumstances of each client.
Approachable, thorough, efficient
Call Hilton & Bishop at 508.540.6303, facsimile 508.540.0993 or contact us online. Our offices are located in the heart of Falmouth and serve clients throughout Barnstable County and greater Massachusetts. We look forward to speaking with you.
