Tax and Trusts & Estates

The intersection of tax law and estate planning is one of the most critical—and often one of the most complex—areas of legal practice. It involves not just drafting wills or filing returns, but implementing carefully coordinated strategies that protect wealth, minimize taxes, and ensure legal clarity across generations. The consequences of improper planning can be significant: families may face unnecessary taxes, costly probate delays, or legal disputes over inheritance and control of assets.

At Scarinci Hollenbeck, our experienced tax attorneys and estate attorneys work side by side to deliver comprehensive legal solutions tailored to each client’s unique financial, familial, and business landscape. We advise individuals and families looking to pass down wealth, business owners preparing for succession, and fiduciaries managing trusts or estates under increasing scrutiny and regulatory oversight.

Our approach is not one-size-fits-all. We recognize that a family with multigenerational wealth requires a different strategy than an entrepreneur transitioning their business to a child, or an aging parent seeking to protect their home from long-term care costs. That’s why our counsel is rooted in deep legal knowledge, strategic planning, and personal attention.

We also bring valuable insight into the realities of modern estate and tax planning. Complex family dynamics, blended families, second marriages, business interests, philanthropic goals, and cross-border assets all demand nuanced planning. Our attorneys stay at the forefront of evolving federal and state tax codes—including recent IRS guidance and legislation—so that our clients benefit from forward-thinking, legally sound advice.

Whether you need to build an estate plan from the ground up, update an existing trust to reflect life changes, respond to an IRS audit, or navigate multi-jurisdictional planning, our team is here to guide you with clarity, integrity, and confidence.

What We Do

At Scarinci Hollenbeck, our Tax, Trusts & Estates Practice offers a full spectrum of legal services designed to safeguard our clients’ assets, reduce liabilities, and preserve legacies. Our services include:

Estate Planning

We assist clients in creating customized estate plans that reflect their personal goals, family circumstances, and long-term intentions. This includes drafting:

• Wills that dictate how assets are distributed upon death
  
• Revocable and irrevocable trusts that allow for greater control, privacy, and tax planning
  
• Advance health care directives and durable powers of attorney to ensure decisions can be made in case of incapacity
  
• Special needs trusts and other tools to protect vulnerable family members
  

Tax Planning and Strategy

Our tax attorneys are skilled in designing wealth transfer strategies that mitigate estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes. We advise on:

• Lifetime gifting strategies
  
• Valuation discounts and family limited partnerships
  
• Charitable giving vehicles such as donor-advised funds and charitable remainder trusts
  
• Income tax planning for trusts and beneficiaries
  

We work closely with financial advisors and CPAs to ensure a coordinated and tax-efficient approach.

Trust Administration

Serving as a trustee involves significant legal responsibilities. We guide individual and institutional trustees through:

• Trust interpretation and administration
  
• Preparing fiduciary income tax returns
  
• Maintaining proper records and accountings
  
• Distributing assets in accordance with trust terms
  
• Addressing beneficiary concerns or disputes
  

Probate and Estate Administration

Probate can be an overwhelming process. Our estate attorneys support executors and administrators by handling:

• Probate filings with the Surrogate’s Court
  
• Notification of heirs and creditors
  
• Inventorying and valuing estate assets
  
• Paying debts and taxes
  
• Distributing remaining assets and closing the estate
  

We ensure all legal obligations are met, reducing risk of errors or disputes.

Business Succession Planning

For clients with closely held or family-owned businesses, we help design smooth transitions of ownership and management. Our services include:

• Buy-sell agreements
  
• Entity restructuring for tax optimization
  
• Integrating succession plans with estate planning documents
  
• Preserving business continuity during incapacity or death
  

IRS & State Tax Controversy Representation

Our tax attorneys defend clients facing tax audits, investigations, and disputes. We handle:

• IRS and New Jersey Division of Taxation audits
  
• Appeals and tax court representation
  
• Installment agreements, offers in compromise, and penalty abatement
  
• Unreported foreign accounts and FATCA/FBAR compliance issues
  

We work to resolve disputes efficiently while protecting our clients’ financial interests.

Charitable Planning and Foundations

We help philanthropic clients make the most of their giving by structuring tax-advantaged charitable vehicles such as:

• Private foundations
  
• Charitable lead and remainder trusts
  
• Endowment strategies for long-term impact
  
• IRS compliance and board governance
  

Asset Protection

Protecting family wealth from lawsuits, creditors, or divorce is a key concern for many clients. Our attorneys build legally sound asset protection structures that do not trigger adverse tax consequences. This may include:

• Domestic asset protection trusts
  
• Limited liability companies and partnerships
  
• Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements
  
• Homestead and retirement account planning
  

Guardianships & Conservatorships

We help families obtain court-authorized control over the personal and financial decisions of loved ones who are no longer capable of managing affairs independently. Our attorneys handle:

• Filing for guardianship or conservatorship
  
• Representing family members in contested matters
  
• Advising court-appointed fiduciaries on legal duties and reporting requirements
  

Multi-Jurisdictional Planning

For clients with international assets or cross-border family dynamics, we coordinate complex estate plans that comply with the laws of multiple jurisdictions. We assist with:

• Foreign trust and entity structuring
  
• Non-citizen spouse planning
  
• Global tax compliance and treaties
  
• Cross-border gifting and inheritance strategies
  

Attorneys

Our team includes seasoned tax attorneys and estate attorneys who have earned reputations for excellence in tax law, estate planning, and fiduciary litigation. Several of our attorneys hold advanced tax degrees (LL.M.) and certifications in estate law, and many are frequent speakers on estate planning and wealth management issues.

Our clients range from individuals with modest estates to families with complex holdings, and from sole proprietors to family offices overseeing multimillion-dollar portfolios. Regardless of the case complexity, we deliver thoughtful, responsive, and forward-looking legal advice tailored to each client’s goals.

At Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC we are committed to providing businesses with the highest level of legal service. Our team of New Jersey, DC, and NYC asset protection attorneys brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success. Here are a few reasons why you should choose us:

• Tailored Solutions: We understand that every business has unique needs and goals. Our services are tailored to meet your business’s specific circumstances, ensuring personalized and effective asset protection plans.
• Comprehensive Approach: Our holistic approach to asset protection planning and wealth preservation ensures that all aspects of your business’s financial situation are considered. We provide integrated solutions that address both immediate and long-term needs.
• Experienced Team: Our attorneys have extensive experience in asset protection and estate planning law. We stay up-to-date with the latest legal developments to provide you with the most current and effective strategies.
• Client-Centered Service: We prioritize our clients’ needs and goals, providing attentive and responsive service. Our attorneys work closely with you to develop strategies that align with your business’s objectives and provide peace of mind.

At Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC, our asset protection planning and wealth preservation services are designed to provide comprehensive protection and peace of mind. Our services include:

• Asset Protection Trusts: Creating domestic and offshore asset protection trusts that provide a high level of security for your business assets. These trusts are structured to protect your business’s wealth from creditors while allowing you to retain control over your business assets.
• Estate Planning: Developing comprehensive estate plans that include wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and health care directives. Our goal is to ensure your business’s estate is managed and distributed according to your business’s wishes, with minimal tax implications.
• Family Limited Partnerships (FLPs): Utilizing FLPs to protect family assets and facilitate the transfer of wealth to future generations. These partnerships offer significant protection from creditors and estate taxes.
• Irrevocable Trusts: Establishing irrevocable trusts that remove assets from your business’s estate, providing protection from creditors and reducing estate taxes. Our NYC asset protection attorneys guide you through the process of creating and managing these trusts.
• Business Entity Formation: Advising on the formation of business entities such as LLCs and corporations to protect personal assets from business liabilities. We help you choose the right structure for your business needs.
• Pre-Marital and Post-Marital Agreements: Drafting agreements that protect individual assets in the event of divorce. These agreements are essential for safeguarding personal wealth and ensuring financial security.

Asset Protection and Wealth Preservation Insights

The legal landscape for asset protection and wealth preservation is continually evolving. Staying informed about the latest developments is crucial for effective planning. Our attorneys at Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC provide thought leadership and insights on key legal issues affecting asset protection and wealth preservation. Here are some of the areas we focus on:

• Evolving Legal Frameworks: As laws and regulations change, staying informed about these developments is essential. We provide updates and analysis on legal changes that impact asset protection and wealth preservation, helping clients adjust their strategies accordingly.
• Tax Implications: Understanding the tax implications of various asset protection strategies is critical. Our asset protection lawyers provide guidance on minimizing tax liabilities while maximizing protection.
• International Considerations: For clients with international assets, navigating the complex landscape of cross-border asset protection is crucial. We provide guidance on international asset protection strategies, ensuring compliance with multiple jurisdictions.
• Trust and Estate Law: The laws governing trusts and estates are complex and continually changing. Our attorneys provide insights and updates on trust and estate law, helping clients develop effective and compliant plans.

Contact Us

Navigating the complexities of asset protection planning and wealth preservation requires a trusted and experienced legal partner. At Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC we are dedicated to helping our clients achieve their financial goals and safeguard their wealth. With our locations in DC, Redbank, New York, and Little Falls, we are here to help you. Whether you are looking to protect your business’s assets from potential threats or preserve your business’s wealth for future generations, our team of asset protection attorneys is here to provide the legal advice you need.

Contact Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC today to learn more about our asset protection planning and wealth preservation services and how we can assist you in achieving financial security and peace of mind. Our attorneys are ready to help you develop robust protection plans that align with your business’s unique needs and goals.