U.S. estate services

Nearly everyone is surprised by how arduous settling an estate can be. And what it takes to handle all the assets properly. It’s not a job you want to leave to loved ones burdened by grief. It’s best left to professionals with the experience, knowledge and resources to support your family.

How we can help with your estate

In whatever way you and your family choose to work with us, we can take care of all or any part of your estate needs as executor. Here’s how:

Estate preparation services

Our team analyzes your will and the nature of your assets. We then confer with family members, attorneys and other interested persons about your will’s provisions. Once authorized to act, we arrange for notice to creditors, beneficiaries, bankers, brokers and other investment advisors, and begin opening the estate account.

Estate administration services

Our team will compile and analyze all of your assets. We inspect the last three years of financial records, identify debts and pay allowable claims against the estate. We are also responsible for preparing tax returns, including estate, income and inheritance taxes, and we address and resolve IRS audits or controversies.

Estate distribution services

As the estate administration progresses, we will be asked at different times to make distributions, including personal property transfers, partial distributions and final distributions. First, we may transfer personal property and fulfill specific bequests to beneficiaries. Once tax returns have been filed and any taxes due paid, we will make partial distributions. Finally, once all returns have been accepted, we will prepare a final accounting of the estate assets and make final distributions.

There are three capacities through which we can serve as steward of your wealth, depending on the level of oversight you seek.

• As sole executor: We take complete responsibility for settlement, administration and estate disposition
• As co-executor: We share responsibility for oversight and administration with other individuals
• As an agent for the executor: An executor hires us to perform administrative duties, but retains the decision-making and ultimate responsibility for the estate

A specialization in illiquid assets

Illiquid assets can come with benefits, but also many complexities. Our dedicated teams have the experience and resources to actively manage your non-traditional assets to help protect your family’s wealth now and preserve your legacy into the future.

Our specialized teams help manage the day-to-day operations and preserve the long-term value of the non-financial assets in your trust or estate across four broad categories:

• Private businesses
• Real estate
• Mineral assets
• Philanthropy and grants management