Practice Areas
Begin with the issue that best describes your needs. Michael will help you understand how the pieces fit together.
Trust Administration
Practical counsel for a meaningful responsibility.
Trustees are often asked to make important decisions while balancing the terms of a trust, family relationships, and unfamiliar responsibilities. Dubin Law Firm assists with the administration process and the questions that arise along the way.
Counsel is tailored to the trust and the circumstances, whether you are taking on the role for the first time or need guidance during an ongoing administration.
Understanding the trust and your role as trustee
Addressing administration questions and beneficiary concerns
Navigating related property and business matters
Considering options when a disagreement arises
Trust & Probate Litigation
Measured judgment. Focused advocacy.
Disputes involving a trust or estate can affect both financial interests and family relationships. Michael Dubin represents clients in trust litigation and probate litigation, with attention to the particular facts, the documents involved, and the client’s objectives.
The approach begins with a careful evaluation of the disagreement and the available options, so clients can make informed decisions about how to proceed.
Trust disputes and contested administration matters
Probate litigation and estate disputes
Evaluation of issues affecting trustees and beneficiaries
Representation informed by the client’s priorities
Probate
Clear direction during a difficult transition.
Administering an estate can involve unfamiliar procedures at an already demanding time. Dubin Law Firm helps clients understand the probate process, identify the issues that need attention, and work through the administration of an estate.
The firm provides counsel on the legal questions that arise during probate, including matters involving estate property and relationships among those with an interest in the estate.
Understanding the estate administration process
Guidance for the person administering an estate
Addressing questions involving estate assets
Identifying and responding to contested issues
Estate Planning
A plan that reflects the life you have built.
Estate planning starts with understanding what matters to you: the people you want to provide for, the assets you have built, and the wishes you want respected. Michael Dubin helps clients consider the role of Wills, revocable trusts, powers of attorney, and beneficiary planning in a coordinated approach.
The firm also considers the business interests and real estate issues that may affect a long-term plan, helping clients look at their affairs as a whole and keep the plan useful as circumstances change.
Wills and revocable trusts
Financial powers of attorney
Planning around personal and family priorities
Coordinating beneficiary, business, and property considerations
Business & Corporate Matters
Seeing how your business fits into the bigger picture.
Business and corporate interests often form an important part of an estate or a long-term plan. Dubin Law Firm handles related business and corporate issues that arise in connection with trusts, estates, and planning.
By considering these matters alongside the broader trust and estate issues, the firm helps clients understand the connections between their personal affairs and their business interests.
Business interests connected to an estate or trust
Corporate questions arising during administration
Business considerations in long-term planning
Real Estate Matters
Thoughtful attention to an important asset.
Real property can be a significant part of a trust or estate, and it can raise questions during planning, administration, or a dispute. Michael Dubin assists with related real estate matters in the context of the firm’s trusts and estates practice.
The firm considers property issues alongside the governing documents, the administration process, and the client’s broader objectives.
Property matters connected to estate planning
Real estate issues in trust and estate administration
Property questions arising in related disputes
PRACTICAL ANSWERSFAQ & Educational Resources
These general answers offer a helpful starting point. The right approach depends on your documents, assets, role, and circumstances.
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A Will states how certain property should pass after death and names someone to carry out those instructions. A Trust can hold and manage property during life and after death. Assets properly placed in a revocable trust can often be administered without formal probate, while assets controlled only by a Will may require probate depending on the circumstances.
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Begin by reviewing the governing Will or Trust, keeping copies of notices and communications, and asking timely questions about administration and accountings. If information is missing, distributions are delayed without explanation, or a decision may affect your rights, legal advice can help you understand the available options.
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Create a coordinated estate plan, choose trusted decision-makers, review how your assets are titled, and keep beneficiary designations current. A Will, revocable trust, and powers of attorney may each serve a different purpose. Revisit the plan after major changes in your family, health, property, or finances. -
Start by identifying your goals, assets, beneficiaries, and the person who should serve as successor trustee. An attorney can prepare terms suited to your circumstances. After signing, the trust must be properly funded by transferring appropriate assets into it or coordinating them with the plan.
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The first legal steps usually include locating the estate-planning documents, identifying the named trustee or executor, securing property, gathering records, and determining how each asset is owned. A trust administration, probate proceeding, or a simpler transfer process may apply; the answer depends on the assets and planning already in place.
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Take care of immediate family and funeral needs, request certified death certificates, safeguard the person’s home and important papers, and avoid rushing to distribute or retitle assets. If you are named as trustee or executor, get guidance before making decisions that may carry legal or financial responsibilities.
Experienced guidance.
A clearer way forward.
START WITH A CONVERSATION
Speak directly with Michael Dublin about your trust, probate, or estate. matters.