Overview
Trusts and Estate Planning
Ed’s seamless preparation of wills, trusts and other estate planning documents is just one piece of his advisory practice. He serves as personal legal adviser to clients on retirement and business-succession planning issues, and he devises strategic, long-term plans for the management and beneficial transfer of wealth.
Ed crafts sophisticated wills and trusts that establish structured distributions of assets to beneficiaries, conserve assets for minor children and remove personal residences from estates in order to reduce tax incurred in asset transfers. He analyzes complex federal estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer tax issues and manages income tax planning for trusts and estates. In addition, Ed has experience handling:
- Living trusts and insurance trusts
- Grantor-retained annuity trusts
- Delaware trusts
- Special needs trusts
- Charitable trusts
- Qualified domestic trusts
- Asset protection trusts
- Qualified personal residence trusts
- Individual retirement account payable to a qualified terminable interest property trust
Probate and Trust Administration
Ed advises individuals and corporate fiduciaries on probate matters and administers trusts and estates. He counsels fiduciaries extensively on interpreting wills and trusts, as well as post-mortem tax planning and income-tax planning. He also has represented numerous individuals and charitable beneficiaries in will contests, construction of wills and trusts, approvals of accountings, undue influence actions, as well as other probate actions.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Audits
Ed has extensive experience representing individuals and fiduciaries in IRS audits of estate tax and gift tax returns. He negotiates with the IRS and provides an invaluable service to estates in an effort to minimize estate and gift taxes.
Nonprofits and Foundations
Ed counsels charities in planned giving, including consulting with clients, meeting with developmental personnel, establishing foundations, and drafting charitable instruments and seminar presentations.
Faculty Positions
- Fairleigh Dickinson University, Graduate Tax Program — Adjunct Professor, 1994-97
Related Legal Services
Credentials
Bar Admissions
New Jersey
Certifications
Certified Public AccountantEducation
New York University School of Law
LL.M. in Taxation
Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
B.S. in Accounting
Rutgers School of Law - Camden
J.D.
Insights & Events
Leadership & Community
Professional Associations
- American Bar Association — Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section
- New Jersey Bar Association — Taxation Section
Civic Activities
- Mayo Performing Arts Center — Member, Board of Trustees, 2009-present
- New Jersey Independent College Fund — Member, Board of Trustees, 2011-present
Firm Leadership
- Board Member, 2020-21
- Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP — Managing Partner, 2006-10, 2014-16, 2018-20; Regional Partner in Charge, Florham Park Office, 2008-14
Honors
- Best Lawyers® — Trusts and Estates, 2006-25; Litigation - Trusts and Estates, 2011-25
This award is conferred by Best Lawyers. A description of the methodology is available here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
- New Jersey Super Lawyers — 2006, 2010-23
This award is conferred by Thomson Reuters. A description of the selection methodology is available here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
No aspect of these recognitions has been approved by the highest court of any state.