Paul’s career as a wills, trusts, and estates lawyer spans more than 30 years, where he represents high-net-worth individuals with legal matters involving their estate planning, probate, trust administration, and estate and gift tax issues.
Paul’s legal expertise is complemented by his career in the finance industry and previous experience as a Certified Public Accountant. Prior to joining Hodgson Russ, he served as a Senior Vice President and Wealth Planner at Citi Private Bank in West Palm Beach, Florida and at Wells Fargo Private Bank in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. His professional career began as a Certified Public Accountant.
Due to the depth of his expertise, Paul is a frequent speaker on trusts and estates topics at our firm’s annual Florida Residency Series. Throughout his career, he has also given presentations and seminars at the request of other professional organizations. Paul is admitted to practice in Florida, is Florida Board-certified in Wills, Trusts and Estates and holds a Florida CPA license.
Legacy/Estate Planning
The ultimate goal of legacy planning is to build, protect and transfer wealth. Paul develops and structures bespoke and “right sized” estate plans designed to maintain family harmony, avoid conflicts among the estate beneficiaries and assure that the charitable, personal and financial wishes of the decedent are fulfilled. Paul approaches legacy planning as a holistic effort and often works in conjunction with the client’s financial advisors, CPA’s and other professionals in order to develop the estate plan that will best assure fulfillment of the decedent’s wishes.
Multi-State Planning
Paul counsels clients who may have assets and property located in multiple jurisdictions. He assesses and reviews the statutory structure in other jurisdictions, working with other lawyers in those jurisdictions to ensure that any legacy plan successfully transfers to the intended beneficiaries assets and property located in different states.
Family Business Succession Planning
Family businesses present unique legal needs. Legal expertise is needed to maintain stability and unity among family members so as to assure the ongoing vitality of the family as well as the continued viability of the business entity. Paul develops applicable succession strategies, manages execution of the plan and devises methods to address changes effectively.
Prenuptial and Post Nuptial Agreements
Effective estate planning strategies will include consideration of the marital status of the parties involved. Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements are effective tools which can be used to address crucial issues that might come up later when life changes (death or divorce) trigger the need for legal advice regarding estate administration or the division of assets upon divorce. Paul provides legal advice regarding the structure and contents of such agreements so as to minimize or avoid any estate issues that may arise later on and to assure that any pre-existing contractual obligations do not impede the ability to fulfill the decedent’s wishes.
Estate and Gift Taxes
Taxes play a large part in the administration of a decedent’s estate. Paul provides legal advice and guidance to clients so as to assure fulfillment of the decedent’s wishes while minimizing the income tax and estate tax consequences that may be incurred as a result of the transfer of property. Paul’s legal expertise is complemented by eight years’ previous experience in the finance industry as well as a previous career as a certified public accountant.
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