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Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Information

As an executive, family business owner, real estate investor or other professional, and whether you are currently working or retired, you have worked hard to build your personal wealth and perhaps the value of your business and investments.  However, without the proper planning, many of the assets you have succeeded in acquiring can be taken away or taxed more heavily than necessary. 

In many cases, unprepared heirs can lose asset value simply because they do not yet have the advice and tools that they need or they lack the structures to protect them from litigation or a failed marriage. By preparing for future unforeseen events, you can protect your wealth, your lifestyle, your heirs and estate. 

And, through a process known as Enhanced Estate Planning (TM) you can make sure that your heirs do not lose your advice, wisdom, and family values that are essential to future generations success but might otherwise be lost if you pass away.  So whether you need a simple will or more complicated planning techniques such as an Irrevocable Trust, or a GRAT, what you probably want more than anything else is for someone to guide you through the process in a clear, easy, and effective way. That is what we do.  And we also help you to protect assets, and to minimize or avoid estate and inheritance taxes

WORRIED ABOUT DEATH TAXES?

Every year, millions of dollars are spent on federal estate tax, according to published figures from the Internal Revenue Service.  But many of these taxes are incurred by families that just do not know the strategies to legally minimize or avoid such taxes and the similar taxes and probate fees imposed by many states.  Yes, there are ways to minimize the amount paid for estate tax and generation skipping transfer tax, which will help eliminate the burden placed on heirs and estate owners.  Furthermore, many inheritances, after depletion by such taxes and related costs, are then lost in personal or business litigation or in divorces. 

CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS TO AN INHERITANCE IF AN HEIR GETS DIVORCED?

According to the National Marriage Project, the most recent data shows that the probability that a first marriage will end in divorce or separation is 40 to 50 percent.  And, each year many frivolous as well as potentially successful lawsuits are filed against people just like you.  However, just as there are strategies and techniques to minimize taxation, there are equally powerful tools for protecting heirs from divorces, as well as such creditor claims and lawsuits against them. Beneficiary controlled trusts, and other asset protection trusts and tools can be used now or established under your will to give your children and grandchildren not only tax protection but also a higher level of protection for lawsuits and divorce. For more information about these topics browse the list of blog topics and articles just to the left of this screen.

David M. Frees, III, is an experienced Pennsylvania will and trust attorney. His practice focuses on estate planning, trusts and estate administration with an emphasis on asset protection trusts and the process of passing on a family's values, and knowledge about finances, investment, business, education, and other topics of importance to your family.  His practice also focuses on the preparation of estate plans and asset protection planning that often use wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and medical powers and directives. 


David Frees currently is Chairman of the Trust, Estates, and Wealth Preservation Section of the firm Unruh, Turner, Burke and Frees. 

CONCERNED ABOUT FAMILY DISPUTES AND HAVING A VALID PLAN?

He has written books and had articles, chapters, and essays included in several books and publications including, The Language of Parenting: Building Great Family Relationships At All Ages, Einstein’s Business, Dream, Inc. and The Ultimate Success Secret.  His articles and related publications include programs on Avoiding The Ten Top Mistakes of Executors, and he has authored over ten years of articles covering such issues as family vacation homes, perpetuating family businesses and perpetuating executive wealth.

He has also developed a proprietary process, Enhanced Estate Planning™ that allows you as a single or married person, as parents or grandparent to carefully and strategically plan your estate, to educate the next generation, and to protect assets from claims.

He has helped thousands of individuals with the following matters:

• Administering Estates and Trusts
• Avoiding or Dealing with Probate and Executors Fees and Duties
• Estate Planning with Wills, Trusts, and Related Tools and Strategies
• Divorce Protection for Your Heirs, Children and Grandchildren
• Private Charitable Foundations
• Family Foundation(s) and Donor Advised Funds
• Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRAT)
• Qualified Terminable Interest Property (QTIP)
• Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT)
• Qualified Personal Residence Trust (QPRT or QPERT)
• Asset Protection Planning of Many Types

Many of the clients that approach David Frees are surprised to find that the process of estate planning and asset protection can be incredibly interesting and some have described it as "fun" and as "fulfilling."  Through the knowledge that Mr. Frees provides, clients are able to implement planning strategies from one generation to the next.  Mr. Frees takes pride in his strong and lasting relationships with his clients and has worked with some families for three generations.  Contact Mr. Frees' assitants at (610) 933-8069 to see if you qualify for a free consultation.

Have a legal need other than a will, trust, or estate?  David Frees will make sure that you get the best representation either within the firm or by referral to other counsel.  However, David Frees and the lawyers in his section, offer personal representation in the following areas:

Asset Protection

Building your net worth can take years and it is crucial that you take precautionary steps to protect your assets.  Asset protection provides additional security against creditors, claims, lawsuits and exposure to personal or business liability.  There are many techniques available to protect your property and assets.  These methods for asset protection are generally only successful if done properly.  A knowledgeable Pennsylvania asset protection lawyer, such as David Frees, can help you with your asset protection plan.  David Frees is also often assisted by his lawyers and partners in the business section of the firm who can assist you with related corporate and business organizational issues.

Estate and Inheritance Tax Planning

Both the federal estate tax and generation skipping transfer tax laws are constantly changing.  And, many states change their laws as well. Tax planning is an essential tool to help preserve an estate.  Even if you have determined how the estate assets are to be distributed, without estate tax planning, the assets and properties left to your heirs and beneficiaries can be greatly impacted.  David Frees helps individuals reduce their tax liability and also assists clients with the filing of Federal Estate and Gift Tax Returns and Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax Returns.  He works closely with his clients’ tax advisors, in order to help executors and trustees prepare their fiduciary income tax returns.

Protecting Heirs from Divorce and Litigation

For most estate owners, protecting their children and grandchildren from possible divorce litigation and creditor’s claims is a top priority.  They do not want to leave their loved ones vulnerable to a claim to the assets they inherit.  This goal can be accomplished through estate planning.  Likewise, if you are expecting an inheritance, you may want to protect yourself from these types of divorce and creditor risks. David Frees helps his clients protect their heirs through the use of various legal techniques and strategies.

Wills and Trusts

A legal will is designed to let your intentions be known and usually includes the entire estate.  To avoid potential disputes among beneficiaries, a will should be carefully drafted by a Pennsylvania wills attorney.  A trust is also an essential estate planning tool that will detail how the estate will be distributed.  Through the use of a trust, you have the ability to decide which beneficiaries are to receive certain assets and how these assets will be given.  David Frees specializes in helping clients with their wills and trusts and prepares these documents based on each individual circumstance.

Executor, Trustees and Probate

Administering an estate can be an overwhelming responsibility, especially when problems arise.  David Frees provides assistance to executors and trustees, to help ensure an effortless transfer of assets.  When complications arise, Mr. Frees offers his expertise to limit liability exposure to beneficiaries and creditors and can successfully administer wills and trusts in probate court.  Whenever possible, he will help to resolve or close estate and trust administrations through informal family settlement agreements or if necessary, through the court accounting process.

Contact David Frees at whose practice focuses on estate planning wills, trusts, and asset protection (610) 933-8069 for advice regarding your wealth, estate or assset protection planning.  He is a trust and will lawyer who represents thousands of clients in Philadelphia, Chester County, Montgomery County, Delaware County and Lancaster County and many clients from communities such as: Berwyn, Devon, Paoli, Exton, Phoenixville, West Chester, Malvern, Chester Springs, Ardmore, Gladwyn, Exton, Downingtown and surrounding areas.

Business Exit Planning & Succession

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Local News and Information

Visit this area for news, listings, links and information about our fiv county area.  These news stories, alerts and pres releases can help you to  find and enjoy everything from local events and resturants to safety news and information.  And, if you or your organization have a news story or press relaes that might be of interest to our readers please send your release to; dfrees@utbf.com ad be sure to include relevant dates, phone numbers, and links and contact information.

Selected stories and news releases are published to help our clients, friends and members of the UTBF family living in and around the Main Line, Philadelphia and in Chester County, Montgomery County, Delaware County, and in Berks, Bucks and Lancaster Counties.

You can also reach our client relations manager at 610-933-8069.

Mediation For Estates and Trusts

David Frees offers mediation and  alternative dispute resolution for Executors, Trustees, and Beneficiaries interested in quickly, fairly, and economically resolving disputes over wills, trusts, and estates. David M. Frees has over 24 years of experience in estate and trust administration and in resolving the problems and competing claims of executors, trustees and beneficiaries.

Mediation can often save family relationships, time, and considerable expense associated with litigating family will disputes.

Mr Frees also helps to train some of the most successful and accomplished mediators in Pennsylvania and began his own training in mediation and alternative dispute resolution while a student at the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

The System For Protecting Your Assets for Your Self and Your Heirs

Estate planning for families, executives, and business owners. A proven and effective system for preserving family wealth, assets, and your family values and business, investing and other knowledge that might be lost. This system also avoids family disputes and focuses on the traditional goals of wealth preservation and tax savings as well as asset protection and protecting heirs from law suits and divorce. The best will, trust and estates lawyers in Chester County and Montgomery County Pennsylvania are focused on creating customized plans that do exactly what you need and want.

Asset Protection

Your business and assets can be at risk if you do not have an Pennsylvania asset protection plan in place. David M. Frees, III, an experienced Pennsylvania asset protection lawyer, works with individuals who are looking for sophisticated asset protection in Chester County and Montgomery County and in suburban Philadelphia. He limits his practice to Pennsylvania asset protection, estate planning, estate administration, representing executors, tax planning, wills and trusts. Contact Mr. Frees today at (610) 933-8069 for legal advice regarding protecting your assets.

Estate and Inheritance Tax Planning

Excessive estate and inheritance tax can significantly deplete the amount of money left to your heirs. There are many strategies available that will help reduce the tax liability of your beneficiaries. David M. Frees, III, a knowledgeable Pennsylvania estate tax planning lawyer, has over 23 years of experience and can assist you with estate and inheritance tax planning. Contact Mr. Frees today at (610) 933-8069 for legal advice regarding your estate.

Protecting Heirs from Divorce and Litigation

Protecting children and grandchildren from possible divorce litigation, judgments and other claims is usually a top priority for estate owners. There are strategies and legal techniques available that can protect an inheritance. If you are an estate owner or if you are expecting an inheritance, contact David M. Frees, III, an experienced estate planning attorney, at (610) 933-8069.

Wills and Trusts

A legal will is designed to let your intentions be known and usually includes the entire estate. To avoid potential disputes among beneficiaries, a will should be carefully drafted by a Pennsylvania wills attorney. A trust is also an essential estate planning tool that will detail how the estate will be distributed. Through the use of a trust, you have the ability to decide which beneficiaries are to receive certain assets and how these assets will be given. David Frees specializes in helping clients with their wills and trusts and prepares these documents based on each individual circumstance.

Executor, Trustees and Probate

Executors and trustees face an immense responsibility. Probate, trusts and estate administration can be complex. David M. Frees, III is an experienced Pennsylvania probate attorney who can help ensure that an estate is properly distributed. Contact Mr. Frees today at (610) 933-8069.

Elder Law Trusts, Contracts, Checklists and Solutions

We now have a new site specifically designed and created for families and individuals facing nursing home care, elder abuse or neglect cases, and estate planning for the elderly.

To visit the site and download any number of our free reports on protecting your home from nursing home spending, how to use trusts in elder law planning, and on many related topics click: www.PaElderLawSolutions.com or www.PaElderlawSolutions.com/reports. 

Ideas and Information That Make Life Better

David M. Frees III is not just your lawyer. He is a speaker, author, and according to Elite books, one of the fifty most influential thinkers about business today. David has been traveling the globe for business and personal pleasure alone, with his wife, and with his family since he was very young. Now David brings you ideas and information to help to make your travel, your health, your business and personal life even better. These ideas, tools, resources and products range from communications skills to business tools, to travel, sports, and technology. Enjoy!

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David M. Frees III, Esquire has been named as the Main Line Today Magazine Top Lawyer in the Trusts and Estate area.  He has also been awarded the title of Pennsylvania Super Lawyer in Philadelphia Magazine. David Frees focuses his practice in the areas of trust and estate planning, probate, asset protection and related topics.  David's firm also has an Elder Law section providing services to families and individuals trying to protect assets from nursing home expenditures and the issues facing the elderly. David can be reached at 610-933-8069 for a personal or telephone consultation to update a will, trust, or comprehensive estate plan.  He always quotes a flat fee for such estate planning services and you will recieve a complimentary consultation by mentioning this blog. dfrees@utbf.com Note: There are no recognized specialties under Pennsylvania law.  Furthermore, while David has been named as a Top Lawyer and Super Lawyer, these titles are not recognized under Pennsylvania law.  However, David does emphasize trusts, estate, and related topics in his practice.

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