Robert A. Mason – Practice Areas

• Elder Law Issues - I consider “Elder Law” to be Estate Planning for clients in different circumstances: they’re older, and that raises many unique issues. Elder law deals with broad issues affecting older clients including estate planning and administration, asset management, retirement benefits, and long term care funding. Like all clients, my clients in this area want to provide for loved ones after they are gone, but they are also faced with immediate issues involving security, control of assets and perhaps diminishing capacity. This is the area of my practice I find most emotionally rewarding.
  

• Estate Planning/Family Business Counseling - I handle all aspects of estate planning for both individuals and couples of modest means to the high net worth family. Counseling often involves corporate and succession planning for family owned/closely held businesses. My experience includes implementation of a wide variety of wealth preservation, tax avoidance and asset protection strategies including family partnerships/LLCs, split-interest trusts, and gifting programs.
  

• Wills and Trusts - Wills and trusts are two of the primary tools used by me in accomplishing client goals. They can be simple, and sometimes they can be exceedingly complex. They can be used to protect assets, pass them to intended beneficiaries, or save taxes. Whatever is called for, I have the skills, knowledge and experience to provide whatever is needed.
  

• Estate Administration - The probate or estate administration process is the legal process by which a person's debts are paid and assets distributed upon his or her death. Often the process is bewildering. Occasionally it is highly complex and involves careful tax planning. Regardless of the size of the estate, we can help.
  

• Probate Disputes - Sometimes, beneficiaries of the estate or other interested individuals wish to dispute the will and prevent the probate from going forward. I have extensive experience helping both fiduciaries and beneficiaries through the difficult process of probate disputes, thereby making certain that the appropriate persons receive the money and assets that they deserve.