Fletcher, Tilton & Whipple administers the region's largest and most respected Trust and Estate Practice with over $400 million of trust assets under the management of our Trust Attorneys. We provide fiduciary services to estates, trusts and individuals with portfolios of every size. We actively manage over 250 trusts, administer more than 130 irrevocable life insurance trusts, and close over 50 taxable estates each year. We also administer the assets of more than a dozen private charitable foundations. Among the many services we provide are the following:

• Collection and Appraisal of Estate Assets
  The Estate & Trust Administration Group helps decedents' families with the collection, preservation, and protection of estate assets. We assist them in preparing an inventory and in determining values of estate property. The firm is experienced in the valuation of closely held businesses and frequently represents estates at audit on this issue.
• Probate Services
  Our attorneys provide complete probate services ranging from the appointment of an executor or administrator to the presentation and allowance of the final accounting. We also present and defend will contests and other interlocutory motions that deal with the disposition of estate property.
• Postmortem Tax Planning
  Our attorneys advise clients on various post mortem tax elections that must be made by surviving spouses. We also consult with beneficiaries regarding options relating to the distribution of assets from qualified retirement plans.
• Administering the Estates
  We arrange for payment of decedent's expenses of last illness, funeral expenses, and the ongoing maintenance of estate property.
• Preparation of Estate Tax Returns
  In addition to preparing and filing estate tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service and the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, we also defend estate values at audits.
• Actively Managed Trusts
  The firm actively manages a variety of trusts. Services include investing, reinvesting, allocating trust assets, collecting income, distributing income and/or principal to the named beneficiaries, and preparing accountings and tax returns. Our trust attorneys comprise the firm's Investment Committee, which meets monthly to review model portfolios with an independent investment management firm. We also work with clients' independent investment advisors, if appropriate.
• Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts
  Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts generally own one or more life insurance policies held for the benefit of a spouse and future generations. The firm's trust department administers these policies to insure that the proceeds pass for the benefit of the spouse and then to the next generation free of estate and gift taxes.
• Income Distribution
  We tailor our asset allocation models to suit the income needs and tax bracket of the beneficiaries, with whom we consult regularly.
• Monthly Reporting
  We produce a variety of monthly, quarterly and annual reports, including monthly valuations of investments and annual reports providing all information necessary for the preparation of fiduciary tax returns at year end.

All securities under our management are insured in full and accounted for through the Depository Trust Corporation (DTC). DTC operates a nationwide electronic custodial and transfer service to which all banks, securities dealers and large trust departments subscribe.