Complex Estate & Tax Planning
For individuals and families with significant assets, estate planning is rarely a single conversation. It is an ongoing discipline, one that requires a sophisticated understanding of tax law, family dynamics, and the structures best suited to preserving and transferring wealth across generations. Jennifer Civitella Hilario, Esq. works with clients at this level, bringing her experience to every engagement.
Estate Plan Reviews & Updates
Tax law changes. Families change. Assets change. An estate plan that was well-designed ten years ago may no longer reflect your intentions or take advantage of current planning opportunities. Jennifer works with clients to assess what they have, identify what needs to change, and implement updates with precision, often uncovering planning opportunities that existing advisors have not yet addressed.
Gift Planning & Wealth Transfer
Strategic gifting is one of the most effective tools available for reducing estate tax exposure and transferring wealth with “exemption efficiency” during your lifetime. Jennifer advises clients on annual exclusion gifting, larger lifetime transfers, pre-liquidity and leveraged gifting, and the use of trusts and other structures designed to accomplish tax and personal planning goals.
Irrevocable Trusts
Irrevocable trusts, including irrevocable life insurance trusts (ILITs), spousal lifetime access trusts (SLATs), grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATs), and others (the whole estate planning alphabet soup of trusts), are powerful planning tools when used appropriately. Jennifer has extensive experience drafting, funding, and advising clients on the ongoing administration of these structures, and can assess whether an irrevocable trust belongs in your plan and which type is right for your situation.
Charitable Planning
For clients with philanthropic intentions, charitable planning offers a way to support the causes that matter to you while also achieving meaningful tax benefits. Jennifer works with clients to integrate charitable giving into their broader estate plan, including direct bequests, donor-advised funds, charitable remainder trusts, or private foundations.
Business Succession Planning
For clients who own a business, the estate plan and the succession plan are inseparable. Jennifer works alongside clients and their other advisors to ensure that ownership transitions, whether to family members, partners, or third parties, are structured in a way that protects both the business and the family.