Experienced Tax Attorneys


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703-752-3752


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Probate

Effective Legal Representation for Probate Matters

The death of a loved one is emotionally taxing under any circumstances, but when a family’s grief is compounded by the presence of a will contest, trust litigation, unpaid tax liability or other probate issue, the strain can be enormous. At Thorn Law Group, our experienced tax and estate lawyers work to ease our clients’ burdens by offering sound legal advice around the probate and administration of a loved one’s estate. There are decisions to be made, and we are here to offer guidance through the process, drawing upon our years of experience in tax, estate probate and other contested legal matters.

Our firm is staffed by former attorneys for the Internal Revenue Service who have a thorough understanding of the U.S. and state tax and probate laws. Representing clients in probate matters takes more than knowledge and expertise. We appreciate that many factors may impact the decision making process, and not all of them are necessarily financial. There may be a desire to honor the decedent’s wishes, or to resolve a dispute with an heir without resorting to litigation. That is why we work with our clients to find creative and equitable solutions, but we will also enforce their rights when appropriate.

Experienced lawyers for A FULL RANGE OF probate needs

Probate administration brings together many facets of the law – will drafting, estate planning, fiduciary duty, real estate, investment management and taxation. This is why our firm takes a multidisciplinary approach to probate and estate administration matters in order to provide our clients with the highest level of service. When there is a will contest or trust dispute, our experienced attorneys will defend the interests of our clients zealously. In the case of an estate tax liability, we will undertake a thorough review of the auditor’s determination in order to ensure that the estate is not being overtaxed, and we offer representation through the examination, collection and appeals process as necessary.

Another complex area of law arising out of the probate is guardianship. Sometimes a loved one leaves behind a dependent unable to care for themselves. It could be a minor child, an adult child with special needs, or a spouse requiring long-term care or some assistance in managing his or her affairs. When this contingency is expressly provided for in a will, the appointment of a guardian is usually straightforward. Unfortunately, wills are often silent on this issue – perhaps because the decedent expected to outlive the person in need of assistance, or because the topic was too difficult to contemplate. When this occurs, family members can turn upon one another, ostensibly with the best of intentions, seeking to be appointed as guardian. That is where the attorneys of Thorn Law Group can help. We will offer an objective evaluation of the case and outline what legal redress may be available.

Our probate and estate lawyers are also experienced in litigation involving breaches of fiduciary duty. It is not unusual for trustees or those who have been granted powers of attorney to be accused of improper investments, misappropriation of funds, failure to make timely distributions, or even outright fraud and abuse. Often such disputes arise out of a misunderstanding of what the trustee or power of attorney did; other times a disgruntled heir or beneficiary may simply be opportunistic. The probate attorneys at Thorn Law Group can help our clients determine how best to respond to such threatening actions as demand letters, calls for an accounting, and the initiation of legal proceedings.

To learn more about how a estate planning and probate attorney from the Thorn Law Group can help you with your tax and legal issues, contact Kevin E. Thorn, Managing Partner, at ket@thornlawgroup.com, or 703-752-3752.


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