Wills, Trusts, Estate Administration and Litigation

At Lewis Gianola, we provide trusted and comprehensive legal counsel in all aspects of estate planning, wealth transfer, and estate and trust administration. Our Wills, Trusts, and Estate Administration practice is focused on helping individuals, families, fiduciaries, and beneficiaries preserve assets, minimize tax exposure, and carry out testamentary intentions with clarity and legal precision.

We offer tailored guidance to meet each client’s personal, financial, and philanthropic goals—whether drafting a straightforward will or administering a complex, multijurisdictional estate.

At Lewis Gianola

Estate Planning

We work closely with clients to develop individualized estate plans that reflect their unique circumstances and objectives. Our services include:

  • Wills and Revocable Living Trusts
    Preparing wills, revocable trusts, and related documents to facilitate the orderly disposition of assets, protect beneficiaries, and avoid unnecessary probate proceedings.
  • Irrevocable Trusts and Advanced Planning
    Structuring irrevocable trusts for tax planning, charitable giving, asset protection, special needs planning, and wealth preservation across generations.
  • Powers of Attorney and Advance Directives
    Drafting financial powers of attorney, health care proxies, and living wills to ensure clients’ wishes are respected in the event of incapacity.
  • Tax Planning and Wealth Transfer Strategies
    Advising on federal and state estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax implications; structuring tax-efficient gifting, family limited partnerships, and other planning vehicles.
  • Medicaid Planning
    Protecting and preserving assets in preparation for long-term care and qualification for Medicaid.
  • Business Succession Planning
    Analyzing succession strategies for all types of businesses to retain key employees and ensure viability of management structure.

Trust and Estate Administration

Our attorneys represent executors, individual and corporate trustees, administrators, and beneficiaries in the administration of estates and trusts. Our services include:

  • Probate and Estate Administration
    Guiding fiduciaries through the probate process, including asset marshaling, valuation, debt resolution, tax filings, and final distribution in compliance with applicable laws.
  • Trust Administration
    Advising trustees on fiduciary duties, trust funding, accounting, beneficiary communications, and compliance with governing instruments and applicable statutes.
  • Contested Estates and Fiduciary Litigation
    Representing fiduciaries and beneficiaries in will contests, trust disputes, claims of undue influence or incapacity, and breach of fiduciary duty actions.
  • Post-Mortem Tax Planning
    Identifying tax-saving opportunities and handling estate tax returns, disclaimers, elections, and related compliance matters following a death.

A Thoughtful and Disciplined Approach

Our estate planning and administration practice is defined by discretion, attention to detail, and a commitment to long-term client relationships. We recognize the sensitive nature of these matters and bring both technical skill and sound judgment to each engagement. Whether planning for the future or managing the administration of an estate, we provide legal guidance that is both comprehensive and personal.

Our Attorneys

Get Experienced Regulatory Counsel Today

Lewis Gianola offers the experience, responsiveness, and strategic focus needed to manage compliance risks and protect your professional or business interests. Contact us online, or at our Charleston office at (304) 345-2000 or our Morgantown office at (304) 291-6300 to schedule a consultation. 

Let us help you stay compliant, avoid penalties, and move forward with confidence.