Ira E. Berliner
Estate Planning & Trusts Attorney
Ira Berliner is an estate planning and trusts attorney licensed to practice in New York, New Jersey and Florida. He has received the highest possible rating of “AV” from Martindale-Hubbell, a firm that has been rating lawyers for over a century for both legal ability and adherence to ethical standards, based on confidential peer review.
Ira started his private practice in 1983 and represents clients with wide ranges of net worth and a variety of backgrounds.
“Working with my clients is so rewarding,” Ira reflects, “because I meet such a variety of people from all walks of life, and my work benefits their entire family.”
Ira emphasizes the benefits of starting early with estate planning and trusts.
“Most people think they should wait until they are ‘wealthy’ before preparing an estate plan,” Ira states, “but this can be a mistake. I help people see that the value of what they own has little to do with the size of the headache left behind if no planning is done. So it’s not only the client that benefits, but their entire family, and I enjoy seeing that positive impact take shape.”
He also understands first-hand the difficulties posed by each client’s personal situation, such as divorce or custody issues.
“When someone is going through a divorce,” Ira recognizes, “they look forward to some closure and having it all wind down. I understand that, having experienced a difficult divorce myself.”
Many individuals have already changed their will upon separation, however the biggest financial impact is in the estate taxes, which prior to a divorce must only be paid when the second spouse dies.
“Once you are single again, estate tax will apply immediately when you pass, so that must be taken into account right away,” advises Ira.
For many clients, the last thing they want to think about is more legal work once a divorce is finalized. “That’s why I help clients through the process of establishing their first estate plan, or replacing previous estate plan documents, without all the legal maneuvering they may have just come through. One client referred to our interaction as ‘a kinder, gentler legal experience’.”
Background
Ira Berliner is an active speaker and presenter on estate planning and tax related topics, appearing before diverse audiences including groups of attorneys, CPAs, and financial professionals.
Before beginning his private practice Ira was a partner in the New York City office of Halperin, Morris, Grannet & Cowan. Ira holds a degree in History and Political Science from New York University and received his law degree from The Brooklyn Law School. He also earned a Masters Degree (LLM) from New York University School of Law.
Ira Berliner’s admissions and memberships include:
- American Bar Association - Estates & Trusts section; Elder Law section
- New York State Bar Association, - Estates & Trusts section; Elder Law section
- The New Jersey Bar Association - Estates & Trusts section; Elder Law section
- Florida Bar - Estates & Trusts section; Elder Law section
- Westchester County Bar Association - Estates & Trusts section; Elder Law section
- The Bergen County Bar Association - Estates & Trusts section; Elder Law section
- Member - Board of Directors, and President of the Silliman Education Fund
- Volunteer Firefighter – Purchase, New York Fire Department
Ira really helped me gain closure after my divorce by reworking my estate. The platitude to relax and ‘just let it go’ so you can get through a divorce looks good on paper, but then emotions get involved, and it can be gut wrenching.
Working with Ira to look forward from this point and decide what happens next allowed me to move on. He helped me think through my priorities, and I appreciate that.”
D.H.
New York