Practice Areas

Real Estate Law
Wood & Seward, LLP has a broad-based real estate practice and represent clients in all aspects of real estate transaction and ownership issues. Some examples of the legal services we provide in this area include:

• Real Estate Sales Transactions
• Closings
• Condemnation Matters
• Land Use and Zoning Matters
• Leases
• Easements
• Mortgage-Based Financing Transactions
• Mechanics Liens
• Foreclosures
• Title Issues
• Title Insurance Matters
• Tax-Free Exchanges
• Real Estate Tax Protests.

Estate Planning
Our firm handles a variety of estate planning matters, including planning for the distribution of an individual's property at his or her death and taking into account wills, taxes, insurance, property, and trusts so as to gain the maximum benefit of all laws, while, at the same time, carrying out the person's wishes.

In order to establish a secure and regular income for loved ones left behind, many of our clients seek advice on trust establishment and administration. By maintaining your assets in a trust, you can minimize taxes and leave a larger inheritance. The use of a trust is also advisable as a way to provide a steady income to the beneficiary over the course of time, rather than distribution in a lump sum. This strategy can reduce the beneficiary's tax and allow the trust to grow through investment. Trusts can also be established that allow charitable organizations to benefit.

We can help establish and administer all types of trusts. As with probate laws, each state maintains unique methods to monitor trust administration. As specialists in trust administration, we make it a point to stay current on any and all changes in the law.

• Probate & Estate Administration We also specialize in probate and estate administration. Probate is the legal process by which a person's debts are paid and assets are distributed upon her or his death. Estate Administration includes the probate process as well as non-probate transfers of the deceased's assets. Individual state laws direct the probate court how to distribute the deceased's estate. State laws and procedures vary greatly, so, it is important to consult an attorney with expertise in this area of the law to ensure that the deceased's assets are distributed correctly.
• Elder Law As we get older, many of us are faced with difficult and important decisions regarding our healthcare and our financial well-being. My firm can help you plan for both the present and the future through the use of: wills, trusts, power of attorney forms, living wills, and health care directives.

State, Local & Municipal Law
We practice in the state, local & municipal law area and have expertise with regard to powers and liabilities of state and local government and municipal corporations, including matters such as land use and zoning issues, municipal employment disputes, and injuries to personal or property by municipal employees.

• Education Law We also educational institutions, school districts, or governmental entities in matters relating to areas such as special education, discrimination, student discipline, etc.

Business and Commercial Law
We provide a wide variety of services to business clients including assisting in selecting the type of organizational entity under which to operate, negotiating and preparing business agreements, assisting in the sale and purchase of a business, obtaining financing and funding for business operations, and assisting in dissolution or business succession.

Wood & Seward, LLP
8 Fremont Street
Gloversville, New York 12078-3298
Telephone: 518-725-0653
Fax: 518-725-9875