Matthew Berlin focuses his practice on all aspects of estate planning, trust administration and related tax matters, including FATCA compliance and offshore informational reporting.  Matthew’s clients consist of individuals and families living throughout the U.S. and abroad, as well as the offshore and onshore entities they create or control to manage and pass on wealth.

Matthew advises on buy-sell agreements, insurance trusts, irrevocable defective grantor trusts, installment sales, charitable lead and remainder trusts, Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (Walton GRATS), Qualified Personal Residence Trusts, and related techniques to reduce taxation and to ensure continuity in business planning and family control.

As a fiduciary for scores of trusts, estates and charitable foundations, Matthew has extensive experience managing and administering assets, including disposition of or investment in commercial and residential real estate, fine art, intellectual property and marketable securities. He provides legal counsel and representation in all phases of trust and estate administration and related tax reporting.

As a family and property lawyer, Matthew develops and drafts prenuptial agreements, co-tenancy agreements and domestic and business partnership agreements. He advises concerning the retention and disposition of family property, jointly acquired real estate and other joint enterprises involving the equitable division or shared use of property interests. Part of his practice also entails creation of conservation restrictions and agricultural easements to promote the conservation or preservation of rural agrarian traditions while reducing property and estate tax exposure and ensuring continued family ownership.

Matthew’s probate practice includes litigation services in connection with proof of wills, reform and interpretation of testamentary and trust instruments, and undue influence or incompetency.

Additionally, Matthew is President Emeritus of DeSoto Securities Company, a privately held company in Chicago, IL established in 1923.  The Company operates a portfolio of securities for the benefit of a distinguished, high-net worth family.