Ms. Caufield represents numerous private individuals of substantial means in connection with estate and tax planning matters, including advice regarding lifetime giving and gift structuring, charitable giving, planning for disability and/or incompetence, and planning using trusts, especially as part of multi-generational estate planning.
Ms. Caufield represents and advises owners of closely held businesses on estate and financial planning, including advice regarding valuation issues.
Ms. Caufield also has represented numerous individual and corporate fiduciaries in contested probate and judicial accounting proceedings; federal and New York estate tax and gift tax valuation proceedings; and proceedings involving federal and New York income taxation of estates, trusts and beneficiaries.
Representative Experience
Represented the estate of a significant American art collector, including the successful conclusion of valuation disputes with the Internal Revenue Service concerning works of art and ongoing advice as to family holdings.Represented the estate of a sole shareholder of a closely held importing and product distribution company, including advice with respect to a plan to utilize partial disclaimers and Code Section 303 stock redemptions to optimize postmortem corporate income tax estate tax planning and analysis of ESOP options to plan for management and ownership succession of the business, while addressing tax and liquidity concerns of the family.
Represented European citizens who were the remaindermen of U.S. trusts, resulting in the implementation of a strategy designed to effect transfer and continued ownership of the trust estate while minimizing transfer and income taxes.
Represented British and American beneficiaries of the estate of a New York decedent in a contested probate proceeding in which the will was executed abroad.
Represented the international estate of a substantial musical box and automata collector, including placement of the collection through the client’s not-for-profit corporation, negotiation of a gift agreement, and continuing oversight of the collection and endowment.
Represented a major U.S. music conservancy in a cy près proceeding involving expansion of restricted endowment use and recipients.
Represented major New York-based charities in contested probate and accounting proceedings.
Represented major New York corporate fiduciaries in disputed proceedings regarding removal of individual trustees.
Represented a major New York corporate trustee in contested accounting proceedings brought by dissident beneficiaries seeking trustee removal and money damages.
Represented a donor of a closely held share in a family company in contested IRS proceedings to value the gift at the company's subsequent and substantially higher sale value with an advantageous outcome for donor.
Represented two major New York banks in connection with the accountings for judicial settlement and termination of common trust funds established pursuant to the New York Banking Law.
Memberships & Associations
Association of the Bar of the City of New YorkNew York State Bar Association, Trusts and Estates Law Section
Professional Activities
The Lutece Foundation, presidentThe Morris Museum, Guinness Collection Committee
Community Activities
NYU Law WomenHonors & Awards
Selected as one of The Best Lawyers in America in the Trusts and Estates and Litigation - Trusts & Estates areas, 2010-2012.Listed in New York "Super Lawyers," 2009-2011.
