Ms. Mason provides the full range of estate and tax planning services for an entrepreneurial and international clientele, including advice regarding the valuation of businesses and other assets; disposition of retirement benefits and insurance policies; charitable giving; lifetime gifts; and family limited partnerships, GRATs, and will and trust provisions to maximize the use of estate, gift and generation-skipping tax credits and exemptions. She also administers trusts and estates, including income tax planning for distributions; valuation of assets; sales of real estate, jewelry and works of art; and preparation of estate, gift and income tax returns.
Ms. Mason represents individuals and fiduciaries in estate and gift tax audits before the Internal Revenue Service addressing such issues as the valuation of art collections, closely held businesses and other assets.
Ms. Mason advises foundations and other charities with respect to the tax consequences of grant programs, corporate and trust law, income and excise tax issues, and the applicability of the unrelated business income tax to investments. She serves as general counsel to arts and education organizations and provides administrative services to family foundations. She also creates private foundations and public charities, including supporting organizations for foreign charities.
In addition, Ms. Mason drafts and negotiates prenuptial and separation agreements. She also represents individuals and non-profit organizations in the purchase and sale of residential real estate.
Representative Experience
Represented the executor in an estate tax appeal concerning the valuation of a ground lease subject to a restrictive operating agreement.Advising the trustees of charitable trusts created by the widow of well-known artist on trust and tax issues.
Advised a private foundation regarding the disposition of a major collection of musical boxes and automata to a museum.
Representing a New York bank in judicial accounting proceedings for its common trust funds.
Advised the U.S. executor of a foreign decedent with respect to liabilities for estate, gift and income taxes; estate taxation of partnership interests; and the transfer of property to foreign individuals.
Memberships & Associations
Association of the Bar of the City of New YorkNew York State Bar Association, Trust and Estates Section
Professional Activities
E.H.A. Foundation, director and secretaryCommunity Activities
The Center for Arts Education, Inc., director, secretary and treasurerThe Elaine Kaufman Cultural Center, director
