Overview

Mark Balk, a Director and Co-Chair of the firm's Private Client and Trust group, represents individuals and families in a very broad range of matters, focusing on both tax and non-tax considerations, pertaining to the ownership, management and transfer of wealth.  He assists clients in structuring the optimum ownership of family assets throughout lifetime, and the transfer of assets at death.  Mark also works closely with families in developing their charitable giving programs, and in establishing and administering substantial charitable foundations.  In addition, Mark is actively involved in the administration and investment of trusts and estates and in advising non-profit organizations, and also in the provision of family office and financial administration services.

Representative Experience

• Continuous, on-going wealth transfer planning for numerous clients of very substantial means. 
• Planning significant asset transfers where substantial appreciation in value was anticipated, employing Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (“GRATs”) and other techniques (including pre-IPO transfers). 
• Use of so-called “defective grantor trusts.” 
• Advice on sophisticated uses of life insurance in estate planning. 
• Wealth transfer planning for real estate entrepreneurs. 
• Wealth transfer planning for venture capitalists and other private equity principals. 
• Creation of family foundations and guidance to the clients involved regarding the formulation and implementation of family grant-making programs. 
• Financial and legal planning in connection with the sale of family’s interest in a large company.