Michael A. Backer

People usually come to lawyers because they have a problem they cannot resolve on their own. The commitment I make to every one of my clients is that I’ll make their problem my problem, and will then devote all of my skills to resolving that problem as quickly and creatively as possible.

Mr. Backer concentrates his practice in estate planning, estate and trust administration and fiduciary litigation. He brings over forty years of specialized experience to his representation of individuals, owners of closely held businesses, executors, administrators, trustees and beneficiaries. He aggressively manages will disputes, will construction proceedings, accounting and other fiduciary litigation for individuals and New Jersey-based bank trust departments. He advises and implements wealth transfer strategies for high net-worth individuals and the owners of closely-held businesses to help them achieve their estate planning objectives while minimizing their transfer tax liabilities. He counsels individual and corporate fiduciaries on all facets of estate and trust administration, preparation of state and federal death and fiduciary income tax returns, post-mortem tax planning and fiduciary accountings.

Mr. Backer has served as an expert witness and, because of his expertise in the area is frequently engaged to mediate complex, contested estate litigation. He is a draftsperson of significant portions of Title 3B, New Jersey’s Probate Code, including The Prudent Investor Act, which significantly revised the rules governing trust investing, The Revised Uniform Principal and Income Act and subsequent revisions to the Code.