Gerald J. Dunworth

Partner

D (212) 688-5151F (212) 688-8315gjdunworth@gibney.com Connect
Gerald J. Dunworth

Jerry provides trusts and estates and tax-planning advice for individuals, corporations, small businesses, nonresident aliens, persons with special needs and charitable organizations. He designs and implements estate plans to ensure the proper disposition of property while minimizing transfer taxes and creditor risks. He also advises executors and trustees on the administration of estates and trusts and represents fiduciaries in litigation of contested matters. Jerry’s experience in corporate, real estate and commercial law matters enable him to advise clients on business succession planning.

Jerry has developed an active practice using revocable living trusts for clients’ estate plans.  He also represents clients in controversies with the Internal Revenue Service and state and local taxing authorities.

Prior to attending law school, Jerry worked in business and served as an officer in the United States Army.

education

  • New York University, Taxation, L.L.M.
  • Fordham University School of Law, J.D.
  • Niagara University, B.S.

bar admissions

  • New York
  • New Jersey

court admissions

  • U.S. Tax Court
  • New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division

Experience

  • Structuring the transfer of portion of family business in a family limited partnership from the father to the children with minimal gift tax consequences by using a Grantor Retained Income Trust (GRAT)
  • Structuring the transfer of a majority interest in a family business to subsequent generations without gift tax by selling the business to an Intentionally Defective Grantor Trust
  • Representing a surviving spouse in Surrogate Court to protect her interest in a contested estate accounting matter
  • Representing family members in Surrogate Court to obtain information from the executor regarding estate administration
  • Structuring estate plans to enable pension plan benefits to be paid to a trust for the life of the beneficiary
  • Designing “supplemental needs” trusts for children with special needs who are receiving governmental entitlements
  • Drafting and implementing life insurance trusts for a spouse who is not a U.S. citizen so the proceeds would not have to be held in a Qualified Domestic Trust
  • Preparing “income only” trusts to preserve estate assets for children in the event the parent incurs nursing home costs

Community Involvement

  • Chairman of Board of not for profit organization sponsoring summer camps for persons with disabilities
  • Trustee of Palisades Educational Foundation, Inc.
  • Volunteer in charge of YMCA father-daughter organization

Articles, Publications & Lectures

Articles

  • Practical Law Private Client Guide “Executive Transfers to the United States: Planning and Avoiding Pitfalls“
  • Inside the Minds: Strategies for Trusts & Estates in New York “Guiding Trusts and Estates Clients through the Forest of Legal and Societal Changes“

Lectures

  • United Nations employee organization regarding US Estate and Gift Tax rules affecting foreign persons who remain in the US
  • Presenter for national brokerage firms to clients regarding various estate planning issues and topics
  • Presenter at annual conference of medical organization regarding Asset Protection Strategies
  • Lecturer at Children’s Hospital on Tools and Techniques to protect persons with disabilities
  • Lecturer at seminars on benefits of Living Trusts
  • Appearance on cable television show as expert on dealing with conflicts regarding inherited vacation homes

education

  • New York University, Taxation, L.L.M.
  • Fordham University School of Law, J.D.
  • Niagara University, B.S.

bar admissions

  • New York
  • New Jersey

court admissions

  • U.S. Tax Court
  • New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division