Practice:
Bar Admissions:
Massachusetts
U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
Experience:
Mr. Cohen concentrates his practice in estate planning, trust law, and estate administration. He advises clients in planning the disposition of their own estates as well as those who are serving as fiduciaries or are beneficiaries. He has extensive experience with transfer tax issues and expertise in the related estate planning techniques used to minimize such taxes, as well as all aspects of probate and related fiduciary practices.
Clifford Cohen has lectured on estate planning and administration to both general and professional audiences. He has chaired and appeared as a panelist in Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education seminars. He is a contributing author to the MCLE publication A Practical Guide to Estate Planning in Massachusetts.
Memberships:
- American Bar Association
- Boston Bar Association
- Boston Probate & Estate Planning Forum, Moderator (2011-2012), Program Chair (2010-2011)
- Massachusetts Bar Association
Education:
- J.D., Northeastern University School of Law, 1989
- B.A., magna cum laude, Hofstra University, 1975
Awards:
- Mr. Cohen was selected for inclusion in Massachusetts Super Lawyers® (2004). Super Lawyers and Rising Stars employ an annual jurisdictional selection process. Only five percent of lawyers in the state were selected to the Super Lawyers list and 2.5 percent to the Rising Stars list. The listing appears annually in the November issue of Boston magazine and in New England Super Lawyers.
Quotes:
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6/29/2012, Boston Business Journal - Checked out but still logged on
Clifford Cohen was quoted in this article by Lisa van der Pool.
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3/19/2010, Boston Business Journal - Troubled economy boosts lawyers' estate work
Clifford Cohen was quoted in this article by Lisa Van Der Pool.
Recent Articles and Publications:
Important Estate and Gifting Features of the American Taxpayer Relief Act
Trusts & Estates Update, January 2013
The Vacation Home Conundrum
Boston Spirit Magazine, September / October 2012
Massachusetts Passes Uniform Trust Code
Trusts & Estates Update, August 13, 2012
The New Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code
Trusts & Estates Update, April 2012
It’s Time to Use the Increased Estate/Gift/Generation-Skipping Transfer Exemptions
Focus Newsletter, Page 2, Winter 2012
The Disclaimer as a Postmortem Estate Planning Device, Chapter 17, Part II
A Practical Guide to Estate Planning in Massachusetts, 2003-2011 editions
Clifford Cohen and Deborah Hall were contributing authors to this publication.
Massachusetts Expands Protections for Homeowners
Client Update, June 2011
New Federal Tax Law Includes Significant Estate, Gift and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Changes
Tax & Estate Planning Advisory, December 2010
Poor, Poor Pitiful Estate Tax: It’s the most misunderstood tax around
Focus [Page 2], Fall 2010
The Federal Gift and Estate Tax - A Law Change Raises More Questions Than Answers
Boston Spirit Magazine, March/April 2010
Death and Taxes - Not So Certain After All: Important News About the Federal Estate Tax
Tax & Estate Planning Advisory, January 2010
At 18, time to act - and plan - as an adult
Providence Business News, October 19, 2009
Recent Changes to MA Laws Affecting Guardianships, Conservatorships, and Durable Powers of Attorney
Private Client Update, October 2009
Old Enough To Live Away From Home? Old Enough To Plan!
Estate Planning Advisory, August 2009
2009 Alters the Landscape for Estates
Focus [Page 3], Winter 2009
The New Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code: Overview
Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc. (MCLE), 2009
Brian Bixby, Clifford Cohen, Dianne Frade and Marshal Grant served as contributing authors to Section Six, "How Marriage, Divorce, Intestacy, and Litigations May Be Impacted by the Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code".
Don’t Try This At Home – What NOT To Do When Changing Your Estate Plan
Focus, Spring 2008
2004 Estate Planning Update
Focus, Spring 2004
State "QTIP" Trust Eases Massachusetts Estate Planning Dilemma
Focus, Spring 2003
Speaking Engagements:
Newton Community Education Seminar, 4.3.2013
Location: Newton North High School, Newton, MA
Role: Speaker
Topic: Estate Planning and Estate Litigation
Lisa Cukier and Clifford Cohen will speak at the Newton Community Education Center on "Estate Planning and Estate Litigation" on April 3 and April 10, 2013.
Newton Adult Education Seminars, 5.2.2012
Location: Newton South High School, Newton, MA
Role: Speaker
Topic: Wills, Trusts and Probate Law
Newton Adult Education Seminars, 4.25.2012
Location: Newton South High School, Newton, MA
Role: Speaker
Topic: Wills, Trusts and Probate Law
Same Sex Estate Planning and Family Law Issues, 11.10.2011
Location: Northeastern School of Law
Role: Speaker
Wills, Trusts and Probate, 10.26.2011
Location: Newton Community Education, Newton North High School
Role: Speaker
Wills, Trusts and Probate, 10.19.2011
Location: Newton Community Education, Newton North High School
Role: Speaker
Wills, Trusts and Probate, 3.9.2011
Location: Newton Community Education
Role: Speaker
"Wills, Trusts & Probate Litigation" for Newton Community Education, 10.13.2010
Location: Newton, MA
Role: Faculty Member
Topic: Estate Planning and Estate Litigation
"Wills, Trusts & Probate Litigation" for Newton Community Education, 10.6.2010
Location: Newton, MA
Role: Faculty Member
Topic: Estate Planning and Estate Litigation
Wills, Trusts, and Probate Law, 10.14.2009
Location: Newton Adult Education, Newton MA
Role: Speaker
Lisa Cukier and Clifford Cohen will speak at the Newton Adult Education Center on "Wills, Trusts, and Probate Law" on October 14 and October 21, 2009.
Wills, Trusts & Probate, 10.22.2008
Location: Newton Center
Role: Trainer
Lisa Cukier and Clifford Cohen will teach the course, "Wills, Trusts & Probate" for the Newton Center for Adult Education on October 22 and October 29, 2008.
"Wills, Trusts & Probate Litigation" for Newton Community Education, 10.22.2008
Role: Faculty Member
Clifford Cohen is a continuing Faculty Member for this course.
Newton Community Adult Education, 7.17.2007
Role: Presenter
Topic: Estate Planning and Probate Law
Ms. Cukier and Mr. Cohen frequently teach on this subject at NCAE. Other dates include July 24, 2007, October 23, 2007 and October 30, 2007.
Boston Society of Structural Engineers, 11.8.2006
Cliff Cohen and Norm Spector participated in a two part presentation to the Boston Society of Structural Engineers on November 8, 2006 and January 17, 2007. They spoke on the topic of business succession planning.
Wills, Trusts & Probate, 10.4.2006
Lisa M. Cukier and Clifford Cohen taught a "Wills, Trusts & Probate" course for the Newton Community Adult Education Program on October 4, 2006 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Other:
Mr. Cohen is an AV rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell.
