Benjamin S. Cranston

Senior Associate Buffalo, Chautauqua

Benjamin concentrates his practice in the areas of estate and trust planning, including assisting clients with issues related to estate and gift taxation, elder law and Medicaid, as well as trust and estate administration.

His experience includes preparation of customized estate plan documents for clients and representation of fiduciaries and beneficiaries in estate and trust administration matters.

Expertise

Areas of Practice

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Honors & Awards

  • Named Upstate New York Super Lawyers® Rising Star, 2022-2023
  • Named to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America®
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Education & Admissions

Education
  • Syracuse University College of Law, J.D., summa cum laude, Order of the Coif, 2017
  • Johns Hopkins University, B.A., 2014
Admitted to Practice
  • New York
Certifications
  • Certificate for Estate Planning Curricular Program, Syracuse University College of Law
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Speaking Engagements

View All
  • Presenter, “Using Disclaimers,” NYSBA’s Trusts and Estates Law Section 2023 Fall Meeting, September 2023
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Activities & Professional Associations

Present Activities

  • Leadership Buffalo, Class of 2023

Past Activities

  • Syracuse Law Review, Editor-in-Chief, Volume 67
  • Pro Bono Advisory Board, Class of 2017, Co-Chair

Professional Associations

  • American Bar Association
    • Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section
    • Section of Taxation
    • Young Lawyers Division
  • New York State Bar Association
    • Elder Law & Special Needs Section
    • Trust & Estates Law Section
  • Western New York Planned Giving Consortium

Articles & Publications

Articles

  • Co-Author, “Medicaid Planning to Preserve the Primary Residence,” Buffalo Business First, December 2022
  • Co-Author, “Beneficiary Designations in Estate Plans: An Important (Often Overlooked) Step,” Rochester Business Journal, March 2022