Holly A. Beecher

Partner Buffalo, Rochester, Chautauqua

A seasoned trusts and estates lawyer, Holly provides exceptional representation to clients on all aspects of their estate planning and trust and estate administration needs.

With over 25 years of experience, Holly represents clients in the preparation of estate plans as well in the administration of trusts and estates. She is known for her practical and straight forward approach to identifying issues, analyzing options and helping clients to choose the best strategies to attain their goals.

From educating and advising clients in preparation of sophisticated estate plans resulting in tax minimization and protection of assets for the benefit of families and legacies, including business succession planning, charitable planning and probate avoidance, to planning for special needs individuals as beneficiaries or in need of guardianships, and Medicaid planning for individuals, Holly has significant experience with established results.

Holly also has exceptional experience in the administration of estates and trusts. The Trusts and Estates Practice Group Leader, she represents individuals and corporate fiduciaries in all facets of the estate and trust administration process—including appointment of fiduciaries, marshaling assets, preparation of accountings, and distribution of assets—and provides guidance regarding prudent investing and other fiduciary duties, including fiduciary income tax planning and preparation of necessary fiduciary income tax and estate tax returns. Holly also provides representation to individuals who are beneficiaries of estates and trusts during an administration to ensure their interests as beneficiaries are protected.

Expertise

Areas of Practice

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Honors & Awards

  • The Daily Record Trusts and Estates Power List, 2024
  • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America®
  • Listed in The Daily Record Power 20 Trusts & Estates, 2021-2023
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Education & Admissions

Education
  • State University of New York at Buffalo Law School, J.D., 1997
  • State University of New York at Buffalo, M.S.W., 1991
  • Michigan State University, B.S., 1988
Admitted to Practice
  • New York
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Speaking Engagements

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  • Presenter, “Using Disclaimers,” NYSBA’s Trusts and Estates Law Section 2023 Fall Meeting, September 2023
  • Co-Chair, NYSBA’s Trusts and Estates Law Section Spring Meeting, May 2021
  • Speaker, Introductory Remarks, NYSBA’s Trusts and Estates Law Section Fall Meeting, September 2017
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Activities & Professional Associations

Past Activities

  • Crisis Services Foundation, Board of Directors, Treasurer
  • Legal Services for the Elderly, Disabled or Disadvantaged of W.N.Y., Board of Directors
  • Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Western New York, Board of Directors
  • Shea’s O’Connell Preservation Guild Ltd, Board of Trustees, Secretary
  • Society of Financial Service Professionals
  • United Way of Buffalo & Erie County, Board Governance Project for Women, Class of 2003

Professional Associations

  • American Bar Association
    • Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section
    • Section of Taxation
  • Bar Association of Erie County
    • Elder Law Committee
    • Practice and Procedure in Surrogate Court Committee
  • New York State Bar Association
    • Elder Law & Special Needs Section
    • Trusts and Estates Law Section, Executive Committee, Member of the House of Delegates
  • Western New York Estate Planning Council (formerly Estate Analysts of Western New York, Inc.)
    • Board of Directors, President 2018-2019 
    • Board of Directors, Vice President, 2017-2018
  • Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York, WNY Chapter

Articles & Publications

Articles

  • Co-Author, “Beneficiary Designations in Estate Plans: An Important (Often Overlooked) Step,” Rochester Business Journal, March 2022