Edward A. Gramigna, Jr.

Partner

Overview

Edward Gramigna advises high net worth individuals on structuring, managing and preparing for the transfer of assets with the goal of minimizing estate and income taxes. His extensive experience in estate planning and estate administration makes him a trusted adviser on effectively transferring wealth consistent with clients’ personal and philanthropic goals. Ed is also a certified public accountant and past member of the firm’s board.

Trusts and Estate Planning

Ed’s seamless preparation of wills, trusts and other estate planning documents is just one piece of his advisory practice. He serves as personal legal adviser to clients on retirement and business-succession planning issues, and he devises strategic, long-term plans for the management and beneficial transfer of wealth.

Ed crafts sophisticated wills and trusts that establish structured distributions of assets to beneficiaries, conserve assets for minor children and remove personal residences from estates in order to reduce tax incurred in asset transfers. He analyzes complex federal estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer tax issues and manages income tax planning for trusts and estates. In addition, Ed has experience handling:

  • Living trusts and insurance trusts
  • Grantor-retained annuity trusts
  • Delaware trusts
  • Special needs trusts
  • Charitable trusts
  • Qualified domestic trusts
  • Asset protection trusts
  • Qualified personal residence trusts
  • Individual retirement account payable to a qualified terminable interest property trust

Probate and Trust Administration

Ed advises individuals and corporate fiduciaries on probate matters and administers trusts and estates. He counsels fiduciaries extensively on interpreting wills and trusts, as well as post-mortem tax planning and income-tax planning. He also has represented numerous individuals and charitable beneficiaries in will contests, construction of wills and trusts, approvals of accountings, undue influence actions, as well as other probate actions.

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Audits

Ed has extensive experience representing individuals and fiduciaries in IRS audits of estate tax and gift tax returns. He negotiates with the IRS and provides an invaluable service to estates in an effort to minimize estate and gift taxes.

Nonprofits and Foundations

Ed counsels charities in planned giving, including consulting with clients, meeting with developmental personnel, establishing foundations, and drafting charitable instruments and seminar presentations.

Faculty Positions

  • Fairleigh Dickinson University, Graduate Tax Program — Adjunct Professor, 1994-97

Credentials

Bar Admissions

New Jersey

Certifications
Certified Public Accountant
Education

New York University School of Law
LL.M. in Taxation

Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
B.S. in Accounting

Rutgers School of Law - Camden
J.D.

Leadership & Community

Professional Associations

  • American Bar Association — Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section
  • New Jersey Bar Association — Taxation Section

Civic Activities

  • Mayo Performing Arts Center — Member, Board of Trustees, 2009-present
  • New Jersey Independent College Fund — Member, Board of Trustees, 2011-present

Firm Leadership

  • Board Member, 2020-21
  • Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP — Managing Partner, 2006-10, 2014-16, 2018-20; Regional Partner in Charge, Florham Park Office, 2008-14

Honors

  • Best Lawyers® — Trusts and Estates, 2006-24; Litigation - Trusts and Estates, 2011-24
  • New Jersey Super Lawyers — 2006, 2010-23
Awards Methodology
No aspect of these recognitions has been approved by the highest court of any state.
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