Provided by Carolyn R. Caufield
High Net Worth
Practice Areas
Carolyn Caufield is a partner and chair of Herrick's Private Clients Department. She counsels individuals, closely held businesses, corporate fiduciaries and financial institutions on matters relating to multigenerational estate and gift planning, trust and estate administration (including litigations), business succession planning, and charitable giving strategies.
In advising her clients, Carolyn draws upon her extensive experience in designing and implementing sophisticated lifetime gift giving and estate tax planning strategies as part of a multigenerational and tax-efficient approach to wealth preservation. She counsels clients on planning for major life events, disability or incompetence, the succession of family-owned businesses, as well as the valuation of assets for estate and gift tax matters. In addition, Carolyn resolves fiduciary income tax issues, disputed matters involving fiduciaries, and other related conflicts including mediation when appropriate. Furthermore, Carolyn represents individual and institutional clients in Surrogate's Court litigation matters. She has also represented clients in federal and New York estate tax and gift tax valuation proceedings, and proceedings involving federal and New York income taxation of estates, trusts and beneficiaries.
Career
Carolyn is dedicated to working with her clients to define their legacy and ensure their often-unique vision for the future. In her fourth decade of practice, Carolyn is both highly responsive and able to navigate clients beyond the complicated and technical aspects of estate planning, probate law and guardianship. Carolyn is highly regarded for her ability to establish immediate credibility with clients and their other professional advisors as needed.
Professional Memberships
Carolyn is a member of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, Trusts, Estates & Surrogates Courts Committee. As an active member of that committee, Carolyn participates in legislative efforts that contribute to the formation of new laws and guidelines that better reflect the complexities of practicing in this venerable area of the law in the digital age.
Additional Memberships
- The Lutece Foundation, President
- The Morris Museum, Guinness Collection Committee
- Law Women, NYU School of Law
Expert in these Jurisdictions
Admissions
- New York
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
- U.S. Tax Court
Education
New York University School of Law
J.D.
Georgetown University
B.A., cum laude
Awards
Trusts and Estates; Litigation - Trusts and Estates
The Best Lawyers in America©
2025
New York Metro Super Lawyers
Thomson Reuters
2024
Notable Women in Law
Crain's New York Business
2023
Leading Family Lawyers
Lawdragon 500
2025
AV Peer Review Ratings & Client Review Awards
Martindale-Hubbell®