About
Paul’s practice is focused in the areas of trust and estate planning and administration, with additional work in the area of personal income taxes, and other individual-related legal issues. He also specializes in representation of tax-exempt organizations and charitable gift planning, representing both institutions and donors. In connection with his estate and financial planning activities, he has been primarily involved in the drafting of wills and trusts, as well as general investment work. In addition to individual clients, he represents trust departments of some of the area’s major financial institutions. Along with probate and administration of decedents’ estates and trusts, post-mortem tax planning, and preparation of federal and state estate tax returns, he has been involved in valuation questions regarding real estate and shares of closely-held businesses. Paul also has in-depth expertise in the area of the legal issues related to trust and estate litigation.
Work Experience
-
Hinckley Allen
- Partner (1981-Present)
- Associate (1975-1981)
Honors & Awards
- Best Lawyers in America® (2016, 2018-2019)
- Lawyer of the Year (2017)
- Recognized for Non-Profit/Charities Law and Trust and Estates
- Chambers USA High Net Worth (HNW) (2018)
- Rhode Island Monthly Magazine, Top Lawyers in Rhode Island in Estate Planning Category
- Super Lawyers, Rhode Island (2005-2018)
- The Rhode Island Foundation, Harold B. Soloveitzik Professional Leadership Award (2010)
Charitable & Civic Involvement
- Camp Ruggles, Board of Directors
- Moses Brown School, Budget and Finance Committee
- Providence Ronald McDonald House, Chairman, Investment Committee
- Temple Beth-El, LYG Endowment Fund Oversight Committee
- The Providence Athenauem, Investment Committee
Professional Affiliations
- American Bar Association
- Estate Planning Council of Rhode Island
- National Association of College and University Attorneys
- Partnership for Philanthropic Planning of Rhode Island
- Rhode Island Bar Association
- Rhode Island Planned Giving Council
Bar Memberships
- Massachusetts, 1985
- Rhode Island, 1975
Speaking Engagements
- Panelist: 2009 Estate Planning Round-Up: The Year in Review. The Rhode Island Foundation and Citizens Bank, Providence, RI, November 4, 2009
- Panelist: Private Philanthropy, Foreign Policy Association, Newport, RI, March 19, 2008
- Panelist: Fiduciary Responsibilities of Managing Endowments. Citizens Bank, Providence, RI, February 28, 2008
- Panelist: 2007 Estate Planning Round-Up: The Year in Review. The Rhode Island Foundation and Citizens Bank, Providence, RI, November 7, 2007
- Presentation: Community Foundations & Banks – Friend or Foe? Can’t We All Just Get Along? 2007 Fall Conference for Community Foundations, San Francisco, CA, September 17, 2007
- Panelist: Insights from Foundation Funders: 2007 Massachusetts Land Conservation Conference, Worcester, MA, March 24, 2007
- Presentation: The Uniform Management of Institutional Funds Act: How It Affects Your Endowment Spending. 2006 Blackbaud Conference for Nonprofits, Charleston, SC, October 23, 2006
- Panelist: Tax-Exempt Organizations in Rhode Island. Lorman Education Services, Providence, RI, July 11, 2006
- Presentation: Advanced Charitable Giving Techniques. Joint meeting of RI Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors; RI Society of Financial Service Professionals; and RI Financial Planning Association, Warwick, RI, January 24, 2006
- Presentation: UMIFA: How It Affects Your Endowment, What Changes Are Coming and When? Higher Education Law and Policy Institute, San Diego, CA, December 6, 2005
- Presentation: Due Diligence in Charitable Giving and Administration. Planned Giving Council of RI, Providence, RI, November 17, 2005
- Panelist: 2005 Estate Planning Round-Up: The Year in Review; Implications of Circular 230 for the Tax Practitioner. The Rhode Island Foundation and Citizens Bank, Providence, Rhode Island, October 27, 2005
- Panelist: Charitable Giving for the Accounting Professional, Citizens Bank, Providence, RI, May 4, 2005
- Presentation: UMIFA: U Got The Money – Now, Can You Spend It? Planned Giving Group of New England, Boston, MA, February 9, 2005
- Presentation: Charitable Remainder Trusts: A Primer, Planned Giving Council of RI, Providence, RI, November 18, 2004
- Presentation: UMIFA: U Got the Money – Now, Can You Spend It? National Conference on Planned Giving, Dallas, TX, October 16, 2004
- Panelist: Charitable Giving Techniques for the Non-Estate Planning Attorney, Leave A Legacy Seminar, Citizens Bank, Providence, RI, September 30, 2004
- Presentation: Estate Planning: The ABCs of Charitable Trusts, The Rhode Island Foundation, South Kingstown, RI, April 26, 2001
- Panelist: Scholarships, Council on Foundations, 14th Fall Conference for Community Foundations, Miami, FL, October, 1998
- Faculty, Bryant College Masters in Taxation Program. Course: Income Taxation of Trusts and Estates, 1981
Firm News
38 Hinckley Allen Attorneys Recognized as 2018 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
October 18, 2018
The Super Lawyers has selected 38 Hinckley Allen attorneys as Super Lawyers and Rising Stars. Each year,
Firm News
51 Hinckley Allen Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America 2019
August 15, 2018
Hinckley Allen is pleased to announce that Best Lawyers® has recognized 51 attorneys in the 2019 edition…
Publication
Trusts & Estates 2017 Tax Update
March 6, 2017
This article summarizes federal and state wealth transfer and income tax laws that could affect your…
Publication
What Changes Might We Expect with Trump Presidency?
December 8, 2016
As a result of the recent election, both the executive and legislative branches of the federal government…
Past Event
The Washington Trust Company: Wealth Planning in a Year of Change
October 11, 2017
Hinckley Allen Partner Paul A. Silver will be speaking at the 2017 Wealth Planning Roundtable "Wealth…