Kevin Centurrino, a partner in the firm’s trusts and estates practice group, is widely recognized for his thought-leadership, service to the legal profession, and client-focused philosophy.  Admitted to practice in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, he frequently represents high-net-worth individuals and families in both simple and complex trust and estate matters.

Kevin prioritizes close collaboration with his clients, and is well-known for providing highly customized estate plans designed to achieve their goals and maximize tax-efficiencies.  He also has significant experience advising executors, administrators, trustees, beneficiaries, and creditors of trusts and estates on administration and probate matters (including holographic wills and writings intended as a will), and is experienced at preparing federal and state gift, estate, and inheritance tax returns; counseling clients involved in beneficiary disputes; modifying trust agreements; preparing qualified disclaimers; and negotiating and drafting settlement and distribution agreements.

As an engaged member of the legal community, Kevin is known as a leader among his peers.  He currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the Estate Planning Council of Northern New Jersey and is an active member of the New Jersey State Bar Association.  As a trusted and influential voice, he is also a frequent lecturer for professional organizations, including the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, the New York City Bar Association, and the National Academy of Continuing Legal Education, and has published numerous articles in the New Jersey Law Journal.

Kevin holds a B.A. from Moravian College and a J.D. from Widener University School of Law, where he was a member of the Moot Court Honor Society.  Before joining Berkowitz Lichtstein he spent more than a decade practicing estate planning and administration with a leading boutique tax firm.

 Classes/Seminars

The SECURE Act 2.0: What You Need to Know, Law Practice CLE, 2023

The SECURE Act: 5 Key Considerations, National Academy of Continuing Legal Education, 2022

10 Myths About College Savings, Ameriprise, 2022

Estate Planning for Special Situations, NJ ICLE, 2021

Laying a Financial Foundation for Lawyers and Clients, NJ ICLE, 2021

Estate Planning for Incapacitated Individuals and Lessons from the Pandemic, NJ ICLE, 2021

The Value of a College Education and Estate Planning Strategies to Pay For It With 529 Plans and Gifts, Estate Planning Council of Northern New Jersey, 2021

Estate Planning and Administration Strategies for Non-Probate Assets, NJ ICLE, 2020 – 2022

The Impact of a Judgment of Divorce on Existing Wills, Trust Agreements, Beneficiary Forms, ERISA Benefits and Other Designations, 84th Semi-Annual Tax and Estate Planning Forum, NJ ICLE, 2020

Powers of Attorney and Living Wills: Revisited – How the Pandemic has Changed Estate Planning for Incapacitated Individuals, NJ ICLE, 2020

Section 529 Savings Plans: Pros, Cons and Everything in Between, 82nd Semi-Annual Tax and Estate Planning Forum, NJ ICLE, 2019

Estate Planning for Paralegals and Legal Professionals, NJ ICLE, 2019

Advanced Estate Administration, NJ ICLE, 2018 – 2019

Bridging the Gap: New Jersey Estate Planning 101, New York City Bar Association, 2018

Real Life Problems with Non-Probate Assets, NJ ICLE, 2017

Publications

New Opportunity to Make a Late and Inexpensive Portability Election, New Jersey Law Journal, July 24, 2017

Warning: 529 Accounts May Be Subject to New Jersey Inheritance Tax, New Jersey Law Journal, June 12, 2017

A Second Chance to Elect Estate Tax Portability, New Jersey Law Journal, March 24, 2014

The Pros and Cons of the Family Limited Partnership, New Jersey Law Journal, August 22, 2011

Taking Advantage of FDIC Insurance Loopholes Could Impede Your Estate Plan, New Jersey Law Journal, August 26, 2010