Serving clients in the Capital District, Albany County, and surrounding areas
Formation
We assist in all aspects of not-for-profit corporate formation or religious corporations, including: drafting of your Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws, gaining tax exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service, and initial filings with the Department of State and Attorney General’s Office.
Amendments
We can draft changes to your Certificate of Incorporation and prepare applications for approval of changes to your corporate purposes. If necessary, we prepare court papers to obtain cy pres relief from restrictions placed on using existing assets for new expanded purposes.
Corporate Governance
We can advise you of state and federal law regarding corporate governance, structure, and finance.
Sale of Corporate Assets
We can assist in negotiation of the sale of all or substantially all of your corporate assets, handle closings, and prepare the necessary legal papers to obtain court, state agency and Attorney General Approval of the transaction. For religious corporates, we can represent you in closings and applications to the Court and Attorney General for approval of the sale or mortgage of corporate real estate.
Dissolutions
We can advise your organization of the different ways to terminate your corporation, prepare the legal papers necessary to obtain permission to dissolve from the New York State Supreme Court, the Attorney General, and any applicable regulatory state agency, and approval of the filing of your Certificate of Dissolution when you have complied with your Plan of Dissolution.
Removal of Gift Restrictions
We can evaluate your existing restricted funds, advise you of your rights under recently enacted legislation with regard to access of the principal of endowment funds, and assist you in obtaining relief on obsolete or impractical gift restrictions. If necessary, we can represent you in obtaining cy pres relief from the New York State Supreme Court on the grounds of economic impracticability or impossibility.
Public Cemetery Matters
We understand the issues that public cemeteries face and can provide you with technical advice, and represent you in legal proceedings to sell or purchase land, gain access to the principal of your permanent maintenance fund, and other transactional matters under the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law.
Charitable Trusts
We can assist in the conversion of charitable trusts into Not-for-Profit Corporation, or prepare and represent you in gaining approval of intermediate and final accountings of your perpetual charitable trust. We can also assist you in setting up a charitable remainder unitrust or annuity trust, assist you on reporting issues, and provide technical advise. We can also guide and assist you if you are seeking to solicit funds from the general public for the relief of a particular individual or special cause.
Beyond Not-for-Profit, Religious Corporations Law and Charitable Trusts
At Rowlands, LeBrou & Griesmer, we are able to support you beyond your not-for-profit, religious corporations law and charitable trusts matters. Our team of experienced and dedicated attorneys, combined with our diversified practice spanning 20 industries and 40 service areas, have you covered. From helping with a real estate matter, to defending you in litigation, to protecting your business interests, the strength of our team is the answer to your many legal needs.
When You Are Ready
When you are ready to schedule a consultation regarding not-for-profit, religious corporations law and charitable trusts matters, please call or complete the Request a Consultation form.
