David Dessen

David Dessen is of counsel with the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates. In 1973 Mr. Dessen earned his law degree from Temple University Beasley School of Law. Soon after graduating from law school, Mr. Hellerman was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar. He is also admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, and the United States District Courts for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia. In 1994 Mr. Dessen returned to Temple University and obtained a Masters of Law degree in Trial Advocacy, and completed the RAC Certificate Program offered by the Medicare-Medicaid Payment Summit in 2012. With over 40 years of experience with a focus on estates and trusts, Mr. Dessen has earned a reputation for representing his clients’ interests with both vigor and compassion, and providing innovative solutions to complex matters.

Mr. Dessen provides sophisticated estate and personal planning to individuals and families, including the planning and preparation of wills, trusts, and related estate-planning documents. In designing personal estate plans for his clients, Mr. Dessen takes into consideration the client’s goals for transferring wealth as well as the estate, gift and income tax consequences of the plan.

Mr. Dessen represents fiduciaries in connection with the required legal, tax, and accounting work associated with the administration of estates and trusts, as well as the various other fiduciary functions required of the personal representative or trustee such as disposing of assets and maintaining records. His goal is always the efficient and orderly settling of estates and management of trusts with an eye towards preserving the value of the property and minimizing taxes.

Mr. Dessen uses his background as a corporate litigator to represent fiduciaries and beneficiaries in a variety of contested and complex matters involving the administration of estates and trusts. He represents personal representatives and trustees in probate court proceedings related to challenges to the validity of wills, trusts, and other estate documents, disputes about construction, and matters concerning the manner in which the fiduciaries have discharged their duties. Sensitive to the delicate issues and complex family relationships often involved with estate disputes as well as the need for privacy, Mr. Dessen understands the importance of resolving such disputes without involving the court whenever possible.

Mr. Dessen’s estate planning practice extends to business planning. Understanding that an important asset for many individuals and families is a family-owned business, Mr. Dessen helps business owners with succession planning, sale of business assets, and other issues associated with business interest planning.

In addition to handling matters related to estate planning, litigation, and administration, Mr. Dessen also helps clients with personal planning. Personal planning involves taking steps to preserve wealth through asset protection strategies. It also involves helping clients with matters related to disability and incompetency planning in order to ensure that the client’s personal and financial needs are cared for in the manner of the client’s choosing in the face of a health crisis.

Mr. Dessen has been recognized by his peers as a "Pennsylvania Super Lawyer". He is a member of the American Prepaid Legal Services Institute and has served on its Board of Directors. He has lectured extensively throughout the country on various topics, ranging from insurance to the delivery of legal services to large groups. He acts as a consultant for attorneys and law firms that are servicing prepaid and group legal plans, as well as a consultant for unions and other groups that are interested in organizing such plans.

If you have questions related to estate planning, estate disputes, administration of trusts and estates, business succession planning, or planning for incapacity, the estate attorneys serving Philadelphia at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates can help. Contact our office at 833.725.2972 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case.