Richard M. Storto - Syracuse, NY
Richard M. Storto is a prominent trusts and estates partner at Melvin & Melvin, PLLC in Syracuse, New York, practicing law since 1975. An elected Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and perennial Super Lawyers honoree, he focuses on estate planning, trust administration, probate litigation, and corporate succession.
Trust, Estate, and Corporate Leadership in Syracuse
Preserving family wealth, planning business succession, and navigating surrogate court disputes require seasoned legal counsel. Located in the McCarthy Building on South Salina Street in downtown Syracuse, attorney Richard M. Storto has served Central New York for fifty years. A graduate of Cornell Law School admitted in 1975, he heads the Trusts and Estates department at Melvin & Melvin, PLLC, one of Syracuse's premier law firms.
Attorney Richard M. Storto brings deep technical knowledge to estate and commercial matters. In 2002, he was elected a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, an honor reserved for the top trust practitioners nationally. Whether structuring corporate joint ventures, drafting dynasty trusts, or litigating contested probate matters, attorney Storto provides clients with strategic vision and dependable counsel.
Comprehensive Estate Planning and Wealth Preservation
Effective wealth management demands forward-looking planning to minimize taxes and protect beneficiaries. When you need a lawyer to design an estate plan, Richard M. Storto provides tailored strategies:
- Wills and estate planning: Knowledgeable wills lawyers and estate planning lawyers draft customized last wills, healthcare proxies, and living wills that protect your wishes.
- Trust administration: Dedicated trusts lawyers create revocable living trusts, irrevocable life insurance trusts, and special needs trusts designed to safeguard assets and streamline estate transfers.
- Probate administration: Empathetic probate lawyers guide executors and beneficiaries through surrogate court probate proceedings, tax filings, and fiduciary accounting.
- Powers of attorney: Attentive power of attorney lawyers craft durable powers of attorney to ensure trusted financial management during incapacity.
High-Stakes Estate Litigation and Corporate Advisory
When disputes arise over testamentary documents or corporate governance, experienced courtroom counsel is vital. As versatile business and real estate lawyers, the practice resolves complex disputes:
- Surrogate's court trust litigation: Fearless litigators handle contested probate matters, will contests, fiduciary removal proceedings, and contested accountings.
- Corporate entity formation: Accomplished business formation lawyers assist enterprises with limited liability company formations, partnership agreements, and restructuring.
- Commercial contract negotiations: Skilled contract lawyers and business litigation lawyers negotiate commercial contracts, vendor agreements, and corporate buyouts.
- Banking and fiduciary counsel: Trusted legal counsel to regional bank trust departments and corporate fiduciaries on compliance and risk management.
Why Choose Richard M. Storto at Melvin & Melvin"
Entrusting your family legacy or corporate enterprise to counsel demands verified experience. Clients across Syracuse choose Richard M. Storto for distinct reasons:
- Fellow of ACTEC: Elected Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel since 2002.
- Super Lawyers honoree: Perennially selected to Super Lawyers in Estate and Trust Litigation from 2008 to 2025.
- Published legal authority: Contributing author to Warren's Heaton on Surrogate's Court and state bar publications.
- Five decades of practice: Fifty years of continuous practice in Syracuse delivering steady, dependable advocacy.
If you require estate planning, face a contested trust dispute, or seek corporate legal counsel in Syracuse, do not navigate legal hurdles alone. Contact Richard M. Storto at Melvin & Melvin, PLLC today to schedule a consultation.
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Location & Access
Primary Address
Situated in the vibrant Downtown Syracuse neighborhood, right in the center of the city's business and shopping district.
Building Location
The office is housed in the historic 5-story McCarthy Building, a classic late-19th-century commercial building built in 1894. The building is famously known for the 'Heart of Syracuse' painted on its side, and is near local favorites like Modern Malt Bakeshop and Otro Cinco.
Parking Details
Paid public parking is available at the underground Center Armory Garage. Additionally, clients can utilize the multi-storey Onondaga Tower Garage or the surface-level City Hall Lot nearby.
Public Transit
Served by Centro Route 58 (Park Hill); nearest stop is at S Salina St & W Jefferson St.
Accessibility / Suite Access
Enter through the primary lobby of the historic McCarthy Building. Take the passenger elevator up to the seventh floor to locate Suite 700.