Richard P. Breed, III

Richard P. Breed, III is an estate planning attorney in Shipman’s Boston office. For more than three decades, Rick has guided families, business owners, fiduciaries, and institutions through the complexities of estate planning, business succession, and wealth preservation. Clients value his balanced approach – combining deep technical knowledge of tax law with a practical understanding of family and business dynamics – enabling him to craft strategies that safeguard assets while honoring long-term personal and financial goals.

Rick advises high-net-worth individuals and families on multigenerational planning, business transitions, and strategies to minimize estate, gift, and income taxes. He frequently counsels fiduciaries and beneficiaries on trust and estate administration, guiding them through valuation, governance, and compliance challenges while helping to resolve conflicts. His practice also includes advising business owners on structuring companies, mergers, acquisitions, and reorganizations in coordination with estate planning objectives.

Known for creating forward-looking plans that address both family needs and legal obligations, Rick designs trusts to preserve inheritances against creditors or divorce claims, drafts agreements that smooth leadership transitions in family businesses, and advises on charitable giving structures that align with clients’ philanthropic goals. His work is informed by decades of experience and his leadership within the estate planning community, including serving as President of the Boston Estate Planning Council.

Rick was a founding member of Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers, P.C. before joining Shipman.