Personal Planning
Our goal is to minimize the tax burdens of our clients, and, in so doing, better preserve and protect accumulated wealth. To that end, we have significant experience that we apply to benefit clients with vital and valuable expertise.
We consult with clients on a wide array of issues. Among these are:
Estate Planning
Individuals and families alike have a long-held interest in the preservation of wealth and the transfer of that wealth from generation to generation. But wealth-management is more than safeguarding capital. It is a process of life management that demands the highest level of service, quality, and commitment. Our mission is to preserve wealth, minimize taxes and carry out our clients' desired intention, and to do so with the most current estate planning techniques available.
Trust and Estate Administration
In addition to handling traditional probate estates, we assist with nonjudicial administration of trusts. We also litigate issues involving construction and interpretation of wills and trusts, including will contests.
Estate Distribution
Preparation of testamentary and inter vivos documents, advising clients regarding the disposition of their assets, and recommending strategies to reduce exposure to gift and estate taxes and probate expenses.
Retirement Planning
Assisting clients in planning for distributions from their retirement plans to minimize the family’s tax exposure.
Business Succession Planning
Addressing issues unique to the owners of closely held and family owned businesses, including the preparation of intra-family transfers, buy-sell agreements and working with existing management in achieving common family goals.
Liquidity Planning
Advising clients on the selection and ownership of life insurance, including formation of irrevocable life insurance trusts, and addressing liquidity issues in their estate to avoid forced liquidation of assets in order to pay debts, taxes, or expenses of administration.
Asset Protection Planning
Structuring affairs of clients to provide maximum protection from creditor claims, both during their lifetimes and after death.
Tax Return Preparation
Preparation of estate, inheritance, fiduciary income, and gift tax returns.
Charitable Planning and Tax Exempt Organizations
Assisting clients in fulfilling their charitable desires with an eye to maximizing the tax benefit to both the client and the client’s family. Forming entities to meet a client’s charitable interest including charitable remainder and lead trusts, and private foundations.
Fiduciary Counsel
Counseling individuals, banks, and trust companies on fiduciary matters.
Tax Litigation
Representation in tax disputes with the IRS Appeals offices and state taxing authorities, and in the litigation of disputes when they cannot be resolved.
Guardianships and Conservatorships
Representing clients in matters which involve individuals incapable of managing their financial and personal affairs, as well as individuals who have not yet reached the age of maturity.