We assist clients with a broad range of estate planning, estate administration, charitable giving, asset protection, business succession, wealth transfer, elder law, and estate and gift tax matters. In addition to preparing basic documents such as wills, revocable living trusts, health care directives, and durable powers of attorney, we are also experienced in developing and implementing creative and sophisticated estate plans to achieve client objectives in all of the areas listed above. Sophisticated estate plans often involve various types of irrevocable trusts, special needs trusts, charitable trusts, qualified personal residence trusts (QPRTs), grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATs), limited partnerships, limited liability companies, private foundations, and supporting organizations. In addition, we also handle probates (contested and uncontested), administration of trusts and estates, guardianships and conservatorships, planning for distributions from large retirement plans (including IRAs), and the preparation of gift and estate tax returns.
We have a diverse tax practice in which we regularly advise clients on individual income tax matters, including handling tax appeals and disputes with the Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities, income tax planning, planning for capital gains transactions, documenting simultaneous and deferred like-kind exchanges, and arranging and documenting charitable gifts (including establishing charitable trusts and various charitable organizations).
We are adept in the use of a broad range of sophisticated techniques for client charitable giving and wealth enhancement, including the use of charitable remainder trusts, private foundations, and charitable lead trusts. We also have expertise in the formation of family non-operating foundations, operating foundations, support organizations, and public charities. In addition, we provide continuing guidance on the operation of tax exempt entities by helping clients avoid self-dealing, excess business holdings, and jeopardy investments.
