Wealth Transfer and Preservation Planning:

The firm offers a wide range of wealth transfer planning and wealth preservation services.  The planning process usually begins with an initial conference to gather the client's data, explore goals and objectives, answer questions and provide information about the firm, as well as discuss the planning process and the techniques and strategies we use.  To help a client better understand his or her situation, we also provide a preliminary analysis.  The initial conference and the preliminary analysis are normally provided on a no obligation basis.  Wealth transfer and preservation planning involves assisting our clients in preparing an integrated estate, tax, and financial plan to meet their specific goals, as developed in our initial conference.  This is particularly critical when a client owns a small business into which most, if not all, of the client's wealth is concentrated (See Business Succession Planning Page). We work closely with our clients and their other advisors to:

• Protect and preserve a client's business and personal assets during their lifetime;
• Maximize the amount of these assets available to the client's family and future generations;
• Avoid, to the largest degree possible, the impact of wealth transfer taxes and predatory creditor claims;
• Determine the timing and circumstances under which loved ones and younger family members receive the benefit and/or control of these assets.

Documents, Procedures and Strategies:

Wealth transfers and preservation planning involves creating a comprehensive Plan Design for our clients, including asset distribution documents (wills and trusts) designed to minimize  taxes, disability planning documents, choice of entity selection planning and business organizational documents, buy-sell agreements, business and personal asset restructuring and other arrangements.  This planning also includes assisting a client's family and loved ones with probate and other procedures necessary when a client dies.  There are literally dozens of documents, techniques, and strategies we may use to assist a client and his or her family to achieve their goals.  To get an idea of the tools, techniques, and strategies that we may use, please go to the Download Files section and download the document entitled "Fifteen Common Estate Planning Objectives".

Fee Structures and Fee Arrangements:

Because of the highly personalized and confidential nature of our work, fees are quoted only in the context of the initial conference or after we have done a preliminary analysis.  Fees for services include planning, analysis (or what we like to call developing a Plan Design for our clients), legal work, including advice and counsel, drafting of documents and consulting.  Consulting involves assisting our clients with implementation of their wealth transfer planning and/or wealth preservation plan which includes such things as coordinating with the client's other advisors, advice on retitling of assets and change of beneficiary designations, tax advice, included the making and impact of making various tax elections, and generally any other matter the client requests our assistance on to implement the legal work or advice provided.  Please go to the Download Files section and download our Fees and Services Memo for a more comprehensive discussion.

Getting Started:

Getting started is relatively easy.  We need to develop personal and financial information about you, your family, and your business as well as your goals and objectives.  If you are a corporate executive, we need detailed information about your executive compensation package.  We also need to know who your other advisors are.  A format for gathering this information can be found in the "Download Files" of our website, simply follow the instructions.  If you need assistance or have a question, please do not hesitate to contact one of our staff who will work with you to put this information together.  If you have this information compiled in a different format, that will work as well.  With the information in hand, simply contact our office to arrange an initial, no obligation conference.  You will be provided with additional instructions at that time.  We look forward to helping you keep your financial train on track!