ESTATE PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION
Estate planning can be complicated and costly. In both planning and administering estates, our objective is to help our clients achieve their goals with respect to providing for their heirs and ensure the disposition of their assets in a seamless, tax-efficient manner.
Our firm offers a broad range of services to assist clients with the financial management and administration of estates and trusts. Every estate planning situation is different, and we get take a personalized approach to working with each individual client. We assist with evaluating and recommending estate planning options and preparing and reviewing documents including wills, trusts, health care and power of attorney. We help clients address potential problems and expenses associated with probate and lessen taxes at time of death. In addition, we can arrange for management of your estate in the event you are incapacitated.
With our expert knowledge of the federal and state estate and inheritance laws and related probate procedures, we work with executors and trustees to prepare the necessary estate and trust tax returns and advise clients on related income tax matters.
GIFTING FAMILY MEMBERS
For tax purposes, a gift is a transfer to an individual, either directly or indirectly, where full consideration is not received in return. The IRS has imposed a limit both for the amount you can give each year and what you can give over the course of your lifetime. If you exceed those limits, you will have to pay a gift tax on the amount that is over the limit.
If you are considering gifting family members, it is important to keep in mind that there are advantages and disadvantages. For example, moving money out of your estate via lifetime gifts removes future appreciation on the asset from your estate. However, it may reduce your net worth at a time when you need enough assets to care for yourself throughout a long retirement or illness.
Gifting requires careful planning in order to prevent taxation of any assets you pass on. Our firm has an in-depth understanding of federal tax laws and what gifts are and are not taxable. We guide clients in minimizing tax liability and maximizing their ability to gift assets to their loved ones – now and in the future.