Lawyers in our personal and estate planning practice work closely with clients to establish plans that achieve personal goals on a tax-effective basis. This includes advice concerning the accumulation and disposition of assets, whether in modest or substantial estates.

In preparing a plan, we analyze the existing assets, identify family and personal issues and advise as to the tax liability and the liquidity required to meet that liability. We formulate and effectuate an estate plan specifically tailored to meet the client's objectives. This may include the following:

• Simple plans. A young family with small children and fewer assets may 
  need a simple plan that emphasizes the parents' concern about their children's well being. 

• Tax planning and gifting. Clients with greater accumulations of assets will need more sophisticated tax planning. Gifting techniques include grantor retained annuity trusts and qualified personal residence trusts.

• Charitable giving. This includes private foundations, conservation restrictions and restricted gifts.

• Succession planning for family businesses. There are a number of critical and sensitive issues counseling family businesses to meet both business and personal goals. Solutions may include buy-sell arrangements, recapitalizations, and restructuring holdings.

• Retirement issues and planning.

• Planning for incapacitated persons, whether adults or children.

• Planning with life insurance.