Estate & Legacy Planning
Preserve and transfer your wealth efficiently across generations. Our comprehensive estate planning strategies minimize taxes, protect assets, and ensure your legacy reflects your values and family objectives.
Estate Planning Impact
Estate Planning Services
Comprehensive estate planning strategies designed to preserve wealth and create lasting family legacies.
Strategic planning to minimize estate and gift taxes while maximizing wealth transfer to beneficiaries.
- Gifting strategies
- Tax-efficient structures
- Valuation discounts
- Generation-skipping planning
Sophisticated trust strategies for asset protection, tax efficiency, and controlled wealth distribution.
- Irrevocable life insurance trusts
- Charitable remainder trusts
- Dynasty trusts
- Grantor trusts
Tax-efficient charitable strategies that achieve philanthropic goals while providing significant tax benefits.
- Donor-advised funds
- Charitable lead trusts
- Private foundations
- Appreciated asset gifting
Comprehensive planning for business owners to transfer ownership while minimizing taxes and maintaining control.
- Buy-sell agreements
- Family limited partnerships
- Employee stock ownership plans
- Management transitions
Wealth Transfer Strategies
Advanced strategies to efficiently transfer wealth to future generations while minimizing tax consequences.
| Strategy | Annual Limit | Lifetime Impact | Tax Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
Annual Gifting Systematic use of annual gift tax exclusions to transfer wealth over time without tax consequences. | $18,000 per recipient | $12.92M (2023) | No gift tax or estate inclusion |
Grantor Retained Annuity Trust (GRAT) Transfer future appreciation to beneficiaries while retaining annuity payments for a specified term. | No limit | Uses exemption | Transfers appreciation tax-free |
Qualified Personal Residence Trust (QPRT) Transfer residence to family members at a discounted value while retaining occupancy rights. | N/A | Uses exemption | Significant valuation discount |
Charitable Lead Annuity Trust (CLAT) Provide charitable donations while transferring remaining assets to heirs with minimal gift tax. | No limit | Minimal exemption use | Leveraged wealth transfer |
Our Estate Planning Process
A systematic approach to estate planning that ensures comprehensive coverage and optimal implementation.
Estate Analysis
2-4 weeks
Comprehensive review of current estate structure, tax exposure, and family objectives.
Key Deliverables:
- Estate tax projection
- Liquidity analysis
- Current plan review
- Gap identification
Strategy Development
4-6 weeks
Design customized estate plan incorporating tax optimization and family goals.
Key Deliverables:
- Estate plan design
- Trust recommendations
- Gifting strategy
- Tax projections
Implementation
8-12 weeks
Execute estate plan with coordination of legal, tax, and financial professionals.
Key Deliverables:
- Legal document execution
- Trust funding
- Asset restructuring
- Implementation checklist
Ongoing Management
Annual reviews
Regular reviews and updates to ensure plan remains optimal as laws and circumstances change.
Key Deliverables:
- Annual plan review
- Tax law updates
- Strategy adjustments
- Performance reporting
Advanced Trust Structures
Sophisticated trust strategies for asset protection, tax efficiency, and controlled wealth distribution.
Remove life insurance from estate while providing liquidity for estate taxes
Key Benefits:
- Estate tax savings
- Asset protection
- Controlled distributions
Considerations:
- Irrevocable structure
- Crummey notices required
- Annual gifting needed
Provide income stream while ultimately benefiting charity with tax deduction
Key Benefits:
- Income tax deduction
- Capital gains deferral
- Income stream
Considerations:
- Charitable remainder
- Irrevocable commitment
- Investment management
Multi-generational wealth transfer avoiding estate taxes in perpetuity
Key Benefits:
- GST tax efficiency
- Perpetual wealth transfer
- Asset protection
Considerations:
- Complex structure
- State law variations
- Long-term commitment
Growth outside estate while grantor pays income taxes to enhance gift value
Key Benefits:
- Enhanced gifting
- Wealth transfer acceleration
- Tax efficiency
Considerations:
- Income tax burden
- Grantor trust status
- Gift tax implications
Charitable Giving Strategies
Tax-efficient charitable strategies that align your philanthropic goals with wealth transfer objectives.
| Strategy | Minimum | Tax Deduction | Control Level |
|---|---|---|---|
Donor-Advised Fund Flexible charitable giving vehicle with immediate tax deduction and advised distributions. | $5,000 | Full fair market value | Advisory privileges |
Private Foundation Permanent charitable entity providing maximum control and family involvement. | $1,000,000+ | Limited to 30% AGI | Complete control |
Charitable Lead Trust Provide charity with income stream while transferring remainder to family at reduced gift tax. | $2,000,000+ | Present value of annuity | Structured distribution |
Appreciated Asset Gifts Donate appreciated securities or property to avoid capital gains while receiving full deduction. | Varies | Full fair market value | Immediate or deferred |
Client Success Stories
See how our estate planning strategies have helped families preserve wealth and create lasting legacies.
"The estate planning process saved our family over $12M in projected estate taxes while ensuring a smooth business transition to the next generation. The trust structures were perfectly designed."
William Harrison
Family Business Owner
"Charitable giving strategies have allowed us to support causes we care about while significantly reducing our tax burden. The private foundation structure is working beautifully."
Margaret Steinberg
Philanthropist
"Sophisticated trust planning and annual gifting strategies have positioned our family for tax-efficient wealth transfer. The coordination with our tax and legal team has been seamless."
Robert Chen
Technology Executive
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about estate planning and wealth transfer strategies for high-net-worth families.
When should I start estate planning?
Estate planning should begin as soon as you have assets to protect or beneficiaries to provide for. For high-net-worth individuals, early planning provides more opportunities for tax-efficient wealth transfer and allows strategies to work over longer time periods.
What is the current federal estate tax exemption?
For 2023, the federal estate tax exemption is $12.92 million per individual ($25.84 million for married couples). This exemption is scheduled to decrease to approximately $6 million in 2026 unless Congress acts to extend current levels.
How do trust structures help with estate planning?
Trusts provide asset protection, tax efficiency, and controlled distributions. They can remove assets from your taxable estate while providing income or other benefits during your lifetime, and ensure assets are distributed according to your wishes.
What are the benefits of charitable giving in estate planning?
Charitable giving provides income tax deductions, can reduce estate taxes, allows you to support causes you care about, and can provide income streams through charitable remainder trusts while ultimately benefiting charity.
How often should I review my estate plan?
Estate plans should be reviewed annually and whenever there are significant life changes (marriage, divorce, births, deaths, business changes) or changes in tax laws. Regular reviews ensure your plan remains optimal and current.
Can estate planning help with business succession?
Yes, estate planning is crucial for business owners. It can help minimize taxes on business transfers, ensure smooth transitions, provide liquidity for estate taxes, and maintain family control while transferring ownership to the next generation.
Secure Your Family's Financial Legacy
Schedule a comprehensive estate planning consultation to explore sophisticated strategies for wealth preservation, tax optimization, and multi-generational wealth transfer.
Multi-generational planning • Tax optimization • Trust structures • Charitable strategies