Estate Planning

As the population ages, more and more family business will be faced with the dilemma of how to pass the family business on to the next generation. In addition, the phenomenal growth in the stock market in recent years has created many new millionaires. With estate tax rates going as high as 55%, the potential cost to a family estate can be devastating. Through proper estate planning, family businesses, farms and other assets can be preserved by minimizing the effect of estate taxes. We can help with the planning and administration of estates and trusts in areas such as:

• Credit-shelter (family) trusts
• Gift planning
• Family limited partnerships
• Charitable Trusts
• Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts
• Post-mortem estate planning
• Estate administration, accounting and reporting requirements
• Preparation of estate tax (form 706)
• Estate and Trust income tax returns (form 1041)

As your most trusted financial advisor, a CPA is uniquely qualified to assist you and your attorney with the estate planning process. Your CPA is already familiar with your most intimate financial details and can therefore provide valuable insight toward achieving your estate and financial planning goals.