We want to provide every estate planning client with a comprehensive, flexible, and reliable estate plan that effectuates their intent, protects their assets from excess taxes and long-term care costs, promotes family harmony, and leaves a lasting legacy. We believe the vast majority of the people who are completing estate planning documents, such as Wills, Trusts, and Durable Powers of Attorney, are underserved. Tom has seen countless clients come into his office with a big heavy padded binder full of documents that they either obtained from an online service or an attorney, and they have little to no idea what they actually say or do. When you leave our office, we want you to be sure and confident that you know what your plan does and how it will be carried out.

When a loved one dies, the family is left with many questions. “What do we do with the Will?” “What bills do we pay?” “What taxes will we owe?” “Do we have to go through probate?”

We recognize that finding answers to these questions can cause added stress and fatigue. Our goal is to provide you with simple answers, determine whether a probate proceeding is necessary, and provide you with practical strategies on how to minimize taxes and administer the estate in a timely fashion.

Tax Preparation

For most clients, it is unlikely that you’ll ever hear us say, “Sorry you’ll have to go talk to your CPA for tax advice.” Tom has an advanced law degree, called a Masters of Laws (LL.M.), in taxation. Unlike most tax attorneys, he also prepares income tax returns. We believe that the proverbial “rubber meets the road” on the tax return itself, and preparing tax returns gives a first-hand, in-depth, and practical understanding of the day-to-day tax issues that affect our clients.

Tax Planning

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This is especially true in the world of tax planning. If you are waiting until you prepare your tax return to begin thinking about taxes for the year, then you are typically too late. The tax law is so vast that it takes a professional tax advisor to provide comprehensive tax planning advice. We offer simple and advanced tax strategies to businesses, individuals, trusts, and estates in order to minimize and defer federal and state estate, gift, excise, and income taxes.

Our business clients face a variety of issues, including which entity to choose, how to minimize state and federal income and employment taxes, how to character employees and independent contractors, and how to structure business purchases and sales. We can provide you with answers and strategies to address all of these issues and more from formation to liquidation.

This is the least favorite topic to discuss for most of our clients. After talking with clients, we typically find that their primary concerns involve avoiding the nursing home, protecting their assets from the costs of long-term care, and not becoming a burden on their family members. Our job is to inform clients of the different strategies to meet their goals, whether they are immediately facing the reality of long-term care for themselves, a spouse, or family member, or whether they would like to put a plan together to meet these goals for the future.