SmithAmundsen’s Estate & Business Planning practice group works with clients to determine their goals and objectives and provide customized estate plans designed not only to protect them and their family members, but also to ensure that their desires and objectives are carried out.
SmithAmundsen has a broad and sophisticated estate planning and business succession planning practice that involves lifetime tax and business planning for individuals and businesses as well as estate and trust administration. Although the focus of the practice is on estate planning, it is our belief that this includes more than properly drafted wills and trust agreements. Therefore, we offer extensive experience in income tax and business planning for owners of closely held businesses, transfer tax minimization, real estate transactions, international taxation, and estate planning. In addition, we work with clients to develop and implement lifetime gift programs, insurance programs, and charitable giving programs appropriate to each client’s desires, needs, and resources.
Our attorneys regularly draft and administer complex estate plans for families and businesses, including:
- Wills and Related Transfer Documents
- Living Trusts
- Partnerships
- Guardianships and Conservatorships
- Charitable Trusts and Annuities
- Buy-sell and Limited Liability Company Operating Agreements
- Agreements to establish more advanced vehicles such as QPRT’s, GRAT’s, ILIT’s, 2503 (c), Minor’s Trusts, and GST Dynasty trusts.
In addition to preparing and administering these documents, we routinely consult with clients on strategic business planning among generations and provide counsel on:
- Asset Protection Planning
- Business Continuity and Succession Planning
- Planning with Executive Compensation Benefits and Qualified Plans
- Charitable Planning and Philanthropic Giving
- Tax Minimization Strategies
- Selection of Trustees
- Non-traditional Family Planning