Overview
Our trusts and estate planning group works with clients and clients' advisory team members to identify personal goals. We then customize an estate plan to achieve these objectives. Our broad and sophisticated trusts and estate planning practice addresses tax and estate planning opportunities for individuals and businesses of all sizes.
Estate Planning
Many individuals perceive estate planning to be a daunting process. Our attorneys explain estate planning options in detail, making sure clients are well informed and understand the documents used to implement their goals. Our experience enables our clients to reduce or eliminate estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes, to avoid or minimize the probate process, and to provide tools to adapt to unforeseeable circumstances.
In addition to creating estate plans, we strive to develop strong relationships with our clients. At our clients’ request, we periodically review their estate plans and make certain the plan evolves with changing financial and personal circumstances, as well as changes in the law.
Estate Administration
We realize that even a well-drafted plan may lead to estate disputes. We work closely with estate and trust fiduciaries to ensure their obligations are met. In the event an estate dispute cannot be peacefully resolved, our attorneys guide fiduciaries and beneficiaries through litigation to enforce their rights and recover what they are entitled to.
Wealth Management
Our trusts and estate planning practice utilizes legal and tax techniques to achieve the financial objectives of our clients. Our team of attorneys work in concert with our clients’ other advisers to develop a plan that encompasses our clients’ goals, relationships, commitments, and resources.
Business Planning
We have substantial experience in the area of business planning for owners of closely held businesses, including extensive experience in transfer and partnership issues. We assist clients in the integration of business planning techniques and estate planning by providing advice on the tax and non-tax issues related to the transfer of family businesses, including capital structure reorganizations, buy-sell arrangements, gift programs, and valuation issues.
Areas of Focus
Our attorneys understand that creating and maintaining estate planning documents is an important step in the process in order to ensure our clients’ wishes are properly carried out, that their assets are properly handled, and that their business and other interests are properly managed. To assist clients in this process, the attorneys in our estate planning practice regularly draft and administer complex estate plans for families and businesses, including:
- Wills and Related Transfer Documents
- Living Trusts
- Life Insurance Trusts
- Private Foundations
- Charitable Trusts
- Gift Trusts
- Dynasty Trusts
- Family Limited Partnerships
- Intentionally Defective Trusts
- Marital Property Agreement
- Power of Attorney
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
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Experience
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Insights
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In the Media
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Events
Published Works
Blog Posts
- Navigating the Future: Essential Steps for Estate Planning After the Loss of a Loved One
Navigating the Future: Essential Steps for Estate Planning After the Loss of a Loved OneDeath is never an easy subject to discuss. No matter how many times it touches our lives, it never gets any easier. Every time a loved one is taken from us, the pain is fresh, and it lasts. Coupled with the pain is the stress and uncertainty when left in charge of the estate of a family member or friend. Sure, when they asked you to take on the responsibility, you took it on without hesitation, because of the importance of the task and the bond you had with them. But now you are left wondering – what do I do?
- Protect Your Estate
Protect Your EstateOn January 15th Drew MacDonald presented Protect Your Estate to a community group in Appleton, WI. During this presentation, Drew explained estate planning options, strategies and tools that can be used to protect and preserve assets, estates, and legacies.
- New Gift and Estate Tax Exemption Limits for 2024
New Gift and Estate Tax Exemption Limits for 2024The Internal Revenue Service has announced the new limits for the Gift and Estate Tax Exemption for 2024, the amount of taxable gifts that can be made during lifetime and/or the amount that can be passed at death without being subject to gift or estate tax. The new limit for an individual is $13.61 million, up from the $12.92 million limit of 2023.
- Amundsen Davis Attorneys Included in 2023 Wisconsin Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists!
Amundsen Davis Attorneys Included in 2023 Wisconsin Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists!We are pleased to announce the inclusion of 12 attorneys on the 2023 Wisconsin Super Lawyers® list and 6 attorneys on the 2023 Wisconsin Rising StarsSM list.