Estates and Succession Planning

Whether you are a successful business owner or someone who has accumulated wealth, a properly thought–out, designed and implemented estate plan should be a major priority in order that your wishes are realized, at retirement or following death.   Regardless of the size of your estate, dying intestate without a will is not a prudent or effective estate planning approach.

Jim works with you and your other advisors to design a practical tax efficient estate plan that meets your objectives, from lifestyle as well as wealth management and business succession standpoints, and provides peace of mind as well as continuity in the business. 

Sometimes, the plan could call for inter vivos trusts during your lifetime, or for an estate freeze of your investment in your family business to lock or freeze the estate’s tax liability and permit the involvement of the next generation of your family in the ownership and management of the business.

We also assist clients in the administration of the estate, including obtaining Certificates of Appointment of Estate Trustee (with or without a will), as well as providing advice or assistance in the disposition and distribution of the estate’s assets.

Our areas of estate and succession planning services include:

• Wills (including private company and mail wills to reduce estate administration taxes)
• Continuing powers of attorney for property and personal care
• Family trusts (whether during the lifetime of the client or contained in a will)
• Estate Administration Services