Practice Area: Estate Planning and Tax Matters

Estate Planning is exactly what it sounds like: a plan is made, in writing, directing the disposition of your estate at your death. An Estate Plan is more than just a will which announces where your assets will go. A well formed estate plan also provides for your care – both financially and personally – if you are disabled during your lifetime. If you have minor children, an estate plan helps you to make decisions for their care upon your death. It is also a way to make handling your Estate as easy as possible for the loved ones you leave behind.

Estate Planning often includes planning to allow transfer of your assets without resorting to probate court proceedings. It may involve planning to avoid federal estate tax. It usually involves drafting of wills, trusts and powers of attorney, but may also involve creation of family limited partnerships, charitable trusts, Qualified Personal Residence Trusts, Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts, family foundations and Employee Stock Ownership Plans. The attorneys at Learman, Sarow, Birchler, Fitzhugh & Purtell, PLC are experienced in all aspects of estate planning, including tax matters associated with these planning techniques.