Practice Areas
Estate Planning
We advise our clients in all facets of their estate plans, which encompass the drafting and planning for the disposition of property and for the preservation of wealth from taxes and potential or future creditors through the use of various planning techniques, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Wills
- Revocable (living) trusts
- Irrevocable gift trusts (grantor and complex) for children and grandchildren
- Life insurance trusts
- Limited partnerships, limited liability companies, and other corporate entities
- Lifetime gifts
- Intra-family loans and sales
- Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts and Unitrusts
- Qualified Personal Residence Trusts
- Disability Planning Documents, including financial powers of attorney, medical powers of attorney, directives to physicians (living wills), HIPA Authorizations, and Declarations of Guardian
Trust and Estate Administration
An integral part of our practice involves the administration of trusts and estates, including independent (and on a selective basis, dependent) and ancillary probate procedures, guardianships, preparation of U.S. Estate tax returns, Gift tax returns, audit negotiations with the Internal Revenue Service, preparation of tax protests, private letter ruling requests, and coordinating dissolution of partnerships and closely held corporations.
Business Continuation Planning
Many of our clients are owners of closely held businesses. We consult with them on business continuation planning, including formation of closely held businesses, buy-sell agreements, business recapitalizations, certain non-qualified deferred compensation agreements, and family business succession planning.
Charitable Planning
Charitable planning is another important facet of our practice, including charitable remainder trusts, charitable lead trusts, and the creation of private foundations and other exempt organizations in connection with charitable planning. We also represent public charities with respect to incorporation and qualification for tax-exempt status, compliance matters, and best governance practices.
Fiduciary Representation and Estate and Trust Controversy Matters
We represent fiduciaries and coordinate fiduciary litigation matters, including fiduciary liability issues, will contests, and trust modification and construction issues.
Marital Property Issues
We also advise our clients on the Texas community property system and related marital property matters, including premarital and postmarital property agreements between spouses.
