At Our Firm, Your Estate Plan Is Not Business, It’s Personal
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Advanced Tax Planning
Protecting Your Legacy: Strategic Estate & Death Tax Planning
When you’ve spent a lifetime building your assets, the last thing you want is for a significant portion of your hard-earned legacy to be diverted to taxes. In California, while we don’t currently have a state-level inheritance tax, Federal Estate Taxes can still take a massive bite-up to 40%-out of larger estates.
Our firm specializes in sophisticated tax mitigation strategies designed to keep your wealth where it belongs: with your family and your chosen causes.
Why Tax Planning Matters Now
The landscape of estate law is constantly shifting. With the potential for federal exemption limits to “sunset” or decrease in the coming years, even moderately wealthy families may find themselves subject to the death tax.
Strategic planning allows you to:
- Minimize or Eliminate Federal Estate Taxes: Utilizing trusts and gifting strategies to reduce your taxable estate.
- Avoid Capital Gains Taxes: Structuring assets so your heirs receive a “step-up in basis,” potentially saving them millions in future taxes.
- Protect Against “The Double Tax”: Managing Generation-Skipping Transfer (GST) taxes for long-term family legacies.
Our Specialized Tax Planning Toolkit
We don’t believe in “cookie-cutter” wills. We use advanced legal instruments tailored to the specific nuances of California property law and federal tax codes.
| Strategy | How it Protects You |
|---|---|
| Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs) | Removes life insurance proceeds from your taxable estate, providing liquidity to pay taxes without selling off family assets. |
| Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRATs) | Allows you to pass appreciation on assets to heirs with little to no gift tax consequences. |
| Family Limited Partnerships (FLPs) | Provides a way to shift wealth to the next generation while maintaining control and utilizing valuation discounts. |
| Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRTs) | Reduces your taxable estate while providing you with income and supporting a cause you care about. |
A Proactive Approach for California Residents
California’s high property values-especially in real estate-mean many residents hit federal tax thresholds sooner than they realize. Whether you are concerned about Prop 19 consequences for inherited property or navigating the complexities of Step-up in Basis rules, our team provides the clarity you need.
Note: Effective estate tax planning isn’t just about what happens when you pass; it’s about creating a living strategy that provides you with peace of mind today.
Secure Your Family’s Future
Don’t let the government become your primary beneficiary. Let’s look at your portfolio and determine the most tax-efficient path forward.
