The Private Client Group draws upon the resources of the Tax Group and International Group and provides a range of services among several Practice Areas including Domestic Estate Planning, International Estate Planning, Private Client Tax, Estate & Gift Tax, Probate and Trust Administration, and Citizenship and Residency Planning. The Firm’s dedication to these disciplines embodies its focus on serving individuals and families for their estate planning requirements by delivering tailored solutions to challenging issues and situations.
 
Within the Private Client Group, we provide a range of services tailored to our clients’ objectives and needs. On Tax matters involving the Practice Group, the Firm’s attorneys approach tax cases with a vast array of experience in both the underlying legal concepts and the application of our knowledge and expertise in the context of advising HNW individuals and families. For those clients with international assets and/or planning requirements, our International Estate Planning Practice is skilled at advising on a wide range of complex cases and issues impacting both U.S. and international clients.

At its core, estate planning involves three fundamental elements: (i) the efficient transfer of assets, (ii) to the desired recipient, (iii) pursuant to the stated terms and conditions defined by the client.  Working from this “core” our services expand outward to build on these fundamental elements and meld the client’s specific goals with other business, family, economic, and jurisdictional concerns.

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Individual Clients

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For individual and families where estate taxation is less relevant, important planning considerations are addressed including:

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• planning to avoid probate,

• planning for the transfer of wealth to desired recipients,

• planning for the care and maintenance of minor children,

• designating agents to act when there is an event or disability resulting in the incapacity of a client, and

• ensuring that important charitable and philanthropic bequests are coordinated and properly funded.

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For individual and families with larger and more complex cases, the basic foundational issues in estate planning are simply one part of a much larger process that generally involves significant analysis of detailed financial data and the delivery of comprehensive tax and strategic advice. Given our expertise and experience in working with high-net worth individuals and families we deploy a range of strategies to address the vast demands and requirements of these discerning clients including:

 

• strategies in mitigating and planning for estate tax implications,

• advice on addressing income tax concerns on a state and/or country level,

• counseling on the design, implementation and administration of family governance structures,

• advice on gifting strategies for substantial philanthropic purposes,

• planning for the ownership and tax management of high-value assets and,

• participation on global advisory teams overseeing the administration and management of expansive fortunes.

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Institutional Clients

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For institutional clients, our work is tailored to:

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• advice on particular trust structures, holding company issues and tax planning,

• providing opinion letters on estate planning and income, estate and gift tax matters,

• advice on best practices and protocols and the development of standardized procedures applicable to a broader client base,

• case-specific diligence and opinions as to structures and transactions and,

• educational programs for institutions, their staff and clients, on key U.S. income tax, estate tax, and estate planning knowledge points.

 

The professionals within our Private Client Group approach our work in these challenging practice areas armed with experience, enthusiasm and a command of a complex matrix of laws, cutting edge planning techniques and a profound understanding of the various issues facing individuals and families of wealth.