Estate Planning

    Request A Case Evaluation Or Tax Resolution Development Plan

    Get a Tax Resolution Development Plan from us first before you attempt to deal with the IRS. There are several options for you to meet or connect with Board Certified Tax Attorney Jeffrey B. Kahn. Jeff will review your situation and go over your options and best strategy to resolve your tax problems. This is more than a mere consultation. You will get the strategy or plan to move forward to resolve your tax problems! Jeff’s office can set up a date and time that is convenient for you. By the end of your Tax Resolution Development Plan Session, if you desire to hire us to implement the strategy or plan, Jeff would quote you our fees and apply in full the session fee paid for the Tax Resolution Development Plan Session.

    Types Of Initial Sessions:

    Most Popular GoToMeeting Virtual Tax Development Resolution Plan Session
    Maximum Duration: 60 minutes - Session
    Fee: $375.00 (Credited if hired*)
    Requires a computer, laptop, tablet or mobile device compatible with GoToMeeting. Please allow up to a 10-minute window following the appointment time for us to start the meeting. How secure is GoToMeeting? Your sessions are completely private and secure. All of GoToMeetings solutions feature end-to-end Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and 128-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption. No unencrypted information is ever stored on our system.


    Face Time or Standard Telephone Tax Development Resolution Plan Session
    Maximum Duration: 60 minutes - Session
    Fee: $350.00 (Credited if hired*)
    Face Time requires an Apple device. Please allow up to a 10-minute window following the appointment time for us to get in contact with you. If you are located outside the U.S. please call us at the appointed time.


    Standard Fee Face-To-Face Tax Development Resolution Plan Session
    Maximum Duration: 60 minutes - Session
    Fee: $600.00 (Credited if hired*)
    Session is held at any of our offices or any other location you designate such as your financial adviser’s office or your accountant’s office, your place of business or your residence.


    Jeff’s office can take your credit card information to charge the session fee which secures your session.

    * The session fee is non-refundable and any allotted duration of time unused is not refunded; however, the full session fee will be applied as a credit toward future service if you choose to engage our firm.

    The use, conservation, and transfer of one’s wealth should always include a well-thought-out estate plan that takes into consideration: (1) The increase in value of an existing estate so that the needs of the family are met; (2) The preservation and protection of the estate from unnecessary taxes and costs; and (3) The orderly administration and disposition of assets upon the death of the owner.Will lawyers can assist with the components of an estate plan.

    The typical documents in an estate plan are:

    Last Will & Testament

    Declaration stating the disposition of your property to be performed after your death and nominating the person to act as the personal representative.

    Designation of Healthcare Surrogate

    Appoints another person as an agent and confers authority on that person to consent to your medical treatment.

    Living Will

    Governs the withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment from an individual in the event of an incurable or irreversible condition that will cause death within a relatively short time.

    Durable Power of Attorney

    Appoints another person as an agent and confers authority on that person to perform certain acts or kinds of acts on your behalf.

    Trust

    Declaration created by a grantor for the benefit of designated beneficiaries which appoints a trustee to manage the trust assets and income for the economic benefit of all the beneficiaries. Such a trust may be revocable or irrevocable. Sometimes a revocable trust is called a “Living Trust.” By creating a trust, one can generally avoid the probate process and the statutory fees charged by by probate attorneys. California Probate Code §10810 sets the maximum on the fees, which vary according to the size of the estate. A California will, however, is often subject to probate.

    Basis Rules:

    • Transferred Basis: A person who receives property as a gift has the same basis as that of the transferor.
    • Stepped-up Basis: A person who receives property from an inheritance has a basis equal to the fair market value of the property at the decedent’s death.
    • From the perspective of the recipient of the property, the higher the basis of an asset the lower the gain that would be recognized upon a subsequent sale; therefore, a recipient usually prefers receiving property from an inheritance. However, this benefit must be evaluated against the donor’s estate tax rate which could be substantially higher. In such a case, it may be more advantageous to gift the property during the donor’s lifetime.

    Fundamental Strategies:

    • All Persons – Under $5,250,000
    • Objective: Avoid probate and guardianship, minimize clearance costs, and attain step-up in basis upon client’s death.
    • Solution: Establish and fund a Revocable Living Trust.

    Married Couples – Greater than $5,250,000, less than $10,500,000

    • Objective: Eliminate estate taxes from both estates, avoid probate and guardianship, minimize clearance costs, and attain step-up in basis for assets owned by each spouse upon death.
    • Solution: Each spouse establishes a Revocable Living Trust containing provisions to maximize each spouse’s Unified Credit and funds each trust with one-half of the marital estate.

    For information on Tax And Estate Planning For Same-Sex Couples, click here.

    For answers to your questions about estate planning or for estate tax help, contact the Law Offices of Jeffrey B. Kahn, P.C. For a prompt evaluation of your situation, we encourage you to complete our Estate Planning Questionnaire or call us toll-free at 866.494.6829 to schedule a consultation.