Tax & Estate Planning

Estate PlanningWe have a strong reputation as one of the premier firms for providing sophisticated tax and estate planning in the St. Louis area to individuals and closely-held businesses. Our attorneys carefully review with each client the client’s individual circumstances and provide advice specifically tailored to those circumstances. Many attorneys in the estate and tax planning practice group hold advanced degrees concentrating in tax law. Several attorneys teach tax courses as adjunct faculty members.

In the estate planning area, our firm uses various techniques and strategies for avoiding probate, minimizing or eliminating estate taxes, and providing owner succession planning for all type of businesses. Some examples of the types of techniques that are commonly used include:

  • Wills and Revocable Trusts
  • Irrevocable Trusts
  • Charitable Trusts & Charitable Foundations
  • Health Care Declarations, Living Wills, & Health Care Powers of Attorney
  • Asset Protection Strategies
  • Insurance Trusts and Gift Planning
  • Special Needs Trusts
  • Family Limited Partnerships

In addition, our estate planning attorneys provide probate and trust administration services, including the filing of estate, gift, and income tax returns, and are experienced in handling guardianship matters and probate and trust litigation.

Our attorneys regularly advise clients in developing effective tax strategies for individual businesses, including mergers and acquisitions, business restructuring, and executive compensation strategies. We provide tax advice to clients when they form, operate, and terminate or sell businesses, and we also advise clients on the use of tax-deferral strategies where available and appropriate, including tax-deferred like-kind exchanges. The Tax and Estate Planning Practice Group assists clients with retirement and benefit plan structure and compliance.

Finally, several of our attorneys are experienced in handling tax controversy matters, including IRS appeals, appeals with the Missouri State Tax Commission, and appeals with the Missouri Department of Revenue. Many of our attorneys are licensed to practice before the United States Tax Court.