We provide estate, tax and business planning, estate administration, and estate litigation services for individuals and families. We tailor our services to meet the personal goals, desires and family dynamics of our clients.
Estate Planning
Our planning services range from Essential Planning and Traditional Planning, to the most innovative and sophisticated planning techniques. We tailor clients’ plans for the accumulation, preservation, administration and tax-efficient distribution of wealth. Our plans are developed to meet our clients’ expectations and to meet the individual situations we encounter. We assist our clients with weighing the benefits, risks, complexity and practical aspects of every plan, and our planning techniques help minimize taxes and maximize asset protection. Most important, we strive to keep it simple and understandable.
We inform and advise clients about each phase in the planning process which consists of three interrelated steps: (1) planning and document execution; (2) implementation of the plan; and (3) administration of the plan. We also encourage our clients to discuss with family members the estate plan upon completion. This discussion leads to realistic expectations among family members and lessens the likelihood of disputes.
Our Essential Planning services include the preparation and implementation, at a fixed fee, of the following vital planning documents: wills (with testamentary issues trusts if applicable), powers of attorney, health care powers of attorney, living wills and HIPAA authorizations. Every client should, at minimum, have these documents as they are essential to protect and provide for one’s family.
Our Traditional Planning services include our Essential Planning documents plus revocable trusts with A/B trust planning, portability planning or disclaimer trust planning.
SKO’s more sophisticated and comprehensive estate, tax and business planning services include the preparation and implementation of Delaware trusts; family protection trusts; dynasty trusts; grantor trusts; charitable trusts; insurance trusts; IRA trusts; qualified personal residence trusts; grantor retained annuity trusts; educational trusts; special needs trusts; private family foundations; charitable lead and remainder trusts; family limited partnership formations; limited liability company formation; business succession documents including buy/sell agreements; and many other estate planning and related business documents.
Estate Administration
We diligently represent clients in the preparation and filing of estate and inheritance tax returns and any ensuing audits; the collection of assets and payment of legally owed debts and liabilities of the decedent; the protection of the estate plan adopted by the decedent; and all aspects of the estate administration and probate process. We assist in determining the type and scope of any necessary valuation and in locating and engaging professional appraisers, if needed, to conduct the valuation. We also review with clients the various tax elections, disclaimer options and other post-death planning opportunities available to minimize taxes and protect the planning intended by the decedent.
Trust & Estate Litigation
If challenges and disputes arise, SKO’s Trust & Estate Litigation practice can step in to provide comprehensive representation to resolve disputes as quickly and cost-efficiently as possible. Our attorneys in this practice have thorough experience and make every effort to employ mediation or alternative means of resolution as quickly and satisfactorily as possible. Visit our Trust & Estate Litigation page to learn more.