At Curtin & Heefner LLP, we understand the importance of making sure a family’s financial future is properly planned. Our Estates, Trusts & Tax Group offers guidance and broad services in the planning of your financial matters. We have extensive experience with Wills, Living Wills, Powers of Attorney, Living Trusts, Trusts, and Estate Planning and Administration as well as Tax Planning for individuals, fiduciaries, executors, administrators and trustees.

Our estate, trust and tax attorneys will prepare and maintain an effective estate plan for the orderly distribution of the estate in accordance with our client’s wishes. We understand the importance of reducing unnecessary expenses and tax burdens. Our objective is to provide for our client’s needs now and throughout their lifetime as the laws and their needs change. We listen carefully to our client’s concerns and provide them with straightforward advice in order to present practical solutions that fit their needs.

Planning one’s financial future may seem like an overwhelming task, but with proper guidance and preparation, we believe our clients will not only save time and money, but will gain peace of mind. We have the integrity, experience and knowledge that have earned our client’s confidence and loyalty since 1932. Attentive personal service that meets our client’s needs has always been the hallmark of our firm.

Estate Planning Services

We provide a full range of service to clients, including: preparation of Wills, Durable Powers of Attorney, Living Wills, Revocable Trusts and Irrevocable Trusts. We prepare estate plans to minimize state inheritance taxes, federal estate taxes and gift taxes.

Succession and Tax Planning for Business Owners

We assist in the development of a business plan that takes into account both short and long term tax consequences, including transferring business interests either during the lifetime or at the death of the owner.

Elder Law

Although we review Medicaid planning and durable powers of attorney with all our estate planning clients, these and other issues, such as long term care planning and guardianship, become more important for our elderly clients and their families. Our goal is to develop a long-term relationship with our clients in order to assist our clients with these issues.

Estate and Trust Administration Services

We provide a full range of services including counseling executors, administrators and guardians regarding the administration process, including preparation of state inheritance tax returns, federal estate tax returns, and fiduciary income tax returns. We advise and assist fiduciaries in complying with the legal requirements of probate and trust administration.

Tax Planning for Individuals and Fiduciaries

We assist individuals with income tax planning and preparation. We also provide advice and counsel in various tax matters. The firm advises clients interested in making charitable gifts regarding planning to receive the maximum tax deduction for the charitable donation. The firm also assists executors, administrators and trustees with income tax planning and preparation of fiduciary tax returns.

Beneficiaries of Estates and Trusts

We provide advice to beneficiaries regarding their rights and interests in estates and trusts. If necessary, the firm will enforce the beneficiary’s rights through litigation or aggressive settlement negotiations.

Minors

We represent clients in court proceedings for the appointment of guardians of the person and estate of minors.