Customizing Gift Planning Solutions To Protect Your Family’s Wealth

As an affluent entrepreneur, you know that a basic estate plan will not provide the legal safeguards you need to protect your legacy and your beneficiaries. If you own complex assets and multiple properties throughout California, advanced estate planning strategies can help you minimize your tax obligations so that your loved ones can receive the inheritance they deserve.

At Gadzo Law, P.C., our team of lawyers regularly designs sophisticated plans for wealthy families in Silicon Valley and the surrounding communities. Our partners, Alexandra Gadzo and Robyn Zorea, hold LL.M. degrees in Taxation. In addition, Alexandra is one of the few estate planning Board-Certified Specialists in the Bay Area. Our attorneys draw on their extensive insight to resolve intricate estate planning matters that include gift planning.

Structuring A Gift Trust To Safeguard Your Assets

Creating a gift trust allows high net worth individuals to protect their family’s wealth by limiting tax liabilities when assets and property are transferred to children and grandchildren. Our lawyers take a hands-on approach when developing a strategy that uses tax-free gifting techniques, such as direct payments of medical and educational expenses.

When you consult with us, we will identify the tool that allows you to achieve your goals. We are equipped to establish a variety of gift trusts and other legal instruments, that include:

• “Crummey trusts,” 529 plans and other annual exclusion gifting vehicles
• Exemption trusts
• Dynasty trusts
• Grantor retained annuity trusts (GRAT)
• Qualified personal residence trusts (QPRT)
• Irrevocable life insurance trusts (ILIT)

After we have determined the best solution for your needs, we will help structure payments to the trust that avoid incurring a gift tax and allow you to reduce estate taxes after your passing.

Designing A Charitable Gifting Plan To Achieve Your Goals

Our attorneys also help clients:

• Create charitable remainder trusts
• Structure charitable gift annuities
• Establish donor advised funds
• Develop private foundations

Our charitable gift plans provide numerous immediate and long-term benefits to the settlor and the settlor’s beneficiaries.

We structure charitable remainder trusts that:

• Allow settlors to reduce annual tax bills for five years
• Receive income from the trust assets
• Reduce estate taxes on the assets or property transferred to the trust

If you choose to create this type of trust, we will help you select an IRS-approved charity that aligns with your goals. It is critical that this organization is properly vetted because, once the irrevocable trust is established, you will no longer control the assets or property it contains.

Throughout the estate planning process, Alexandra and Robyn remain mindful of the implications your decisions have on your legacy and your loved ones. You can rely on us to advise you honestly and identify the most favorable approach for your needs.

Learn More Today

To schedule your consultation at our Los Altos firm, call 650-397-9300 or email our team.