Estate Planning

Practice Group Overview

Cipriani & Werner, P. C., is dedicated to providing comprehensive, highly personalized estate planning services to individuals, families, and business owners. We serve our clients by listening closely to their goals and concerns. We work with our clients to develop flexible plans that reflect each client’s unique circumstances. Our estate planning process is grounded in our commitment to help clients understand the security and peace of mind that can be obtained with proper planning. The foundation of a thorough plan is the benefit of planning for the clients in advance of disability and for their loved ones continuing financial well being, not simply saving tax dollars. We put our knowledge and experience to work for your peace of mind and for the benefit of your loved ones. As in each of its practice areas, Cipriani & Werner, P. C., maintains the highest standards of client services and lawyer accessibility for our estate planning clients. Each planning engagement includes setting dates for completion of the steps involved and frequently has a fixed fee agreed upon with the clients. Each client is provided the opportunity to participate in the design of the customized plans. We work to provide the essential knowledge and understanding for the creation and implementation of adaptable estate plans. Our attorneys participate in national, state and regional estate planning professional organizations and continuing education programs to keep up with the most current information on advanced estate planning concepts, strategies and changes in the law. This information is provided to clients and prospective clients through various newsletters and public presentations. Workshops and seminars are conducted for accountants, financial planners, insurance professionals, other attorneys, charitable organizations and the public. We enjoy working with other professional advisors in a collaborative effort to accomplish the goals and objectives of our mutual clients. Prospective clients are encouraged to attend these workshops as they initiate their planning process. Representative planning tools to consider in designing your estate plans: Living trusts appropriately designed and implemented to permit transfer of assets within four weeks of the death of the surviving parent. Administration of the estate continues while the beneficiaries enjoyed use of the property. Administrative costs and counsel fees are kept below two percent of the assets. Life insurance trusts established to minimize gift taxes, control the distribution of the eventual proceeds, and reduce federal estate taxes by hundreds of thousands of dollars. Wills prepared with contingent trusts for minor and maturing children to control appropriate application of life insurance and other estate assets. Creative directions for supporting the guardian’s ability to provide a home for the minor children. Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP) to enable the sale of a business to employees with capital gains taxes deferred. The equity built up through funding of the ESOP encourages lender participation for financing the final installment payment to the majority stockholders. Buy Sell Agreement to protect both the parents as sellers and the children’s interests as buyers of a family run business. Participation in an on-going updating program to assure the clients of the full benefit of their customized estate planning design.

Practice Group Attorneys Dennis Cullen David Radcliff