Estate Tax Plan

A larger estate? Keep more for your family.

The federal estate tax takes 40 percent of everything over the exemption, $15,000,000 per person in 2026. Growth after the first death can push a family over the line, and the District of Columbia taxes estates over $4,988,400. We use both spouses’ exemptions and advanced tax planning to keep more of what you built for the people you love.

Call (844) 544-PLAN to schedule

The short answer

For most larger estates, planning starts with a credit shelter trust that uses both spouses’ exemptions and shelters growth. When an estate is well above the exemption, advanced strategies can move future growth out of your taxable estate.

Do this first

✓Add up everything, including life insurance, retirement accounts, and business interests

✓Note property in other states

✓Think about what you want to give during life, and to whom

What happens without a plan

What happens without tax planning

Growth after the first death

Without a plan

Everything the survivor inherits, plus its growth, is taxed at the second death.

With the Estate Tax Plan

A credit shelter trust keeps that growth out of the survivor’s estate.

Life insurance

Without a plan

Policies you own are counted in your taxable estate, even though the payout is income-tax free.

With the Estate Tax Plan

An irrevocable life insurance trust keeps the proceeds outside your estate.

Grandchildren

Without a plan

The separate exemption for gifts to grandchildren cannot pass to a spouse and can be lost.

With the Estate Tax Plan

A trust for your descendants can use it before it is lost.

Advanced tax planning

Tax planning tools we use

Credit shelter and marital trusts

Use both spouses’ exemptions and shelter growth after the first death.

How it works →

Irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT)

Keeps life insurance proceeds out of your taxable estate.

How it works →

Spousal lifetime access trust (SLAT)

Uses your exemption now while your spouse can still benefit.

How it works →

Grantor retained annuity trust (GRAT)

Moves future appreciation to your children with little or no gift tax.

How it works →

Dynasty and generation-skipping trusts

Protects wealth for grandchildren and beyond, using the generation-skipping exemption.

How it works →

Family LLCs and annual gifts

Shift value to family over time while you keep control.

How it works →

Charitable trusts

Reduce taxes while supporting causes you care about.

How it works →

Custom plans, flat fees

Advanced planning without the hourly bill.

Every advanced tax plan is custom, built around your assets, your family, and your goals, so the investment is quoted separately after we review your estate.

01Some firms bill tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands, of dollars in hourly fees for this kind of work.

02We do these plans for a flat rate, quoted in writing before any work begins.

03No meter running on phone calls, emails, or revisions. You know the number up front.

Questions

Common questions

Every family is different. A 15-minute call with a licensed attorney answers the rest.

MississippiCredit Shelter Trust Guide: Mississippi→ LouisianaCredit Shelter Trust Guide: Louisiana→ Washington, D.C.Credit Shelter Trust Guide: Washington, D.C.→

Do Mississippi or Louisiana have an estate tax?

No. Only the federal estate tax applies there. The District of Columbia has its own estate tax, with a much lower exemption.

Isn’t portability enough?

For some couples, yes. But the exemption your spouse inherits never grows, the generation-skipping exemption cannot be passed on, and portability does not work for DC tax.

When should we consider advanced planning?

When your estate is near or above the exemption, or growing quickly. Many strategies work best years before they are needed.

What does it cost?

A married couple’s complete trust-based plan with credit shelter provisions starts at $4,900, flat fee. Advanced tax plans are custom, so the investment is quoted separately, but always as a flat rate, unlike firms that bill tens or hundreds of thousands in hourly fees.

Keep more for the people you love.

In 15 minutes, a licensed attorney will tell you what your family needs and quote the flat fee in writing.

Call to schedule