Estate, trust & probate

Our work in estate and trust planning, probate and business succession services are the fastest growing areas of practice. Recent changes in the estate tax laws require that we take a fresh look at planning ideas and objectives. We work with our clients to ensure they have fully considered their plans and objectives in light of legislative changes.

Charitable and non-charitable trusts are tools our clients frequently use. Our experience in drafting and reviewing many different trust documents provides clients with multiple options for the protection and distribution of wealth on their terms. While we do not invest or manage large trust assets, if circumstances are appropriate we will act as trustee for our clients. As such we will provide administrative services such as fiduciary reporting, oversight of trust asset management and trust distributions as well as tax planning and compliance services.

We also provide probate and estate administration services. As families continue to be mobile and geographically dispersed, we find they have an increased need for assistance in administering estates. Thus, we often fill the administrative role previously performed by family members.

Business succession & transition planning

Business succession planning is a prevalent need as the baby-boomer generation looks toward a well-deserved retirement. Clients may want to sell a business or create a smooth transition to key employees who may or may not be related to them. We act as advisors to analyze, consult, document and oversee all steps necessary to execute a successful transition of a closely-held business while meeting the comfort level of our client. We often help coordinate a team of consultants to assist with such issues as insurance, valuation, investment management and retirement planning.

Business transactions & consulting

We assist many clients in the formation of new companies and operation of existing firms. Amicus acts as general counsel to businesses, providing necessary legal documentation for company records and operations and offers strategic planning services like assisting with ownership transition issues and transaction planning. We also have the expertise on staff to prepare federal, state and local tax returns and provide basic accounting assistance.

Non-profit & charitable gift planning

We help individuals and corporations plan and structure gifts to accomplish their objectives while producing the best tax and financial results for the donors. Often we structure these gifts in the form of charitable trusts and endowments. Amicus also works closely to problem-solve with educational and other non-profit organizations that have charitable giving programs already in place.

We have a tremendous amount of experience in the formation of new charitable entities such as operating organizations, private foundations and supporting organizations.

Personal satisfaction is a key benefit we derive from helping clients support charitable entities.

Tax consulting

Many of our client relationships started with tax planning and consulting (including interactions with the IRS). Since our clients have continuing needs for assistance with ever more complex tax codes we are able to provide the planning services needed to address these complexities. Amicus offers tax planning and consulting in all of our practice areas.

Tax Controversy & IRS Disputes

Amicus represents individuals, businesses, and estates in all phases of civil tax controversy. Our team of tax attorneys and in-house CPAs are uniquely equipped to provide comprehensive, efficient representation to our clients facing disputes with the IRS or the Washington Department of Revenue.

We represent clients in all facets of a civil tax controversy including: Audit and Examinations, Appeals, Preparation and Amendment of Prior-Year Returns, Audit Reconsiderations, U.S. Tax Court Litigation, Collections Actions (including Liens and Levies), Collection Due Process Hearings, Offers in Compromise, Installment Agreements, Innocent Spouse Relief, Penalty Abatement, Voluntary Disclosure Programs.

While receiving deficiency notices or getting audited by the IRS is stressful, we can work with you to make the process is as efficient and painless as possible.

Self-directed IRA consulting & formation

Another rapidly expanding area for the firm is our self-directed IRA consulting and formation practice. This very specialized area of tax law involves helping clients meet their goals of investing retirement assets in "alternative" types of investments (e.g. real estate, promissory notes, privately-held companies, precious metals, etc.), while staying in compliance with the applicable legal framework. We have extensive knowledge and experience working with hundreds and hundreds of individual clients (and groups of clients) to help them navigate the pitfalls and achieve their investment objectives.

We have the expertise to counsel clients on numerous aspects of self-directed IRA structures, including: identifying specialized custodians that will hold the IRA; formation and funding of a wholly-owned LLC, in order to make IRA investment more efficient ("checkbook control"); guidance regarding the specific legal ramifications of investing in the manner proposed by the client; and, advice regarding the potential current tax consequences (e.g. "Unrelated Business Taxable Income") of investing the IRA in a self-directed manner.