Estate & Legacy Planning

Helping families prepare for the future

Estate planning allows individuals and families to decide how their assets will be managed, protected and transferred in the future. A well-designed plan can help reduce unnecessary taxes, provide for loved ones and ensure personal wishes are carried out.

Davie Kaplan works with individuals, families and their legal advisors to support estate planning strategies that reflect long-term financial goals. Our role focuses on the financial and tax considerations involved in estate planning so decisions support both current and future generations.

Estate planning is often associated with significant wealth, but many families benefit from having a plan in place. If you want to protect assets, support heirs or reduce tax exposure, estate planning can play an important role.

Planning for Future Generations

Estate planning involves more than preparing legal documents. It requires an understanding of tax implications, family goals and how assets will be managed over time.

Working with clients and their estate attorneys, Davie Kaplan helps evaluate how wealth may transfer to the next generation and what strategies may preserve more of those assets. Our professionals may assist with reviewing existing estate plans, analyzing ownership structures for business or investment assets and helping families understand the financial impact of planning decisions.

How We Support Estates, Trusts and Family Legacies

Estate planning can also involve financial responsibilities after a trust is established or an estate enters administration. Davie Kaplan provides accounting and tax support that helps families, trustees and attorneys manage these responsibilities with structure and organization.

Estate & Trust Administration

After a person passes away or a trust becomes active, there are often financial and tax responsibilities that must be addressed. Davie Kaplan assists executors, trustees and families with organizing financial records, preparing fiduciary tax filings and supporting the administrative process so estates and trusts can be managed properly.

Fiduciary Accounting Services

Estates and trusts often require specialized financial reporting and tax compliance. Davie Kaplan provides fiduciary accounting services for trustees, executors and estate attorneys responsible for administering these arrangements.

Our team assists with maintaining financial records, preparing fiduciary income tax returns and supporting court or judicial accounting when required.

Charitable and Legacy Planning

Many families include charitable giving as part of their estate plan. This can allow individuals to support causes that matter to them while also considering the financial and tax impact of those gifts.

Davie Kaplan helps clients evaluate charitable planning strategies that align with their broader estate and financial planning goals.

Connecting Estate Planning with Broader Financial Planning

Estate planning often intersects with other financial decisions, including tax planning, financial planning and business ownership.

Many clients also work with Davie Kaplan for Tax Planning & Compliance, Planning for Business Owners or Financial Planning as part of a coordinated long-term approach. When needed, our CPAs and financial advisors work alongside one another so tax and financial planning considerations can be evaluated together.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should consider estate planning?

Estate planning can benefit anyone who wants to determine how assets will be managed or distributed in the future. Even families with relatively straightforward financial situations often benefit from having a plan in place.

Does estate planning only apply to the very wealthy?

No. While estate planning can help reduce taxes for larger estates, it is also valuable for families and individuals who want assets to transfer smoothly and personal wishes to be carried out.

How does Davie Kaplan work with estate attorneys?

Davie Kaplan focuses on the financial and tax aspects of estate planning while working alongside attorneys who prepare legal documents such as wills and trusts. This collaboration helps connect legal planning with financial and tax considerations.

What is fiduciary accounting?

Fiduciary accounting involves maintaining financial records and preparing tax filings for estates and trusts during the administration process. This work may be required for executors, trustees or attorneys responsible for managing those assets.

What happens if an estate has not been fully administered?

In some situations, estates or trusts remain incomplete because records are missing or tax returns have not been filed. Davie Kaplan can assist fiduciaries and families in organizing financial information and addressing outstanding administrative or tax responsibilities.

Discuss Your Estate Planning Needs

Estate planning decisions can affect your family, your assets and the people responsible for carrying out your wishes. Davie Kaplan helps clients, families and advisors address the financial and tax considerations that support a well-structured plan.

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