- GuardianshipWhen necessary we represent clients in the legal proceedings for establishing and maintaining a legal guardianship for minor children or incapacitated adults. We also provide advice concerning alternatives to such proceedings, such as living trusts, minor’s trusts, powers of attorney, standby trusts, and advance directives for healthcare. In addition, we offer expertise in consulting with the family regarding qualification for Medicaid or other public assistance benefits and the financing of long-term care requirements.
- Business DisputesOwners of closely held businesses have unique estate planning needs which require special attention and expertise. The business entity is frequently the primary source of the family’s wealth, and it can also be the vehicle for preserving that wealth for future generations. Formulating the management succession plan, providing for a continued stream of income for a retired owner and a surviving spouse, treating children equitably in the process, and planning for liquidity needs are challenges which we tackle daily. In this multi-faceted area, our ability to unify the areas of business law, compensation planning, tax law, and estate planning is especially effective. We frequently are called on to devise plans for passing the business to a younger generation while minimizing gift and estate taxes and preserving an income stream for the older generation.
- Limited Liability CompaniesWhen our clients are ready to begin shifting family wealth to younger generations, it is vital that we determine whether they are prepared to shift control of the assets along with the economic benefits. We frequently design and implement specialized transfer vehicles such as family partnerships and limited liability companies, as well as special trusts which permit the client to retain certain income and control rights. Additionally our lawyers maintain a high level of proficiency in identifying and planning for long-term challenges presented by the onerous generation-skipping transfer tax.
- Employment ContractAs advisors to business owners, we are regularly engaged in the formation and operation of partnerships, joint ventures, corporations and limited liability companies. With our personal understanding of the owner’s individual objectives and priorities, we can advise on the alternatives available for continuity of ownership, and effectively design and prepare buy-sell agreements, voting agreements, employment contracts, and deferred compensation plans. We are also well equipped to advise clients on the tax implications of choosing the correct entity for the operation of the business and coordinating those issues with the client’s personal estate planning desires. For more information, please contact us to talk about your needs, plans and priorities without any charge or obligation.
- Construction LitigationJohn R. Grimes is a principal attorney of Lefkoff, Duncan, Grimes, McSwain & Hass, P.C. John concentrates his practice in real estate and business transactional and litigation matters to include matters involving real estate closings; foreclosure sales; creditor representation in bankruptcy matters related thereto; prosecution and defense in eviction, post-tax sale matters; construction disputes; and real estate title protection, title clearance and title dispute resolution or including resolution of estate and probate related disputes. His practice also includes the creation and organization small company size organizations and the negotiation and drafting of residential and commercial real estate sales, leases and construction related contracts and dispute resolution involving such organizations and/or the individuals involved therein.
- Real Estate TransactionsOur clients and their business entities often hold significant real estate assets and are regularly engaged in various real estate transactions, either through the conduct of their business or the management of their wealth. Many of the estates and trusts which we represent include substantial and diverse real estate holdings. We analyze a client’s needs and objectives in such transactions, so that the client fully understands his or her alternatives, along with the tax impact, costs and benefits associated with them. We are frequently asked to negotiate on behalf of our clients, and to prepare contracts, leases, joint venture or partnership agreements, and other documentation involved in such matters, and conduct closings. When our client is a lender in real estate transactions, we regularly handle the perfection of security interests and the enforcement of debt collection, including foreclosure, eviction and bankruptcy cases.
- Estate PlanningStacy W. Hanley is a principal attorney of Lefkoff, Duncan, Grimes, McSwain & Hass, P.C. Stacy practices primarily in the areas of tax and estate planning, probate, estate administration, real estate and closely held business matters. She was admitted to practice in Georgia in 1999.
- WillsDoug has been a frequent lecturer to professional groups and has published outlines and articles on generation-skipping tax planning, deferred compensation arrangements for business owners, estate planning for landowners, estate planning for closely-held business owners, and other estate planning and tax planning matters. He is co- author of “The InterActive™ Will and Trust Drafting System,” published by InterActive Professional Software for attorneys.
- TrustsDouglas W. Duncan is a principal attorney of Lefkoff, Duncan, Grimes, McSwain & Hass, P.C. Doug concentrates his practice in estate and business planning, administration of trusts and estates, intra family wealth transfers, and charitable giving. He advises a broad range of business owners in succession planning, sale and acquisition transactions, taxation, insurance, executive compensation plans and other closely-held business matters.
- Power of Attorney
- Probate
- Bankruptcy
- Foreclosure
- Tax LawJ.W personally meets with clients and advises and assists them with estate and probate matters. He provides sound advice to clients and implements sophisticated techniques to achieve their estate and tax planning needs.
- Debt Collection