Related Practices
Practice Chair(s)
Knowing the law is not enough. Our estate planning attorneys work to understand your objectives in order to frame their recommendations accordingly.
Overview
Estate, Trusts & Income Tax Planning & Estate Administration
Chamberlain Hrdlicka possesses one of the largest and most accomplished estate planning and administration groups in the South and Southwest. There is no substitute for experience, and many of our lawyers in the group have been practicing in this field of law for many years. Clients know they can depend on our depth of experience to help them achieve their objectives today and for generations to come.
Our expertise in tax and business issues is the perfect foundation for the estate plans we develop for individuals, families and business owners. We understand how the system works, and we know how to structure plans that take full advantage of every key provision of the tax code. Since the potential tax consequence at death can often surpass 50 percent, it is worth investigating all avenues to assist a family in retaining as much wealth as the law will allow.
Honor The Past, Prepare For The Future
Knowing the law is not enough. Our estate planners work to understand your objectives to frame their recommendations accordingly. Every individual has a different perspective, different needs and different goals. We believe that imposing any type of “formula solution” is unfair to you and your family members. We prefer to listen first, then act on what you tell us. When we develop a plan, it fully reflects the input and directions we have received in our in-depth interviews with you. With our help, it becomes your plan.
Goals of This Generation
We bring a long-term perspective to our assignments. As we address the needs of the surviving spouse and children, we also keep an eye toward generations to come. Elements put in place today can have a profound effect on how wealth is retained and administered in the future. Our collective expertise addresses the challenges and stands the test of time. If you own a business, we take the necessary steps to ensure continuity and value for family members, shareholders, employees and customers. We work with you to establish goals and then to implement them efficiently and effectively. The final decisions are always yours — but we provide you with the information and counsel you need to confidently make good decisions.
Estate Administration Assistance To Help Families Move Ahead
The estate administration duties that accompany the loss of a loved one can prove burdensome, even overwhelming, to the survivors. We approach estate administration with care. We assist when and where needed, applying appropriate elements of post-mortem planning and ensuring that key deadlines and documents are handled in a timely and proper manner. We appreciate that there are hundreds of things you would rather do than focus on these responsibilities. With our assistance and follow-through, all of the elements of administering an estate can fall properly into place. To us, estate administration also has two parts: honor the past and prepare for the future.
A Complete Range Of Tools Wielded By Experienced Professionals
Chamberlain Hrdlicka helps you build a plan and then assists you in its implementation, using proven techniques and tools to produce the desired results. We adjust our approach to meet your needs. The degree of sophistication and complexity involved depends solely on your needs and best interests.
When Even the Best Estate Planning Documents Can’t Avoid a Family Drama
We work with our clients to fashion estate plans and trust provisions that minimize the possibility of family conflict. Things like drafting crystal clear language in your estate planning documents and selecting the right people to serve as your fiduciaries (e.g. the executor of your Will or trustee of your trusts) go a long way to reduce the likelihood of litigation among family members. Unfortunately, family disputes and disagreements related to estates and trusts happen more frequently than we would hope. In the event family discord arises and leads to family members taking overtly adversarial positions, we have the knowledge and experience to help address those unfortunate situations. For example, we can work with the client to pursue methods of settling differences short of outright litigation such as mediation and arbitration. Our litigation team has a wealth of experience in the probate and trust area and we work closely with them when necessary to achieve the best possible outcome for our clients.
Areas of Expertise
- Wills
- Revocable trusts
- Family Offices
- Planning for incapacity, including powers of attorney and health care declarations
- Gifting techniques and strategies
- International estate planning, including offshore trusts
- Life insurance planning
- Trust planning
- Generation-skipping planning
- Charitable giving and charitable entities
- Succession planning for business owners, including buy-sell agreements
- Family limited partnerships, limited liability companies and closely held businesses
- Marital property agreements
- Estate administration and probate
- Preparation and filing of estate, inheritance and gift and generation-skipping tax returns
- Representation in estate and gift tax audits
- Litigation consulting
- Mediation, arbitration and litigation relating to all aspects of trust and estate disputes
News
News
- Eleven Attorneys Selected for the 2024 Texas Super Lawyers ListSeptember 17, 2024
- Houston Shareholders Among FinalistsAugust 22, 2024
- Atlanta Office a Top Workplaces 2024 HonoreeAugust 20, 2024
- Best Lawyers in America® recognizes 87 Chamberlain Hrdlicka attorneys in a peer selection process for the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers in AmericaAugust 15, 2024
- Chuck Rettig Adds Insights to Bloomberg Tax ArticleJuly 30, 2024
- Rettig Contributes to Tax Notes ArticleJuly 30, 2024
- The Firm Maintains and Adds New Private Wealth and Private Wealth Disputes Rankings in Texas and NationwideJuly 25, 2024
- Shareholder Chuck Rettig adds to discussion in FortuneJuly 22, 2024
- Charles Rettig Adds His Insight to Tax Notes ArticleJune 27, 2024
- Patrick W. Martin Quoted in Tax Notes Article on The IRS and Treasury Proposed Regulations on Foreign Trust and Foreign Gift and Bequest TransactionsJune 4, 2024
- On "Ask the CIO" Podcast, Former IRS CIO Nancy Sieger Acknowledges Charles Rettig's Leadership at the IRSJune 4, 2024
- Strong 2023 Performance Moves Chamberlain Hrdlicka into the Am Law 200 for the first timeMay 13, 2024
- Atlanta Business Chronicle 2023-2024 rankings lists Chamberlain HrdlickaApril 15, 2024
- Charles Rettig quoted in Journal of Accountancy articleMarch 26, 2024
- Chuck Rettig mentioned in CPA Practice AdvisorMarch 14, 2024
- Charles Rettig in Law360 Pulse articleMarch 6, 2024
- Charles Rettig article in the Texas LawyerMarch 5, 2024
- Charles Rettig, former IRS Commissioner, joins Chamberlain HrdlickaMarch 4, 2024
- San Antonio Business Journal includes Chamberlain Hrdlicka in 2024 Largest Law Firms ListJanuary 29, 2024
- Chamberlain Hrdlicka Continues Growth in Texas officesDecember 19, 2023
- 2023 Texas Super Lawyers includes Chamberlain Hrdlicka AttorneysSeptember 18, 2023
- Atlanta Office Expands with new AssociatesSeptember 11, 2023
- For the Third Straight Year, Chamberlain Hrdlicka an HBJ Best Place to WorkSeptember 7, 2023
- Best Lawyers in America® recognizes 87 Chamberlain Hrdlicka attorneys in a peer selection process for the 2024 edition of Best Lawyers in AmericaAugust 17, 2023
- Chamberlain Hrdlicka’s continued growth in Texas drives strategic office renovations in Houston and San AntonioAugust 4, 2023
- Chamberlain Hrdlicka's San Antonio Office expands space and updates officesAugust 1, 2023
- Chambers & Partners’ 2023 High Net Worth Guide ranks Larry Campagna & Brett BerlyJuly 21, 2023
- Chamberlain Hrdlicka Improves Practice and Individual Rankings in Chambers & Partners 2023 USA GuideChamberlain Hrdlicka ranked in the top ten U.S. tax law firms by Chambers & PartnersJune 2, 2023
- Article in Law360 discusses recent growth in Houston officeMay 22, 2023
- Houston office expands with recent new hires in 2023May 15, 2023
- Stuart Clements, Michael Feibus, Kelly Shields, Leo Unzeitig, and Brittney Williams named Texas Rising StarsMarch 22, 2023
- Emily Dabney's arrival to the firm was highlighted in an article in Law360 PulseLaw360 Pulse, March 7, 2023
- Emily Dabney joins Chamberlain Hrdlicka's Atlanta OfficeMarch 6, 2023
- Ryan Carlock and Sean Gannon are focus of Law360 Pulse article on joining Chamberlain HrdlickaLaw360, February 17, 2023
- Ryan Carlock joins Chamberlain Hrdlicka's Houston OfficeFebruary 15, 2023
- Attorneys in the Chamberlain Hrdlicka Atlanta, Houston and San Antonio offices elevated to Equity Shareholder and ShareholderFebruary 8, 2023
- Houston and San Antonio offices of Chamberlain Hrdlicka expand with recent new hiresJanuary 3, 2023
- Chamberlain Hrdlicka Attorney Jasmin Severino honored Among Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 40 Under 40Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 40 Under 40 honors Jasmin SeverinoNovember 8, 2022
- 2023 U.S. News - Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms" ranks Chamberlain HrdlickaNovember 3, 2022
- Houston Business Journal’s 2022 Best Places to Work includes Chamberlain Hrdlicka in Top 10November 1, 2022
- Chamberlain Hrdlicka Reception Hall debuts at University of Houston Law CenterSeptember 21, 2022
- 2022 Texas Super Lawyers includes Chamberlain Hrdlicka AttorneysSeptember 21, 2022
- Best Lawyers in America® recognizes 72 Chamberlain Hrdlicka attorneys in a peer selection process for the 2023 edition of Best Lawyers in AmericaAugust 18, 2022
- Scot Kirkpatrick quoted in Law360 article on “Attorneys Urge Caution For Online Estate Planning Tools”Law 360, August 9, 2022
- The Chamberlain Hrdlicka Tax Forum was held in Atlanta on June 23, 2022 at Crowne Plaza RaviniaJune 23, 2022
- Chamberlain Hrdlicka ranked in the top ten U.S. tax law firms by Chambers & Partners 2022 USA GuideJune 2, 2022
- Christine Borrett, John Fields, Christopher Hydrick, Karl Jackson, Jr., Tara LeDay, Michael Preng, Calla Sprague and Renu Tandale join Chamberlain Hrdlicka Houston OfficeMay 26, 2022
- Stuart Clements, Tres Gibbs, Jarrod Martin, Michael Overstreet, Kelly Shields, Matt Flores, and Leo Unzeitig named Texas Rising StarsMarch 22, 2022
- Jeffrey Della Rocco, Lauren Herrera, Jack Li, Jason Patton and Karen Tate join Chamberlain HrdlickaMarch 17, 2022
- David Calvillo, Erica Opitz, and Kellen Scott elevated to Equity Shareholders and Patrick McCann, Steven Wyatt, and Kelly Shields to ShareholdersFebruary 14, 2022
- Only 182 attorneys in Texas hold Tax Law Board CertificationJanuary 27, 2022
- Ali, Dean, Foreman, McMichael, Sima and Tate Join Chamberlain Houston OfficeDecember 21, 2021
- Chamberlain Hrdlicka increases and enhances listings in 2022 US News - Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms" RankingsNovember 4, 2021
- Best Lawyers in America® selects 54 Chamberlain Hrdlicka Attorneys for Recognition for 2022August 19, 2021
- Chamberlain Hrdlicka attorneys are ranked in Appellate, Commercial Litigation, Construction, Corporate, Criminal Defense, Employee Benefits, Energy, Immigration, Insurance, Intellectual Property, Labor & Employment, Real Estate, Tax, and Trust & EJune 22, 2021
- Best Lawyers in America names Chamberlain Hrdlicka attorneys in "Women in the Law" for 2021June 7, 2021
- Chamberlain Hrdlicka enhances Practice and Individual Rankings in Chambers & Partners 2021 USA GuideChambers & Partners 2021 List for Chamberlain Hrdlicka Practice and Individual RankingsJune 3, 2021
- Quote by Steve Wyatt on “Opportunity Zones Provide a Way to Hedge Expected Tax Hike"GlobeSt.com, May 5, 2021
- Jillian Foerster, Katherine Noll and Lauren Parker named to San Antonio's Outstanding Women in LawScene in San Antonio, April 23, 2021
- Super Lawyers names Chamberlain Hrdlicka Attorneys at 2021 Texas Rising StarsMarch 23, 2021
- Super Lawyers names Chamberlain Hrdlicka attorneys as 2021 Georgia Super Lawyers and Rising StarsFebruary 12, 2021
- Georgia Trend names Chamberlain Shareholders as 2020 "Legal Elite"Georgia Trend, December 1, 2020
- Houstonia Magazine names Chamberlain Attorneys as 2021 Top LawyersHoustonia Magazine, November 30, 2020
- Katherine Noll, Joshua Sutin, and Jaime Vasquez named to 2020 Top Attorneys by San Antonio MagazineSan Antonio Magazine, November 20, 2020
- Virtual This Year! Chamberlain Hrdlicka Virtual Annual Tax and Business Planning Seminar is November 10-12, 2020November 10, 2020
- Quote by Brett Berly in article on "Election Results ease Estate Tax Fears"Bloomberg Tax, November 9, 2020
- November 5, 2020
- Super Lawyers names Chamberlain Hrdlicka Attorneys as 2020 Texas Super LawyersOctober 19, 2020
- Christopher Steele is a presenter at the 2020 LiveXchange Virtual EventBusiness Facilities, September 30, 2020
- Chamberlain Hrdlicka Attorneys Recognized by San Antonio Scene MagazineSan Antonio Scene Magazine, August 3, 2020
- July 17, 2020
- Brett Berly quoted in "Virus Chaos Creates Opening for Millionaires to Slash Tax Bills"Bloomberg Tax, April 20, 2020
- Scot Kirkpatrick quoted in "More Georgians rushing to write wills during coronavirus pandemic"Atlanta Journal-Constitution, April 17, 2020
- Chamberlain Trust & Estates Update - April 17, 2020April 17, 2020
- Chamberlain Trust and Estates UpdateApril 6, 2020
- 2020 Georgia Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Named at Chamberlain HrdlickaMarch 4, 2020
- February 13, 2020
- The Mid-Market Report, January 9, 2020
- Georgia Trend, December 2019
- December 2019
- November 12, 2019
- November 6, 2019
- US News, November 2019
- October 30, 2019
- Houston Business Journal, September 23, 2019
- Attorneys with national law firm Chamberlain Hrdlicka have been selected to the 2019 Texas Super Lawyers listSeptember 3, 2019
- August 15, 2019
- August 12, 2019
- Atlanta Business Chronicle, May 21, 2019
- May 15, 2019
- May 10, 2019
- Fiduciary News, April 23, 2019
- March 26, 2019
- March 7, 2019
- February 7, 2019
- Trusts & Estates, December 17, 2018
- Chamberlain Hrdlicka again named a "Best Law Firm" by US NewsNovember 1, 2018
- October 12, 2018
- October 12, 2018
- MarketWatch, April 19, 2018
- Stewart M. Weintraub Named 2017 AV Top-Rated Lawyer in Real Estate Law by Martindale-Hubbell and ALMChamberlain Hrdlicka state and local tax (SALT) practice chair recognized in special section in American Lawyer, Corporate Counsel and National Law Journal
- National law firm achieves top rankings in tax law, tax litigation and trust and estates law
- Chamberlain Hrdlicka Attorneys Ranked in Construction, Litigation – Construction, Eminent Domain & Condemnation, Employee Benefits (ERISA), Government Relations, Immigration, Tax, Litigation and Controversy - Tax, and Trust & Estates CategoriesAugust 2017
- Stewart M. Weintraub and Kenneth I. Trujillo recognized among top lawyers in Pennsylvania
- Attorneys Ranked in Tax, Construction, Trust and Estates, Employee Benefits and Immigration CategoriesJune 22, 2017
- The Street, June 14, 2017
- Stewart M. Weintraub and Kenneth I. Trujillo recognized among top lawyers in Pennsylvania
- Chamberlain Hrdlicka state and local tax (SALT) practice chair was the overall chair of the annual ABA/IPT Advanced Tax Seminars
- U.S. News & World Report recognizes Chamberlain Hrdlicka attorneys in practice areas of construction law, employee benefits, immigration law, tax litigation and controversy, and trusts and estates.
- Lawyers from the Philadelphia office of Chamberlain Hrdlicka presented at a seminar discussing strategies for attorneys and accountants who advise business ownersJanuary 2014
- J. Scot Kirkpatrick of Chamberlain Hrdlicka law firm weighs in on taxes and estate planning.November 2013
- August 2011
- October 2008
Presentations
Seminars & Presentations
- Register now for Chamberlain Hrdlicka's 47th Annual Houston Tax and Business Planning SeminarThe Houstonian Hotel 111 N. Post Oak Lane Houston, Texas 77024, October 30, 2024
- GST for DummiesAustin, Texas, September 20, 2024
- Keynote Address: Experience and Legacy in the Tax WorldLas Vegas, Nevada, September 18, 2024
- Aly Dossa, Jennifer Karpchuk, Michael Overstreet, Nicole Shanklin & Joshua Sutin presenting: 2024 New Year, New Issues: A Day In the Life of The C-SuiteVirtual Webinar, February 6, 2024
- Chamberlain Hrdlicka Annual Tax and Business Planning Seminar will present a variety of important and timely topicsWestin Perimeter, 7 Concourse Pkwy, Atlanta, GA, November 29, 2023
- Chamberlain Hrdlicka Annual Tax and Business Planning Seminar will present a variety of important and timely TopicsThe Houstonian, 111 North Post Oak Lane, November 1, 2023
- Chamberlain Hrdlicka Forum Series: Like Nails on a Chalkboard: Irritating, Aggravating, and Altogether Annoying Generation Skipping Trust Issues at the Houstonian HotelThe Houstonian Hotel, 111 N Post Oak Ln. Houston, Texas 77024, September 7, 2023
- Presentation by Joshua Sutin on top retirement plan and welfare plan compliance issues clients should be consideringThe Club At Sonterra, San Antonio, TX, August 29, 2023
- Chamberlain Hrdlicka Brownsville Tax and International Business Planning Seminar at the Rancho Viejo Resort & Country Club on May 25, 2023May 25, 2023
- The University of San Diego School of Law & Chamberlain Hrdlicka International Tax Institute in Mexico City on May 5, 2023Club de Industriales A.C. Mexico City, May 5, 2023
- Chamberlain Hrdlicka will host Laredo Tax and Business Planning Seminar at the Laredo Country Club on November 8, 2022November 8, 2022
- Chamberlain Hrdlicka will have our 5th Annual San Antonio Tax and Business Planning Seminar at The St. Anthony Hotel on November 3, 2022November 3, 2022
- The Houstonian on October 27, 2022
- Chamberlain Hrdlicka's Tax Forum in Atlanta on June 23, 2022Crowne Plaza at Ravinia,4355 Ashford Dunwoody Rd NE Atlanta, GA 30346, June 23, 2022
- 43rd Annual Tax and Business Planning Virtual Seminar is on November 2-4, 2021November 4, 2021
- November 10, 2020
- Free Webinar on New Legal Considerations for Opening Up Your Business During a PandemicOnline Webinar, June 11, 2020
- Free Webinar on Top Legal Traps for Opening Up Your Business in a PandemicOnline Webinar, June 3, 2020
- Free Webinar on Top Legal Traps for Opening Up Your Business in a PandemicOnline Webinar, May 28, 2020
- November 12, 2019
- Wyndham San Antonio Riverwalk, November 6, 2019
- Norris Conference Center at City Centre, October 30, 2019
- Opportunities v. Exchanges - Eenie, Meenie, Miney, Moe ...Cobb Galleria, 2 Galleria Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30339, July 10, 2019
- Navigating the Maze – Understanding the Most Recent Changes to the Tax Cut and Jobs ActCobb Galleria, 2 Galleria Parkway, April 23, 2019
- The Four Seasons Philadelphia, May 30, 2012
Publications
Publications
- Stephen Heymann and Emily Dabney's article “Crucial wealth preservation strategies for 2023,” in Financial PlanningFinancial Planning, August 9, 2023
- Tom Cullinan, Scot Kirkpatrick, Steve Wyatt, Asher Fried and Emily Dabney's article “Some CRATs Are in the Crosshairs, Yet CRTs Remain Viable,” in Tax Notes Federal and Tax Notes StateTax Notes Federal and Tax Notes State, August 7, 2023
- Stewart Weintraub's article "Being a New Partner: Techniques for Developing a Client Base" in The Legal IntelligencerThe Legal Intelligencer, February 3, 2023
- Scot Kirkpatrick, Stephen Heymann and Jasmin Severino’s article, “Year-End Estate and Gift Tax Planning for Tax Professionals,” in Bloomberg TaxBloomberg Tax, December 14, 2022
- Scot Kirkpatrick, Stephen Heymann and Jasmin Severino's article on “All in the Family – Transition Strategies for Family Businesses” in Bloomberg TaxBloomberg Tax, November 9, 2022
- Scot Kirkpatrick and Stephen Heymann's article on “The Marquis Fiduciary” in Thomson Reuters Estate Planning Journal and Journal of International Taxation (JOIT)Thomson Reuters Estate Planning Journal and Journal of International Taxation (JOIT), November 2, 2022
- Christine Borrett and Ross Holley article on “How to Continue Your Business’s Legacy With Advanced Planning”Bloomberg Tax, September 8, 2022
- Stuart Clement’s article, “Investing in Yourself To Stand Out as a Lawyer,” published in Texas LawyerTexas Lawyer, September 1, 2022
- Stuart Clements and Alissa Gipson article on "Father and Mother Know Best: Juggling Parenting, Working and Learning Your Firm's Work Policies"Texas Lawyer, May 19, 2022
- Stuart Clements article on "Did COVID-19 Improve Our Productivity? After Doing It For Almost Two Years, A Defense Of Remote Work"Texas Lawyer, February 7, 2022
- Stewart Weintraub article on "The New Workplace World"The Legal Intelligencer, February 3, 2022
- Article by Steven Wyatt on “Opportunity Zones: Boom or Bust?”Business Facilities, October 2021
- Article by Jasmin Severino Hernandez and Christopher Steele on “Window of opportunity for opportunity zones may be closing"Accounting Today, May 5, 2021
- Article by Christopher Steele and Jasmin Severino Hernandez on “Opportunity Zones in 2021 and Beyond"Tax Notes State and Tax Notes Federal, April 26, 2021
- Article by Christopher Steele and Jasmin Severino Hernandez on “There’s Still Time To Invest In Qualified Opportunity Zones”Business Facilities, August 2020
- Article by Phil Karter, Scot Kirkpatrick and Pat McCann on “IRS Letter 6336: To Respond or Not to Respond, That Is the Question”Tax Notes Federal, June 1, 2020
- Article by Thomas Jones and Jasmin Severino Hernandez on "Pandemic Provides Challenges and Opportunities for Estate Planning"The Daily Report, May 14, 2020
- Article by Scot Kirkpatrick and Steven Wyatt on "Estate Planning Tips and Updates"ThinkAdvisor, March 25, 2020
- Article by Christopher Steele and Steve Wyatt on “Predicting and Preparing for The Estate and Gift Tax”Current Accounts, March 10, 2020
- The Daily Report, November 30, 2018
- Estate Planning, October 1, 2017