HIGH NET WORTH
A Wealth of Possibilities


The world can be an exceedingly complicated place when significant wealth is involved. Navigating intricate tax and asset-protection strategies. Developing financial, estate, and philanthropic-giving plans. Coordinating the activities of your professional advisors. Even finding help with the mundane everyday aspects of life to simplify, and free up time for family and personal interests.

The responsibilities are often complex and time-consuming―and sometimes downright overwhelming. It’s difficult to go it alone.

We assist some of the region’s most prominent professionals, company executives, business owners, affluent families and family offices, estates, and trusts in managing, preserving and transitioning wealth.

A Personalized and Integrated Approach
We can prepare your annual tax returns and financial statements, but our affluent clients generally require more. As your personal advisors, we offer you an integrated, holistic approach to managing your wealth throughout the year. One that is specifically tailored to reflect your hopes and circumstances, and the things that matter to you.

We merge traditional financial, tax and wealth planning services with the strategic and advisory services that establish where you want to go and how to get you there. We work collaboratively with your existing investment advisors and other professionals. And should you have a need for additional outside resources, we work closely with some of the region’s best attorneys, bankers and investment advisors.

An Independent Perspective
To ensure that we exercise independent judgment and always operate only in your best interests, we never sell products, recommend specific investments, or accept commissions. 

High Net Worth Services
As a client of our high net worth practice, you'll benefit from services in the following categories:
 

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Tax Compliance and Planning

• Federal, state, local and international tax returns for individuals, estates and trusts 
• Estimated tax planning 
• Strategic planning to minimize the impact of taxes for federal, state, local and international jurisdictions―including the impact of the alternative minimum tax (AMT)
• Tax basis planning/at risk issues
• Net operating loss consulting
• Household employee tax consultation
• Domestic partnerships
• Foreign tax credit planning
• Representation in Internal Revenue Service examinations

Accounting and Financial Management

• Personal and family financial statements
• Budgeting and expenditure analysis, including major transactions
• Lease vs buy consulting
• Accounting and bookkeeping services, including check writing 
• Hosted, online accounting

Wealth Planning

• Budgeting and cash flow planning
• Education funding
• Retirement planning
• Family limited partnerships and limited liability companies
• Charitable remainder trusts and annuities
• Grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATs)
• Revocable and irrevocable trusts
• Qualified residence trust planning

Estate Planning

• Estate and legacy strategy and planning
• Charitable trusts
• Tax return preparation

Philanthropy

• Gift planning and gift tax returns
• Personal and family foundations

Compensation, Stock Options and Fringe Benefits

• Review of compensation agreements
• Bonus planning
• Stock option planning and analysis
• Structuring 10(b)(5)(1) programs
• Family and nonfamily compensation consulting

Investment Consulting

• Real estate investments consulting
• General portfolio and investment monitoring

(We do not provide advice regarding specific investments.)

Asset Protection and Risk Management

• Liability protection planning
• Disability and health planning
• Insurance coverage
• Divorce planning, and premarital and postmarital agreements
• Bankruptcy consulting
• Foreign assets

New Business Ventures

• Entity planning and structuring
• Financing and investment strategies
• Strategic and business planning

Family Offices

• Strategic planning and goal setting
• Family controllership, financial analysis and financial statement preparation
• Centralized bookkeeping services, including bill paying, payroll preparation, and assistance to internal accounting staff
• Tax planning―including intra-family strategies―and preparation of tax returns
• Family philanthropy planning and coordination
• Investment monitoring
• Risk management consulting, including liability protection and insurance oversight
• Assistance with hiring family office coordinators and other significant positions
• Family meeting planning, attendance, presentations and facilitation 
• Mentoring and educating younger family members

FROM THE eLIBRARY BLOG

Are Your Fringe Benefits Taxable? What Partners, LLC Members and S Corporation Shareholders Need to Know

Employee or Independent Contractor? The IRS Wants to Know

Hiring a Qualified Veteran? IRS Extends Key Deadline for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit

Have a Trust or an Estate with Investment Income? A Little Tax Planning May Reduce Your Medicare Surtax

Quick-Reference Guide for 2013 and (Revised) 2012 Tax Deductions and Limits

Simple Gifting Strategies for 2012 and Beyond

National Estate Planning Awareness Week: 6 Simple Steps You Can Take Now to Protect Your Loved Ones

Underwater on Your Mortgage? Federal Tax Exemption for Mortgage Debt Forgiveness Expires This Year

Starting a New Business Venture? What to Know About Choosing the Right Entity

Year-End Tax Planning Series: Know What’s Slated to Change for 2013?

Affected by Recent Updates to Washington’s Trust Law?

Thinking About Refinancing Your Home?

Someone Else Filing a Tax Return in Your Name? Learn More about This Form of Identity Theft

Another Voluntary Disclosure Program for Foreign Assets? What You Need to Know

Know About the New IRS Rules for Reporting Foreign Financial Assets?

Wondering About the New Federal Tax Deductions and Limits for 2012?

Thinking About Buying Your Kid a Condo for College Living?

Still Planning to Upgrade Your Home’s Energy Efficiency? Time Is Running Out on the Federal Tax Credit

Know the New Tax Rules for Business Use of a Cell Phone?

Are Your Files and Records Really Safe?

Want to Maximize the Potential Tax Benefits of Gifting? 

Who Will Care for Your Children if You Can't?

Need Better, Safer Passwords?

Own an Offshore Bank Account or Other Financial Account?

Aware of the IRS e-Filing Requirements for Individuals, Estates and Trusts?

In a Washington Registered Domestic Partnership?

Receiving Compensation as a Corporate Director?

Ready for the Medicare Contribution Tax on Investment Income?

What If...?

Considered the Benefits of Estate Planning in a Down Economy?

Losing Money in the Stock Market?

Have a Foreign Bank Account, Brokerage Account, Hedge Fund or Mutual Fund?

Donating to Charity?

Naming the Right Beneficiary for Your Retirement Plan?



RESOURCES + TOOLS

2012 Federal Tax Limits and Deductions

2011 Federal Tax Calendar

2011 Federal Tax Limits and Deductions

Lifetime Planning Tool

Dealing with the Death of a Loved One
[Estate Planning Council of Seattle]

The Fiduciary's Handbook
[Estate Planning Council of Seattle]

Guide to Estate Planning
[Estate Planning Council of Seattle]