Estate Tax Planning

Many people engage in estate planning to determine how their assets, such as real estate, financial accounts, investments and personal belongings, are arranged and distributed upon their death or incapacitation. A crucial aspect to consider is how these assets will be taxed.

Estate tax planning is the process of organizing and structuring an estate to minimize the impact of taxation. An effective estate tax plan is essential for preserving wealth for beneficiaries, who are individuals or entities designated to receive the assets from the estate.

If you are in or near Burlingame, California, the experienced wealth, estate and business attorneys at Barulich Dugoni Suttmann & Cummins can help minimize the tax burden on your estate.

We Help Protect Your Assets From Taxes

Federal and state estate taxes are paid directly from the estate — before the distribution of the remaining assets to your beneficiaries. A BDSC estate tax lawyer can collaborate with you to develop a strategic plan to keep taxes from shrinking the value of your assets.

While California does not implement a state estate tax, California residents are subject to the federal estate tax rate, which, as of 2025, is 40% on assets worth at least $13.99 million.

Craft an Effective Tax Estate Planning Strategy

Your BDSC estate planning and tax attorney has an in-depth understanding of the tax laws that apply to estates in California. Through careful estate planning, we will identify the areas that will impact your situation. We’ll develop a comprehensive strategy that can help you minimize or avoid federal estate taxes, which can include components such as:

Grantor-retained annuity trusts (GRAT): A GRAT enables the contribution of assets in exchange for an annuity paid out over a specified period of time. Upon the final payment, any remaining principal passes to the beneficiaries, who should not be required to pay a gift tax.
Irrevocable life insurance trusts (ILIT): An ILIT provides life insurance proceeds that pass to the heirs on a tax-free basis. A spousal lifetime access trust (SLAT) is an irrevocable trust that provides an income to the individual’s spouse while removing assets from the taxable estate.
Charitable lead annuity trusts (CLAT): A CLAT enables individuals to transfer a portion of their assets to a trust, which pays an annuity to a charity for a specific time frame.

Why Trust Us?

As a boutique law firm that focuses on estate planning, BDSC has the knowledge and experience to help you navigate complex tax issues when preparing your estate. Your estate planning tax attorney will collaborate with you, your accountant and other members of your financial team to craft a targeted tax reduction strategy that fits your unique circumstances.

Our strong focus on client service ensures you receive the close attention you deserve. Our flat fee structure results in predictable costs, providing a more efficient and transparent legal experience.