- GuardianshipAs the parents of Baby Boomers are transferring their wealth to their children, and as the Baby Boomers consider how and when to transfer their wealth to younger generations, estate planning has never been more important. We understand the inherent challenges and complexities involved in critical matters such as wills, trust management, guardianships, bequests and funeral arrangements. As we work with you, we focus on two primary objectives: (1) ensuring that the right people receive the right assets at the right time, and (2) minimizing the taxes triggered upon a client’s death and thereafter.
- Corporate LawWe assist clients in deciding whether to form a corporation, limited liability company (LLC), or a general or limited partnership. We also assist in decision-making, preparing partnership agreements, shareholder agreements and operating agreements that govern the relationships among owners, as well as employment and non-competition agreements and other business contracts. A well thought out agreement among owners of a business can avoid or minimize the opportunities for future disputes.
- Business Transactions
- Real Estate TransactionsAlmost all business transactions and real estate transactions have income tax consequences. At Cohen & Caproni, our staff includes attorneys who are also licensed as CPAs or have specialized, advanced degrees in tax law. Our uniquely experienced team can provide financial insight, while guiding you through the legal process. Whether you are selling a business or real estate or making or receiving a gift, you can be certain that Cohen & Caproni will assist you in finding the best tax solution for your situation.
- Estate PlanningFamily owned businesses create special opportunities. The business is often the primary source of the family’s net worth and income. Proper planning can improve the chances that the business can continue to grow and prosper, even as the founders wind down their involvement and pass the business to the next generation (if such a decision is appropriate). The owners of a family business should also coordinate their business needs and objectives with their estate planning desires and our attorneys can assist clients in that process.
- Wills
- Tax LawTax planning includes choosing what sort of business entity to use. For example, a C corporation pays its own income taxes; its shareholders owe no tax on its earnings unless and until dividends are paid. In contrast, an S corporation, a partnership, or an LLC will generally be treated as a “pass through” entity. Owners of these entities will owe taxes on the profits of the business whether or not the profits are actually distributed to them. Similarly, if a business suffers taxable losses, a C corporation can use its losses to reduce the corporation’s tax liabilities (through so-called loss carrybacks or carryforwards), but its shareholders will receive no direct benefit from the current tax losses. If, however, the business is operated by a pass through entity, the owners may be able to offset their losses against income from other sources (subject to a number of possible technical limitations). Good tax planning requires the exploration of all of these options before creating the entity.