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Estate Tax Planning

Estate Tax, Business & Wealth Preservation Planning

Preserve More of Your Estate with Estate Tax Planning

Estate Tax Planning helps reduce Estate Tax exposure so more of your wealth goes to the people and causes you care about. Through trusts, gifting strategies, and coordinated planning, we’ll help create a tax-conscious estate plan built around your long-term goals.

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What it does

Reduce Tax Exposure While Preserving More Wealth

Estate Tax Planning helps clients prepare for potential federal Estate Tax, Gift Tax, and other tax exposure that can affect how much of an estate is passed to beneficiaries. The goal is to structure your estate plan so more of your wealth goes to your loved ones, charities, or chosen beneficiaries. Depending on your needs, your comprehensive estate plan may include irrevocable trusts, gifting strategies, business planning, and other advanced Estate Tax Planning techniques.

Who it’s for

Is Estate Tax Planning Right for You?

Estate Tax Planning may be the right choice if you:
  • Want to put your wishes in writing, choose who inherits your assets, or name a personal representative to administer your estate.
  • Want to name a guardian for your minor children or other dependents instead of leaving that decision to the courts.
  • Are an Arizona homeowner, an unmarried partner, or part of a blended family and don’t want important decisions left to Arizona probate laws.
  • Have an estate below Arizona’s probate threshold ($200,000 in personal property or $300,000 in real estate) and are comfortable with beneficiaries receiving their inheritance outright.
  • Are creating a trust-based estate plan and need a pour-over will to help direct assets left outside your trust.

How it works

Our Six-Step Process

  • 1

    Schedule Your Free Consultation

    Meet with one of our attorneys to discuss your estate, business interests, and Estate Tax Planning goals.

  • 2

    Review Your Estate

    We’ll review your current estate plan, asset ownership, estimated estate value, and existing planning strategies to identify potential Estate Tax exposure.

  • 3

    Identify Tax Planning Opportunities

    We’ll identify tax-saving opportunities and coordinate with your financial advisor or other professionals when appropriate.

  • 4

    Develop Your Estate Tax Strategy

    We’ll recommend planning techniques designed to reduce Estate Tax exposure while supporting your long-term goals.

  • 5

    Prepare & Review Your Documents

    We’ll prepare the appropriate legal documents, review your plan with you, answer your questions, and ensure everything works together.

  • 6

    Keep Your Plan Current

    We’ll help you review and update your Estate Tax Planning strategy as laws, assets, and family circumstances change.

45+
Years Serving Arizona
9
Offices Statewide
3rd
Generation Family Firm
100%
Estate Planning Focus

What's included

Documents you receive.

  • Revocable Living Trusts with A-B Tax Planning

    Coordinate trusts to help reduce potential Estate Tax exposure for married couples.

  • Lifetime Gifting Strategies

    Transfer assets during your lifetime using tax-conscious gifting techniques.

  • Irrevocable Trusts

    Use irrevocable trusts to support long-term Estate Tax Planning goals.

  • Business Entities & LLCs

    Coordinate business entities with your Estate Tax Planning strategy where appropriate.

  • Business Succession Planning

    Develop a tax-conscious plan for transferring business ownership.

  • Inheritance Trust Planning

    Help preserve inherited assets while supporting future generations.

  • Tax-Conscious Planning

    Incorporate strategies designed to reduce unnecessary Estate Tax exposure.

Why Phelps LaClair

Estate Tax Planning Backed by Tax Experience

Jeff LaClair has a strong tax background in estate planning, wealth preservation planning, and an LL.M. in Taxation with a specialization in Estate Planning from New York University.

For more than 45 years, we’ve helped Arizona families with estates of every size understand how Estate Tax Planning works in practice.

We emphasize proactive planning because many Estate Tax Planning strategies are most effective when implemented early and reviewed throughout your lifetime.

What it costs

Transparent Pricing You Can Count On

Custom Quote

Pricing depends on your assets, Estate Tax Planning goals, and the strategies needed to accomplish them. We’ll provide a flat-fee quote during your free consultation, so you’ll know the cost before any work begins.

Common questions

Your Estate Tax Planning Questions, Answered

  • No. Arizona does not currently have a separate Estate Tax, but federal Estate Tax may still apply to larger estates.

  • Not every estate owes federal Estate Tax. Whether it applies depends on the size of your taxable estate, the federal exemption amount in effect, and how your estate plan is structured.

  • The earlier, the better. Many Estate Tax Planning strategies—including gifting, irrevocable trusts, and business planning—are most effective when implemented before there’s an urgent need.

  • No. While federal Estate Tax generally affects larger estates, Estate Tax Planning can also benefit business owners, real estate investors, and individuals with growing assets who want to transfer wealth more efficiently.

  • Possibly. Depending on your goals, Lifetime Gifting Strategies may reduce the size of your taxable estate while allowing you to transfer wealth during your lifetime as part of a coordinated Estate Tax Planning strategy.

This information is educational and not a substitute for advice from a licensed Arizona attorney.

Often paired with

Related Estate & Business Planning Services

Get started

Personalized Guidance Starts Here

Meet with one of our attorneys to discuss your situation, your assets, and what matters most to you. We'll answer your questions and provide clear, upfront pricing with no obligation.

Schedule your consultation